Meta is delaying the debut of its next mixed reality device. The change follows an internal update that confirms a Meta mixed reality delay affecting the project known as Phoenix. Instead of arriving in 2026, the headset is now planned for the first half of 2027. Business Insider reported the shift after reviewing company memos shared with employees.
Internal memos confirm Meta mixed reality delay
The delay was outlined in a note from Maher Saba, vice president of Reality Labs Foundation. He stated that Phoenix will not meet the original target window. His memo confirms that the project needs more time before it is ready for release.
A second memo from executives Gabriel Aul and Ryan Cairns expanded on this. They wrote that the new schedule will help deliver a more “polished and reliable experience.” They also said the longer window “gives us more breathing room to get this right.” These statements suggest that the decision centers on product quality, not external market changes.
What Phoenix may offer at launch
Meta has not shared many details about Phoenix. However, earlier reporting from The Information offered a small preview. According to those reports, the device could take on a goggle-like form. It may also use an external power source, similar to the Apple Vision Pro’s battery pack.
If correct, the design would place Phoenix in the premium mixed reality category. Meta already sells VR headsets and smart glasses, but Phoenix appears aimed at a more advanced segment. The added development time may help refine both ergonomics and performance.
Meta expands its hardware pipeline
The internal memo from Saba also mentioned another device. It uses the codename Malibu 2 and is described as a “limited edition” wearable. No further details were provided. Still, its mention signals that Meta is exploring more than one product direction at the same time.
The timing also aligns with Meta’s recent acquisition of Limitless. The startup built an AI wearable called Pendant. The purchase hints at broader ambitions in AI-driven hardware. With Phoenix, Malibu 2, and Limitless under its umbrella, Meta now appears to be widening its long-term hardware strategy.
Why the Meta mixed reality delay matters
The Meta mixed reality delay comes at a moment when the entire MR market is shifting. Several major companies are adjusting roadmaps and rethinking devices. Meta’s decision reflects that same trend. Instead of rushing a launch, the company is choosing additional development time.
This also reduces pressure on internal teams. Meta continues to develop VR headsets, smart glasses, AR concepts, and now AI wearables. Extending the Phoenix timeline may help balance resources across these efforts.
A long-term view of Meta’s device roadmap
Meta has made clear that it intends to build next-generation computing platforms. Phoenix is one piece of that plan. The delay allows the company to refine software, hardware, and system integration before release. It may also open room for improved components or new features.
The addition of Malibu 2 and Limitless technology suggests that Meta’s future devices could blend MR, AI, and everyday wearables more tightly. As a result, the Phoenix delay looks less like a setback and more like a strategic adjustment.
Looking ahead to 2027
Meta has not publicly commented on the internal memos. Still, the updated timeline shows that the company wants a smoother and more reliable launch. With the mixed reality market evolving quickly, Meta’s choices over the next year will shape how Phoenix competes when it arrives.
The 2027 window now marks the next major milestone in Meta’s MR roadmap.
Read also
Join the discussion in our Facebook community.