Meta’s Smartwatch Journey Evolves with ‘Project Malibu 2’ Targeting 2026 Launch

Meta’s smartwatch saga is back on track, with ‘Project Malibu 2’ focusing on health and AI integration for a 2026 debut.

A New Chapter in Meta’s Smartwatch Story

The rollercoaster ride of Meta’s smartwatch development continues, breathing fresh life into a project that’s seen its fair share of starts and stops. Now christened ‘Project Malibu 2,’ the smartwatch is set to arrive in 2026, signaling a renewed commitment to wrist-worn tech from the social media giant turned metaverse pioneer.

This iteration marks a significant pivot in Meta’s wearable strategy—stepping away from the camera-heavy designs of the past and steering toward health monitoring and AI capabilities that complement its ambitions in augmented reality (AR) and smart glasses.

Tracing Back: From Project Milan to Malibu 2

To truly grasp what Malibu 2 represents, we have to rewind a bit. Back in 2021, Meta teased the world with Project Milan—a smartwatch concept that stood out for its detachable design and the inclusion of dual cameras, aiming to make video calls and photography seamless from the wrist.

That vision, however, hit a snag and was reportedly shelved in 2022. Yet whispers of its revival surfaced in mid-2025, suggesting Milan was reborn as a companion device to Meta’s upcoming ‘Celeste’ smart glasses.

Malibu 2 appears to be the polished evolution of this earlier concept. Unlike its predecessor, which tried to juggle too many roles as a standalone smartphone replacement, Malibu 2 is being designed to offload specific tasks from the glasses—handling visual intelligence and health sensing that sleek AR frames alone cannot deliver.

A Strategic Shift Toward Health and AI

The shift toward health tracking is one of the most intriguing turns for Meta. While the company has flirted with fitness features in its Quest VR ecosystem, Malibu 2 is expected to be a robust health-focused wearable built on an Android-based operating system. This is a marked departure from earlier camera-centric ambitions.

This new focus places Meta squarely in competition with established players like the Apple Watch, but with a twist. The Malibu 2’s integration with Meta’s AI ecosystem is meant to elevate it beyond typical fitness trackers.

Rather than just counting steps or monitoring heart rates, the watch aims to leverage its close contact with the body to deliver smarter, more context-aware AI responses. Reports also hint at the incorporation of neural band (EMG) technology—cutting-edge sensors that can interpret muscle signals for gesture controls, possibly allowing users to operate Meta’s smart glasses in an intuitive, hands-free manner.

Can Malibu 2 Make the 2026 Deadline?

Given Meta’s history of wavering smartwatch plans, a healthy dose of skepticism is warranted. Yet the success of the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses has undeniably given the company a strong reason to push forward with a complementary wrist device.

A smartwatch can provide essential processing power, longer battery life, and crucial biometric data—all things that smart glasses alone struggle to deliver. If Malibu 2 arrives as planned, it could serve as the perfect partner, amplifying the AR experience.

Still, whether Malibu 2 will be ready to shine at Connect 2026 remains uncertain. Meta’s renewed focus on an AI-powered health ecosystem suggests they’ve finally found a unique angle for their smartwatch—one that’s not just a “camera on a strap,” but a genuinely useful wearable with a clear purpose.

What are your thoughts on Meta’s evolving smartwatch plans? Could Malibu 2 redefine how we interact with wearables in the AI and AR era?

FAQ

• What is Project Malibu 2?
  Project Malibu 2 is Meta’s upcoming smartwatch, slated for release in 2026, focusing on AI integration and health tracking rather than just cameras.
• How does Malibu 2 differ from previous Meta smartwatch concepts?
  Unlike earlier camera-heavy models like Project Milan, Malibu 2 emphasizes health monitoring and AI, designed to work alongside Meta’s smart glasses.
• Will Malibu 2 compete with the Apple Watch?
  Yes, Malibu 2 targets the health and fitness market, putting it in direct competition with devices like the Apple Watch, but it aims to stand out with advanced AI features.
• What unique features might Malibu 2 offer?
  The watch may include neural band (EMG) technology for gesture controls and serve as a primary interface for Meta’s AI, providing context-aware responses.
• Is the 2026 release date for Malibu 2 confirmed?
  While the plan is for a 2026 launch, Meta’s history of shifting smartwatch projects suggests the timeline could change.

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Valeriy Bagrintsev Founder & Chief Content Creator

Valeriy is the founder of Just Plugged and a tech reviewer focused on consumer electronics, software, and buying guides. He brings years of hands-on experience researching and evaluating tech products to help readers choose better technology with confidence.

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