Meta Shifts Focus to VR Hardware: Metaverse Division Faces Restructuring

Meta's Strategic Pivot to Hardware Innovation

Insider reports reveal Meta is preparing significant restructuring within its Reality Labs division, potentially cutting up to 30% of staff focused on metaverse social platforms. This move marks a strategic shift — from building virtual worlds to advancing next-generation immersive hardware.

Resource Reallocation Toward AR/VR Wearables

Reality Labs currently spans virtual platforms and wearable tech. Funds saved from downsizing will be redirected to accelerate AR smart glasses development and market expansion. Meta's 2021 collaboration with a leading eyewear brand yielded AR glasses that surpassed internal sales targets, validating its hardware-first approach.

• Cuts primarily affect virtual social app teams
• Investment shifting to AR optics and wearable R&D
• VR headsets remain a core product line with ongoing upgrades

The shift reflects a broader industry recalibration: rather than betting long-term on unproven virtual ecosystems, tech leaders are prioritizing dominance in hardware to secure user access and data pathways.