A recent report from The Information has stirred some conversations within the tech community, particularly among those following Meta’s latest moves. It suggests the company is exploring new avenues for the production of its headsets, looking to move some manufacturing operations from China to Vietnam. This change is thought to be a strategy to sidestep looming tariffs anticipated from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. However, these claims don’t seem to hold much weight with Meta’s top brass.
Andrew Bosworth, Meta’s Chief Technology Officer, has come forward to challenge these assertions. According to Bosworth, all of Meta’s headsets are still being designed internally, dismissing the rumors about outsourcing design efforts. His statements paint a picture of continuity, rather than the upheaval described in the report.
The Information claims that half of the Quest headset’s manufacturing might be relocated, and that components like lenses and displays might get redesigned by Goertek, a Chinese firm noted for its work in the XR space. Goertek’s relationship with Meta seems longstanding, evolving gradually, rather than shifting dramatically as suggested.
Meta’s purported collaboration with Goertek and other manufacturers sets the scene for what’s described as a mutual goal-setting process. Yet, Bosworth insists these are just fabrications being spread widely, emphasizing their designs remain crafted within the company. He underscores their collaborations with manufacturers as part of standard processes, without any substantial changes in how they carry things out.
Bosworth further acknowledges Goertek’s longstanding role, appreciating their partnership in maintaining consistency across evolving headset models. But he stresses that this partnership doesn’t signal any newfound design responsibilities.
Adding another layer, The Information also hints that Goertek may be taking on more roles, including creating the outer shell for newer Meta products. They are also purportedly contributing to research and development efforts, working on projects like the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.
Earlier this year, Goertek also made headlines by injecting a hefty $280 million into its Vietnamese subsidiary. This move, as revealed in records from the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, aims at boosting their output in consumer electronics, including headphones, smartwatches, and various VR and AR gear, potentially paving the way for steady growth in these burgeoning sectors.
