Meta Delays Phoenix Mixed-Reality Glasses Launch to 2027
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| Photo Credits: NovaPovNP |
The decision followed feedback from CEO Mark Zuckerberg during a recent meeting and aims to ensure higher quality in the product.
The glasses feature a goggle-like design connected to a separate puck for power and computing, which helps maintain a lighter weight and prevents overheating compared to standalone devices.
They weigh around 100 grams and offer lower-resolution displays along with reduced computing performance relative to Apple's Vision Pro headset.
In an internal memo, metaverse leaders Gabriel Aul and Ryan Cairns explained the adjustment by stating:
"There's a lot coming in hot with tight bring-up schedules and big changes to our core UX, and we won't compromise on landing a fully polished and reliable experience."
A separate memo from Vice President of Reality Labs Foundation Maher Saba emphasized that the extended timeline does not allow for adding extra features or expanding work scopes.
The delay occurs as Meta considers budget reductions of up to 30 percent in its Reality Labs division, which develops Quest headsets, smart glasses with Ray-Ban maker EssilorLuxottica, and augmented-reality products.
Meta also plans a limited-edition wearable device code-named Malibu 2 for 2026 and has begun development on a next-generation Quest headset centered on immersive gaming with improved capabilities.
Aul and Cairns added in their memo that the postponement is "going to give us a lot more breathing room to get the details right."
Meta's Phoenix glasses blend augmented and virtual reality to enable interactions between real-world and digital elements.
The product had previously carried the code name Puffin before the switch to Phoenix.
