Meta Smartwatch With Camera for AI Glasses Debuts September

The race for wrist real estate just intensified. Meta is developing a groundbreaking smartwatch featuring an integrated camera, aiming to dethrone Apple and Samsung with advanced AI capabilities and seamless integration with its upcoming smart glasses, according to internal documents obtained by Techlusive.

Meta Smartwatch

The Camera-Equipped Wearable
Positioned as Meta’s most ambitious hardware project since Ray-Ban Stories, the device features a discreet circular camera lens embedded in the watch bezel. Unlike conventional smartwatches, this allows instant photo/video capture without reaching for a phone. Early prototypes suggest advanced computational photography capabilities optimized for wrist-level perspectives. Industry analysts note this directly addresses a key Apple Watch limitation. As TechInsights reported in June 2025, “Camera functionality remains the last frontier for mainstream smartwatches.”

AI and Ecosystem Integration
Meta’s watch leverages their LLaMA-4 AI model for real-time health diagnostics and contextual assistance. Key innovations include:

• Health Monitoring 2.0: Advanced sensors track blood glucose non-invasively (pending FDA approval)
• Gesture Control: Navigate interfaces via finger motions detected by the camera
• Smart Glasses Synergy: One-tap transfer of visual data to Meta’s AR glasses ecosystem

Internal testing shows 40% faster response times for ChatGPT-powered queries compared to Wear OS devices, per leaked performance benchmarks.

Market Disruption Strategy Meta aims to undercut premium rivals with aggressive pricing:	Feature	Meta Watch (Est.)	Apple Watch Series 10	Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Camera	Yes	No	No
Glucose Monitoring	Yes	Limited (via accessory)	No
Starting Price	$349	$799	$699

“The integrated camera creates entirely new use cases,” notes wearable tech analyst Rajeev Sharma. “Imagine documenting accidents during runs, translating foreign menus instantly, or capturing spontaneous moments hands-free.”

Privacy Safeguards
Addressing surveillance concerns, Meta confirms:

• Physical camera shutter switch
• LED indicator when recording
• On-device AI processing for 90% of camera functions
• Compliance with EU’s Digital Markets Act biometric regulations

The Federal Trade Commission has reportedly opened preliminary discussions about data collection parameters, according to July 2025 filings.

Availability
Targeted Q4 2026 release, pending FCC certification. Early developer units ship this October with specialized APIs for mixed-reality integrations.

Must Know

Q: Will the Meta smartwatch work with iPhones?
A: Initial documentation suggests Android/iOS compatibility, but advanced camera/AI features may require Meta’s Horizon OS. Full cross-platform support remains unconfirmed.

Q: How does glucose monitoring work without blood samples?
A: It uses multi-spectral sensors analyzing interstitial fluid through skin. Accuracy rates in trials reached 92% compared to finger-prick tests (Journal of Medical Engineering, May 2025).

Q: What’s the battery life with camera usage?
A: Early tests show 18 hours with moderate camera use. Meta’s using stacked battery tech similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra for 30% faster charging.

Q: Can it replace a smartphone?
A: For basic tasks – yes. With eSIM support and Meta’s voice AI, it handles calls/messages independently. The camera enables visual searches, but complex tasks still require phone tethering.

Meta’s camera-watch represents more than a new gadget—it’s a strategic play to dominate ambient computing. By merging health tech, AI, and visual capture into a single wrist-worn device, Zuckerberg’s team is betting that convenience will conquer privacy hesitations. With pre-orders expected to open in Q1 2026, consumers soon face a critical choice: embrace the always-available lens or draw the line at wearable cameras. One thing’s certain—the smartwatch wars just got personal.