Meta Refutes Claims of Outsourcing XR Headset Designs

A recent article from The Information stirred attention by suggesting that Meta has begun outsourcing some design aspects for its upcoming headsets, as the company is looking to shift part of its production outside of China. However, Meta’s CTO, Andrew Bosworth, has countered these claims, asserting that headset designs will continue to be developed internally.

As reported by The Information and highlighted by SeekingAlpha, Meta is considering relocating half of its Quest headset manufacturing from China to Vietnam. This move is prompted as a strategic measure to circumvent the hefty import tariffs anticipated under the administration led by President-elect Donald Trump.

A notable image accompanying the article showcases Goertek Vietnam, hinting at the company’s growing role in the manufacturing sector. The report also claims Meta is gearing up to hand over more component design responsibilities, like those for lenses and displays, to Goertek. This Chinese original design manufacturer (ODM) is well-known for crafting reference designs and manufacturing devices for various firms within the XR industry.

Looking further ahead, Meta has allegedly enlisted Goertek and other manufacturers to take on the development of its headsets by 2030. The company is said to be pivoting its focus more towards its profitable software business. This supposed collaboration would entail Goertek offering multiple design options based on Meta’s goals.

In light of these speculations, Andrew Bosworth, who leads Meta’s XR-centric Reality Labs, took to social media to dismantle the rumors. He commented, “Someone is really pushing the design rumor hard, but it’s simply not true. We are sticking to designing our headsets in-house and have no intention of changing that. Of course, our partnerships with manufacturers continue, but there’s no significant shift there.”

Bosworth further clarified their relationship with Goertek in subsequent posts. “To clarify, Goertek has always been a valuable partner. As our technology stack matures and is utilized from one headset to another, we’re happy to have them involved. But this isn’t a departure from our usual business dealings, even as we expand.”

In a related note, The Information added that Goertek, according to a Meta employee, has begun crafting the outer shells for upcoming Meta MR headsets and is now more involved in R&D for additional Meta products, including Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.

Earlier this year, Goertek made a strategic investment of $280 million in its Vietnamese subsidiary. As per the Shenzhen Stock Exchange filing, this subsidiary focuses on manufacturing a range of consumer electronics, including headphones, smartwatches, and VR and AR devices.