Meta smartwatch with camera to launch in September? Here's what we know

Meta

Meta has reportedly resumed work on a long-shelved smartwatch project, which may finally see the light of day as early as September 2025. Initially cancelled in 2022, the wearable is now said to return with enhanced features, including a built-in camera, and could be unveiled alongside the next-generation Meta AI glasses.

Meta Smartwatch Makes a Comeback?

As per a DigiTimes report, Meta has revived its smartwatch project, originally codenamed “Milan”. The launch timeline appears to align with the Meta Connect event scheduled for September 17–18 in the US. Chinese OEM Huaqin Technology is believed to be manufacturing the new device.

While final specifications are still under wraps, the standout feature is expected to be an integrated camera—something that sets it apart from existing players like the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch. The camera is also expected to power certain AI functions, possibly as part of Meta’s broader ecosystem of wearable AI devices.

However, the report also casts some doubt on the launch window, stating that it remains unclear whether the smartwatch will debut at Meta Connect. This uncertainty mirrors the earlier fate of the project, which has already seen several twists.

Codenamed Milan: A History of Delays

The Meta smartwatch was first reported in 2021 with an ambitious design—featuring a curved display, a front-facing camera positioned below the screen, and a physical button on the right. Later, another version surfaced with dual cameras: a 5MP unit on the front and a 10MP sensor at the back, reportedly developed by Meta’s Reality Labs division. Leaked images showed a gold-coloured prototype with two side buttons.

The project was shelved in June 2022 after internal testing revealed that the second camera interfered with Meta’s planned neural interface. This feature would have allowed the watch to interpret nerve signals from the wrist and convert them into commands—one of Meta’s more futuristic ambitions.

The upcoming launch, if it happens, could mark Meta’s re-entry into the smartwatch segment, not just as a fitness tracker but as a deeper extension of its AI and augmented reality push.