Meta is once again getting ready to launch a Meta smartwatch in 2026. An article claims that the company was going to develop the device after canceling it earlier. This time, they plan on launching it to coincide with the year 2026.
The smartwatch project was originally cancelled by Meta when they were trimming costs and concentrating on virtual reality, so it seems as though they may want to move forward and attempt to develop a new Meta wearable device again, and if they succeed at launching it into an already saturated market that has many other competitors like Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, and other leading smartwatches.
The Meta Smartwatch Plan Was Stopped Before
Meta worked on developing a watch that would compete with Apple’s Watch several years ago. There were reports during that time that the watch might have some type of camera features built into it as well. However, the watch project was later discarded as a result of Meta making a move to cut expenses and focus on their business in a different direction.
According to new reports, the smartwatch project is now back on. Meta is doing new internal development, aiming for a release in 2026.
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Why Meta Is Giving It Another Shot
Meta has gradually established itself as a company that produces its own line of hardware. They’ve previously sold Meta Quest VR headsets and Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, but now they are adding to this with a smartwatch that aligns with Meta’s broader hardware ecosystem strategy. There may be several reasons as to why Meta sees the benefit of having users wear smartwatches.
Users can also use smartwatches to help track their daily activity, receive incoming calls, get notifications from applications, and reply to incoming messages quickly. Additionally, users who wear a smartwatch may be building an even stronger connection with Meta’s platforms (i.e., Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp).
Meta’s objective may be to replace reliance on smartphones by providing another device from which users will be able to access Meta’s products – potentially a device worn on the user’s wrist.
What the Meta Smartwatch 2026 Could Offer
We don’t have a whole lot of detailed information yet; however, we do have some basic information that can give you a good idea of what the watch should look like and some of the features.
Health and Fitness Tracking
One of the things we expect to see when this watch comes out is health tracking, like heart rate and other fitness-related information.
Communication Features
We expect that there will also be message alerts, support for making phone calls, and app notifications
Camera Integration
We think that it is likely that Meta may also include camera support again, as this was something that was present in the earlier version of the watch.
Meta AI Integration
We may see AI features as well since Meta has been adding features to all of its other apps that utilize AI technologies. A smartwatch may provide users with an easier way to access these features. Battery life and usability are expected to factor into the evaluation process and could impact many consumers’ ultimate purchase decisions.
Many people anticipate that a smartwatch will last all day long, every day, without requiring recharging; thus, battery life will be an important component of a consumer’s evaluation of their potential purchase.
Tough Competition in the Market
The smartwatch market competition is already intense. Apple leads with the Apple Watch. Samsung and other brands also have strong products in different price ranges. If Facebook smartwatch wants to succeed, it cannot just launch a basic watch. It needs something that feels useful and different.
Camera support or better social media integration could help it stand out. But everything will depend on execution.
Part of Meta’s Bigger Hardware Plan
Meta is no longer just a social media company. Over the past few years, it has invested heavily in devices. It sells VR headsets under the Meta Quest name. It has also partnered with Ray-Ban to launch smart glasses.
Adding a smartwatch would expand its hardware lineup further. This also gives Meta more control over how users access its apps and services.
2026 Is Still Far Away
The expected launch is still two years away. A lot can change before then. Tech companies often test projects internally before making final decisions. There is no guarantee yet that the smartwatch will reach stores. But restarting the project shows that Meta still sees value in the wearable space.
What This Means
Meta is not giving up on hardware. The company has cancelled its first attempt at creating a smartwatch, but it’s now taking another run at it. If it can make a smartwatch that meets the standards of being easy to use, provides utility, and integrates smoothly with the existing apps built for Meta, the company could carve out some market share.
The smartwatches will be introduced in 2026, so that’s when all attention will be on the fate of Meta’s second entry into this category.