Meta is delaying the debut of its eagerly awaited mixed reality headset, codenamed “Phoenix,” to focus on next-generation devices and wearables in the upcoming year.

In an internal communication, Reality Labs Vice President Maher Saba noted that the instruction was conveyed by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who directed Reality Labs teams to prioritize “higher quality experiences” and efforts to improve business sustainability. Saba emphasized that the extended timeline was not meant for feature additions but to give teams the opportunity to refine the specifics.

Other Meta VR leaders, including Reality Labs executives Gabriel Aul and Ryan Cairns, pointed out that this choice would offer more “breathing room” to finalize the product, as reported by Business Insider. “There’s a lot coming in hot with tight bring-up schedules and significant changes to our core UX, and we won’t compromise on achieving a fully polished and reliable experience,” they wrote in a different memo.

The glasses reportedly have a resemblance to Apple’s Vision Pro glasses, featuring a goggle-like design and an external computing puck that makes the device very lightweight. Insiders indicate it will operate on the same Horizon OS as Meta’s Quest headsets.

Meta will now aim for a 2026 release for a “limited edition” wearable device, dubbed “Malibu 2,” alongside a next-generation Meta Quest device. Aul and Cairns mentioned that the overhaul will introduce a substantial capabilities upgrade concentrated on immersive gaming.