LEGO SMART Play: a new attempt to reconcile plastic bricks and a digital experience

LEGO today officially unveils its new concept, which once again aims to blend plastic and digital technology: the ecosystem SMART Play which combines three components: the 2x4 SMART Brick, the 2x2 NFC SMART Tags, and the SMART Minifigure. A dedicated app will obviously be included for SMART Brick updates.

Developed in-house, the SMART Brick integrates sensors and accelerometers, a light sensor, an audio sensor, and a mini speaker driven by an integrated synthesizer. It can be recharged wirelessly, and this technological marvel communicates via Bluetooth using the Bricknet protocol with the two other elements of the ecosystem: the SMART Minifigure and the SMART Tag. We are promised an exceptionally long-lasting battery, even after extended periods of inactivity, and different SMART Bricks can communicate with each other without needing a central hub.

We are promised, above all, a unique interactive experience with extensive creative possibilities, clearly aimed at children. It remains to be seen whether LEGO has learned from its previous attempts in this area, such as Nexo Knights, Hidden Side, VIDIYO, or Super Mario; not all of them achieved the expected success, even if some did find their audience among young fans of the brand. It will also be necessary to verify whether LEGO intends, in any case and regardless of the concept's commercial success, to maintain this new and complex ecosystem over the long term.

Finally, it will be necessary to observe how LEGO plans to manage after-sales service for these products. Replacing plastic bricks is one thing, but servicing a product that uses numerous technologies is quite another.

LEGO SMART PLAY ON THE LEGO SHOP >>

Three new LEGO Star Wars sets will soon benefit from this new ecosystem. Each set will include a SMART Brick with its charger, a SMART Tag, and a SMART Minifigure. Pre-orders will begin on January 9, 2026, with a release date of March 1, 2026. The sets will feature engine sounds, lightsaber clashes, and some iconic sound sequences from the saga.

Other sets in the LEGO Star Wars range will be part of the SMART Play ecosystem, but they will not allow you to obtain the SMART Brick: the references 75420 Luke's Landspeeder (255 pieces - €39,99), 75425 Mos Eisley Cantina (666 pieces - €79,99) and 75426 Millennium Falcon (885 pieces - €99,99).