Meta appears ready to re-enter the smartwatch race with a device that’s unlike anything currently on the market. According to industry sources, the tech giant may unveil a brand-new wearable at its upcoming Meta Connect event in September. What sets this smartwatch apart? A built-in camera—and not just one, but two.

A Project Resurrected

The smartwatch project, which was put on hold in 2022, is reportedly back in development, this time with manufacturing support from China-based Huaqin Technology. While most current wearables focus on fitness tracking, Meta’s approach seems centred around artificial intelligence and extended reality (XR), aligning with its broader vision for immersive, connected ecosystems.

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Designed to Pair with Meta’s AI Glasses

Insiders suggest the smartwatch is designed to work in tandem with Meta’s upcoming AI-powered smart glasses. This could position the device not just as a companion gadget but as an essential node in a larger AR-XR experience. Unlike existing products from Apple, Samsung, Google, OnePlus, or Garmin, Meta’s wearable may leverage AI-driven features supported by its onboard camera system.

Camera Tech Sets It Apart

Leaked documents indicate the smartwatch will house a 5MP front-facing camera suited for video calls and a 12MP rear camera aimed at casual photography—functions largely absent from mainstream smartwatches today. This dual-camera setup may allow users to capture images and participate in calls without needing a phone nearby.

Removable Body and Modular Design

Another distinctive design element reportedly in the works is a removable watch body that can be detached from the strap. This modular approach could serve both functional and aesthetic purposes, making the device easier to upgrade or personalise.

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A Feature Apple Considered—But Never Launched

While Apple has long explored the idea of a camera-enabled watch, its concepts never made it past the patent stage. As far back as 2019, patents surfaced showing possible designs, including a flexible watch band with a rotatable camera or a camera embedded in the digital crown. Yet none of these designs have seen the light of day.

What This Could Mean? 

If Meta goes through with the launch, it would mark one of the first major smartwatch offerings with serious imaging capabilities. More importantly, it may shift the conversation away from heart rates and step counts and toward visual interaction, AI assistance, and XR integration—territory largely unexplored in the smartwatch space until now. With Meta Connect just weeks away, all eyes are on whether Meta will truly shake up the wearable category—or merely tease another concept still stuck in the pipeline.