The Apple Watch was launched more than a decade ago, and the device has come a long way since then. The company also considered adding a camera to the wearable, but the plan was scrapped, and now, Meta is working on its own iteration of a smartwatch with a built-in camera. A new report claims that Meta may introduce the wearable at its September event, alongside the new iPhone and Apple Watch Series 11.

This is not the first time that we are hearing details on the Meta smartwatch with a camera, as the wearable was first spotted in 2021. However, the development was paused the following year. A supply chain report now claims that the project has been revived once again and has moved closer to launch, now expected later this year. Apple proposed a camera on the Apple Watch years ago, and it also filed several patents to secure the technology over the competition.

Related Story Meta Continues To Poach AI Talent From Competitors With Lucrative Paydays Because It Is Behind In The Race, Says Google DeepMind CEO; Executive Says This Approach Is A ‘Rational’ One

However, Apple did not go ahead with the technology, potentially out of fear that the camera on the Apple Watch could cannibalize iPhone sales to some extent. The camera on the Apple Watch was a proper sensor capable of recording videos and taking photos instead of a sensor for health-based purposes. However, it is worth mentioning that not all Apple patents see daylight in the form of a product, and if you have been keeping track, the company files a lot of patents.

While Apple gave up on its dream of a camera on the Apple Watch, DigiTimes reports that Meta’s development of a smartwatch with a camera is going in full flow.

Meta Platforms Inc. is reportedly reviving its smartwatch project, potentially with a camera lens, timed with its Meta Connect conference on September 17–18 in the US. The smartwatch is expected to complement Meta’s upcoming AI glasses. China’s Huaqin is said to be the primary manufacturer.

Meta’s smartwatch will be significantly different from other watches, including the Apple Watch, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch, and the Pixel Watch lineup. For one, Meta’s smartwatch will have a built-in camera, which would give it a unique selling point and open doors for AI features similar to Visual Intelligence on the iPhone and Google Lens on Android phones.

The report seems uncertain whether the watch will appear at Meta’s September event. The intro suggests it’s being timed for an announcement there, while later in the piece it says, “it’s unclear if the smartwatch will debut at the upcoming Meta Connect event.”

It remains to be seen how the company would position and market its smartwatch, as it has to be paired with a smartphone to utilize its true potential, and it would definitely be a tough sell to iPhone users who are loyal to the Apple Watch due to ecosystem restrictions. We are not familiar with the official design of the wearable, so do stick around for more details on the matter. Do you think Meta’s smartwatch with a camera can compete against the Apple Watch? Let us know in the comments.