Meta’s New Mixed Reality Glasses Pushed to 2027, Confirms Insider Report

Meta’s next-generation mixed reality glasses have been delayed. The project, codenamed “Phoenix,” was slated for late 2026. It is now targeting a launch in the first half of 2027, according to internal memos.

This news comes directly from Business Insider. The report states the company is adjusting its timeline. The decision follows strategic reviews by CEO Mark Zuckerberg himself.

A Strategic Pause for Quality and Business Goals

The delay was announced internally by executives Gabriel Aul and Ryan Cairns. They lead Meta’s Reality Labs division. In a memo seen by Business Insider, they framed the move positively.

They said the extra time provides crucial “breathing room.” The goal is to refine the details and ensure a high-quality experience. This suggests the initial timeline was perhaps too aggressive.

Sources indicate Zuckerberg pushed for the shift. He reportedly wants the product’s business model to be sustainable at launch. This is a key shift in focus from simply getting hardware to market.

Aligning with Broader Metaverse Budget Cuts

This hardware postponement aligns with wider company adjustments. Bloomberg reported Meta plans to cut its metaverse budget by up to 30% this year. The division, Reality Labs, has reported significant financial losses.

The strategic recalibration is clear. Meta is balancing ambitious hardware development with financial discipline. The “Phoenix” glasses represent a major bet on a future beyond smartphones.

For consumers, the delay means a longer wait for a potentially groundbreaking device. For the industry, it signals Meta’s careful approach to a highly competitive spatial computing race against giants like Apple.

The revised 2027 target for Meta’s mixed reality glasses underscores a more measured phase in the company’s metaverse ambitions, prioritizing product sustainability over speed.

A quick knowledge drop for you

Q1: What are Meta’s “Phoenix” mixed reality glasses?

They are a new, advanced wearable device in development. The glasses are designed for mixed reality experiences. Their form factor is reportedly similar to the Apple Vision Pro, using an external compute puck.

Q2: Why were the glasses delayed to 2027?

Internal memos cite a need for more development time. CEO Mark Zuckerberg pushed for the delay to ensure a higher-quality product. The goal is also to establish a more sustainable business model for the hardware at launch.

Q3: How is this different from Meta’s current VR headsets?

Current devices like the Quest 3 are primarily virtual reality headsets. The “Phoenix” project aims for a glasses-like mixed reality format. This suggests a sleeker, more socially acceptable design for blending digital and physical worlds.

Q4: Does this delay relate to Meta’s metaverse losses?

It appears connected. Bloomberg reported Meta plans to cut its metaverse budget significantly this year. The delay allows for more focused spending and development amid ongoing financial scrutiny of the Reality Labs division.

Q5: What are the main sources for this news?

The initial report on the delay comes from Business Insider, which viewed internal company memos. The context on broader budget cuts was separately reported by Bloomberg. Both are established, high-authority news organizations.