Meta’s long-anticipated mixed reality glasses, developed under the codename Phoenix, have reportedly been delayed once again this time shifting from the second half of 2026 to the first half of 2027, according to a report from Business Insider. The device is expected to play a major role in Meta’s long-term augmented and mixed reality strategy, but this delay signals the company’s shift toward sustainability, refinement, and better market readiness.
A New Step Beyond Ray-Ban AI Glasses and Quest Headsets
Meta already offers consumer devices like the Meta Quest VR headsets and Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, but the Phoenix mixed reality glasses appear to target a more advanced tier closer to the Apple Vision Pro experience. Sources say the glasses will feature a puck-style external battery, similar to Apple’s design, suggesting high power demand and advanced processing capabilities.
Unlike previous wearable attempts focused mostly on cameras, AI, or display overlays, these mixed reality glasses are expected to blend real-world environments with digital holograms, supporting immersive apps, productivity tools, and interactive metaverse experiences.
Why the Delay?
Internal memos reportedly show Meta executives announcing the delay after high-level discussions with CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The message was clear: Meta wants to avoid rushing the product and instead focus on building a sustainable business model and delivering a high-quality mixed reality experience.
In the memo, Meta executives Gabriel Aul and Ryan Cairns wrote that extending development gives the team “more breathing room to get the details right.”
This reinforces an ongoing industry trend tech giants realize mixed reality adoption requires polished hardware, compelling software ecosystems, and long-term consumer value, not experimental first-gen products.
Budget Cuts Signal a Strategic Shift
This news comes shortly after Bloomberg revealed that Meta may reduce its metaverse division budget by up to 30%. The budget cuts reflect Meta’s efforts to rebalance spending, especially after years of heavy investment and market skepticism surrounding the metaverse concept.
What This Means for the Future of AR and MR
Although delayed, the Phoenix mixed reality glasses remain a core part of Meta’s roadmap. The choice to slow development could help Meta avoid the pitfalls of rushed competitors and set up a stronger long-term mixed reality ecosystem.
With the extended timeline, Meta now has the opportunity to refine features, improve battery life, enhance comfort, and build compelling mixed reality apps that could finally make wearable computing mainstream. Whether the wait will be worth it remains to be seen but the race for the future of AR is far from over.
