Meta’s smartwatch saga continues, with ‘Project Malibu 2’ slated for 2026
The saga of the on-again, off-again Meta smartwatch has taken another turn, with a report indicating that the project is very much alive under a new codename: Project Malibu 2.
Scheduled for a 2026 release, according to sources, the device appears to be the latest evolution of a wearable strategy that has seen numerous cancellations and renewals over the past four years.
While previous iterations focused more on wrist-mounted cameras, the current roadmap reportedly revolves around health and AI, positioning the watch as a central hub for Meta’s augmented reality and smartglasses aspirations.
A quick overview of previous Meta clock programs
To understand the Malibu 2, you have to look back at Project Milan, the camera-equipped watch we first reported on in 2021. That device had a detachable design and two cameras meant for video calls and taking pictures.
While the Milan was reportedly closed in 2022, a leak in July 2025 suggested that the concept had been revived as a companion to the upcoming Meta ‘Celeste’ smart glasses.
The Malibu 2 appears to be a refined version of this concept; rather than trying to replace a standalone smartphone, it’s designed to handle the visual intelligence and health-sensing functions that tiny smart glasses can’t manage on their own.
A change in intelligence
The switch to life tracking is a significant departure for the Meta. While the company has tested basic fitness metrics in the Quest ecosystem, the Malibu 2 is expected to be a health wearable built on an Android-based OS.
This move puts the Meta in direct competition with the Apple Watch, although the integration with Meta AI remains a key differentiator.
According to the report, the Malibu 2 watch is expected to act as the main AI interface, using its proximity to the body to deliver context-aware responses. It may also incorporate neural band (EMG) technology that Meta has been developing to control its touch-based glasses.
Will Project Malibu 2 arrive in 2026?
Given the yo-yo nature of the brand’s smartwatch plans in the past, it’s fair to question whether the device is actually coming later this year. However, with the immediate success of the Ray-Ban Meta sunglasses, the company at least now has a compelling reason for the watch to exist.
As a peripheral, it provides processing power, battery life, and biometric data that stand-alones cannot. But whether the Malibu 2 makes it to the Connect 2026 segment remains to be seen.
The focus on an AI-driven health system suggests that the Meta has finally found its way into a wrist wearable that isn’t just a camera on a belt, but only time will tell.
