Overview
- Meta moved the Phoenix launch from the second half of 2026 to the first half of 2027, according to internal memos reported by multiple outlets.
- Vice President Maher Saba told staff the change reflects Mark Zuckerberg’s directive to pursue higher-quality experiences and a more sustainable Reality Labs business.
- Executives Gabriel Aul and Ryan Cairns said the goal is a fully polished, reliable product rather than new features, describing the extra time as needed to land significant core UX changes.
- With Phoenix postponed, Meta is reportedly targeting 2026 for a limited-edition wearable dubbed “Malibu 2” and a next-generation Quest headset with a major capabilities upgrade.
- Prototype descriptions reportedly point to lightweight glasses that use an external processing puck and run Horizon OS, with more modest specs for broader accessibility as Reality Labs faces reported cost tightening.