Meta Refutes Claims of Outsourcing XR Headset Designs

In a recent shake-up, Meta is shifting gears in its strategy for producing upcoming headsets, with the aim of relocating part of its production outside of China. This move was highlighted in a report by The Information, but Meta’s CTO, Andrew Bosworth, is calling out inaccuracies in those reports. Bosworth insists that while production locations may change, the design of Meta’s headsets will remain strictly an internal affair.

The buzz, according to The Information—shared for free thanks to SeekingAlpha—suggests that Meta is planning a transfer of up to half of its Quest headset manufacturing from China to Vietnam. This strategic relocation is reportedly in preparation for steep import tariffs expected under the administration of US President-elect Donald Trump.

There’s a visual sneak peek with an image from the Vietnam Investment Review showcasing Goertek’s operations in Vietnam. The image adds context to the ongoing transition.

The report further claims Meta is looking to outsource more of its component designs, such as lenses and displays, to Goertek. This Chinese company is an original design manufacturer well-versed in creating reference designs and producing technology for multiple companies in the XR industry.

Looking ahead to 2030, it’s reported that Meta might engage Goertek and others to eventually take over more headset development. This shift appears to be part of a broader plan for Meta to direct more energy toward its thriving software business. If this partnership unfolds, it would involve Meta setting performance goals while Goertek offers various design options for Meta to select.

But Andrew Bosworth, who helms Meta’s Reality Labs, has taken to social media to quash these rumors. “[S]omeone is pushing the design rumor hard to multiple outlets, and that aspect remains false,” Bosworth stated. He went on to assert that Meta plans to continue with in-house headset design as it has in the past. While Meta has always collaborated with manufacturers, Bosworth emphasized that there’s no significant shift happening here.

He didn’t stop there. In a follow-up post, Bosworth reinforced that their collaboration with Goertek stays unchanged. “To be clear, Goertek is a great partner,” Bosworth noted, praising their ongoing involvement in different parts of Meta’s projects. He emphasized they have been instrumental in carrying designs across various headsets as they mature.

In a separate disclosure, The Information, citing a Meta employee, indicated that Goertek is now involved in designing the outer casing for Meta’s upcoming mixed reality headsets. They have also stepped up their game in research and development for other products, including the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.

Earlier this year, Goertek reinforced its commitment to expanding in Vietnam, as evidenced by a $280 million investment in its local subsidiary. According to filings on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, this branch of Goertek is focused on producing consumer electronic devices, ranging from headphones and smartwatches to innovative VR and AR gadgets.