Meta Smartwatch with Camera Confirmed for September Launch, Taking Aim at Apple Watch

For over a decade, Apple considered but abandoned plans for a camera-equipped Apple Watch. Now, Meta is seizing that opportunity, preparing to disrupt the wearables market with its own smartwatch featuring a built-in camera. According to a July 2024 DigiTimes supply-chain report, Meta will unveil the device at its Meta Connect conference on September 17–18, positioning it as a companion to its upcoming AI glasses.

The Comeback of Meta’s Smartwatch Ambitions

Meta’s camera-equipped smartwatch project first surfaced in 2021 but was paused in 2022. Industry sources confirm the project has been revived, with Chinese manufacturer Huaqin leading production. The timing aligns strategically with Meta’s fall hardware launches, suggesting a cohesive ecosystem approach. Unlike Apple—which filed multiple patents for Watch cameras but feared cannibalizing iPhone sales—Meta sees the camera as central to its AI-driven vision.

Apple’s shelved prototypes reportedly included full photo/video capabilities, not merely health sensors. As noted in a 2022 Bloomberg analysis, Apple prioritizes ecosystem synergy over standalone features that could dilute iPhone dominance. Meta, however, aims to leverage the camera for advanced AI functions like real-time visual search and augmented reality, potentially outpacing rivals like Samsung’s Galaxy Watch and Google’s Pixel Watch in innovation.

Meta Smartwatch

How Meta’s Camera Watch Could Reshape Wearables

The inclusion of a camera fundamentally reimagines smartwatch utility:

• Visual Intelligence: Enables Google Lens-style object recognition and live translation.
• AR Integration: Works with Meta’s AI glasses for immersive experiences.
• Social Focus: Streamlines content creation for Meta’s platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

Despite the planned September unveiling, DigiTimes notes uncertainty about whether the watch will debut at Meta Connect. If launched, Meta must overcome hurdles like smartphone dependency and Apple’s entrenched user loyalty. Tech analyst Carolina Milanesi of Creative Strategies observes: “Meta’s success hinges on proving this isn’t a novelty but a necessity—offering unique AI capabilities that justify a camera’s space and battery demands.

Meta’s bold gamble challenges a wearables market long defined by cautious iterations. By embracing the camera—a feature Apple feared—the company bets that visual AI will trump ecosystem lock-in. As Connect approaches, industry eyes await whether Meta’s vision can convert skeptics and redefine what a smartwatch can do. Follow trusted tech journals for verified updates post-event.

Must Know

Q: When will the Meta smartwatch release?
A: According to DigiTimes (July 2024), Meta plans a September 17–18 unveiling at Meta Connect, though launch timing remains unconfirmed. Production partner Huaqin suggests a late 2024 release.

Q: Why include a camera on a smartwatch?
A: Meta aims to enable visual AI features—like object identification and AR interactions—that complement its AI glasses. This differentiates it from camera-less competitors like the Apple Watch.

Q: Did Apple ever plan an Apple Watch camera?
A: Yes. Patents filed between 2015–2020 revealed Apple’s camera designs, but Bloomberg reported concerns about iPhone sales cannibalization. The feature never launched.

Q: Will Meta’s smartwatch work with iPhones?
A: Likely yes, but with limited functionality. Like existing Meta hardware (e.g., Ray-Ban glasses), core AI features may require Android or Meta’s first-party apps.

Q: What’s the biggest challenge for Meta?
A: Balancing battery life, privacy concerns, and justifying why users need a watch camera. As CCS Insight notes, “Novelty wears off fast without genuine utility.”