Meta Platforms is reportedly rekindling its smartwatch initiative, which may feature integrated cameras. Originally launched in 2021, the project was put on hold less than a year later as the company reallocated resources to other wearable technology. A recent report indicates that the smartwatch could make its debut as early as September 2025, potentially serving as a companion device to the upcoming Meta AI glasses.
According to DigiTimes, the revival of the smartwatch project coincides with the Meta Connect conference scheduled for September 17–18 in the United States. Chinese manufacturer Huaqin Technology is expected to be the principal producer of this new wearable device.
While specifics remain scarce, the Meta smartwatch could include a built-in camera, setting it apart from competitors such as the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch. This feature may enable advanced artificial intelligence capabilities.
Nevertheless, the report presents some uncertainty, stating, “it’s unclear if the smartwatch will debut at the upcoming Meta Connect event.” Such ambiguity casts doubt on the future of the Meta smartwatch, a situation that is not unprecedented in the project’s history.
The initial development of the smartwatch, codenamed “Milan,” was first revealed in 2021, when it was envisioned as having a display that curves around the edges. This model was said to incorporate a front-facing camera situated at the bottom of the screen, along with a physical control button located on the right side of the device’s frame.
Meta’s smartwatch prototype, which emerged in 2022
Photo Credit: Bloomberg
Several months later, a dual-camera version of the smartwatch, produced by Meta’s Reality Labs division, became known. An image release earlier indicated that this prototype featured a 5-megapixel front camera and a 10-megapixel rear camera, set within a gold-colored casing and equipped with two buttons on one side.
Ultimately, this iteration was put on hold in June 2022, reportedly due to complications arising from the second camera, which interfered with an intended feature that would allow users to control the smartwatch by translating nerve signals from the wrist into digital commands.
