Meta Platforms (META) Stock: Revives Smartwatch Plans with AI and Health Features

TLDR

• Meta rises 0.61%, prepping AI smartwatch to expand its hardware lineup.
• Malibu 2 smartwatch offers heart-rate, sleep tracking, and AI assistant.
• Gesture control may link smartwatch to Meta’s AR devices seamlessly.
• Smartwatch launch follows success of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.
• Meta targets faster revenue with practical wearables amid Reality Labs losses.

Meta Platforms (META) closed at $643.22, rising $3.93 or 0.61%. Pre-market trading showed a slight dip to $638.64, down 0.71%. The company plans to launch a new smartwatch with AI and health-tracking features later this year.

Meta Platforms, Inc., META
The smartwatch project, internally code-named Malibu 2, marks Meta’s second attempt at wearable hardware. The company had abandoned an earlier smartwatch effort in 2022 during cost-cutting measures. Renewed development comes amid a rising consumer demand for connected wearable devices.

Meta intends to release the smartwatch shortly before a new generation of augmented reality glasses. The device will integrate with the company’s existing wearable ecosystem. This approach aligns with Meta’s goal of creating everyday devices with practical AI functions.

Meta Expands Consumer Hardware Portfolio

The smartwatch will feature health monitoring tools, including heart-rate tracking and sleep pattern analysis. It will also include a built-in AI assistant to support notifications and user interactions. Meta is positioning the device to compete with established brands like Apple and Samsung.

The company has leveraged previous research on wrist-based gestures to enhance smartwatch functionality. Gesture control could allow users to interact with apps without touching the screen. Meta’s prior studies show a potential integration between wristwear and augmented reality devices.

This wearable launch comes as the company’s smart glasses have reached nearly six million shipments in 2025. The glasses were developed in partnership with EssilorLuxottica, the Ray-Ban maker. Meta’s success with lightweight, daily-use devices informs its smartwatch design strategy.

Strategic Timing and Market Positioning

Meta’s hardware unit, Reality Labs, experienced substantial losses totaling $16 billion in 2024. The smartwatch could provide a quicker revenue path than complex AR glasses. The device may appeal to users familiar with Meta’s social platforms and connected services.

The launch reflects a shift from experimental AR projects toward practical consumer electronics. The company delayed some mixed-reality products, including its Phoenix glasses, to focus on achievable releases. Combining a smartwatch with smart glasses may strengthen Meta’s ecosystem against competitors.

Pricing and technical execution will influence adoption, as battery life and sensor accuracy remain challenges. Meta previously offered Quest headsets at lower prices to boost market penetration. Health-focused features and AI integration may differentiate the smartwatch in a crowded market.

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