Meta has pushed back the release of its Phoenix mixed-reality glasses to 2027, extending the timeline by a full year as the company works to refine the device. Business Insider reported the delay on Friday, citing an internal memo that said Meta wants the product to feel complete rather than rushed.
The glasses were originally expected in the second half of 2026, but executives Gabriel Aul and Ryan Cairns told employees that the extra time would give teams “breathing room to get the details right.”
The device, previously known as Puffin, is designed to be lightweight at about 100 grams. Early reports suggest that it will have lower-resolution displays and less processing power than premium headsets such as Apple’s Vision Pro. Even so, Meta sees Phoenix as a step toward its long-term mixed-reality ambitions. Mixed reality blends digital elements with the physical world, allowing real-time interaction between virtual and real objects.
The delay comes as Meta prepares for significant spending cuts. Bloomberg reported this week that the company plans to reduce the budget for its metaverse division by as much as 30%. This group sits inside Reality Labs, which develops the Quest headset line, Ray-Ban smart glasses built with EssilorLuxottica, and Meta’s future AR products.
Rising costs and pressure to improve efficiency have pushed Meta to reassess timelines across its hardware roadmap.
Meta has not publicly commented on the reported delay.
