I am currently in London where LEGO has organized a presentation of its new concept called SMART Play and I was able to get a detailed look at what this innovation, presented as a major one for the manufacturer, will entail in the coming months.

I won't repeat the concept pitch, everyone will have understood that it's simply an attempt once again to include a large dose of digital technology in a plastic toy with the promise of further improving the playability of certain products.

In summary, for those wondering what the SMART Play concept is for: the toys in question will make noise and will be able to react "intelligently" to their position or proximity to other elements by emitting a specific color or a particular sound in response to the action of the person playing with them.

The LEGO Star Wars range was chosen to launch this ecosystem including a smart brick, tags that respond to this brick like those of the Super Mario universe respond to the interactive figure, as well as a handful of figures that are also able to interact with the central brick of the concept.

Many technical questions arise, and it's not easy at this stage to get concrete answers to them. These questions are nonetheless legitimate, given LEGO's sometimes unfortunate tendency to suddenly abandon a product or ecosystem that no longer finds its audience profitably.

What guarantee is there that the product will evolve over several years? What protections are in place against potential hacking of this device and misuse of this product intended for young children? What is the lifespan of the integrated, non-replaceable battery? What we do know is that there will be a dedicated application for SMART Brick updates and that this device has interesting technical capabilities.

But it's also clear that its audio capabilities are limited, with a very low volume and a highly simplified interpretation of the sounds produced. Yet, it's presented as a technological marvel capable of orienting itself in space, detecting colors, the proximity of compatible elements, and even communicating with other bricks.

The product is indeed a concentration of technologies integrated into a compact piece of plastic, but it doesn't actually revolutionize much: Bluetooth in mesh mode (meshed) LEGO-style, NFC, sound via an integrated synthesizer and a microphone speaker, light and color detection, an accelerometer and a gyroscope for detecting the position or speed of the object in space, none of this is innovative in itself, and only the promise of truly putting all these elements at the service of children may possibly be original.

While we wait to see what the primary target audience for this concept—children—will think, LEGO presented the three products announced yesterday, each with its own packaging bristling with reminders about the promised interactivity. We also got a look at the minifigures included in these products, and unsurprisingly, they are different from those we already know. For example, R2-D2 has had part of its central cylinder removed so that a SMART Tag can be attached to its back, and the Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader minifigures have their legs attached to their torsos and feature various printed details to emphasize their "intelligent" nature.

From what I have seen, the whole thing does indeed allow you to add a sound layer to certain specific actions such as a space confrontation between the X-wing and the TIE Fighter and to detect the position of a ship in space by knowing for example if it is on its back or not or if it is in the sights of its opponent.

But beyond the initial impression of holding something highly interactive, it quickly becomes clear that the possibilities remain limited and dependent on the correct use of the SMART Brick: its positioning is crucial for it to detect other objects in space and avoid, for example, detecting them in the wrong direction. Younger children will likely struggle to grasp the concept, potentially leading to frustration due to impatience.

The lithium-ion battery in this device, without which nothing happens, must also be charged, and this is only possible via the induction charging pad included in the three sets that allow charging. We know that a full charge takes two hours, and that the device has no visual charge indicator, but we don't know what discharge capacity affects the device or what the risk is of becoming unusable if it's left unattended for several weeks or months.

I also asked the LEGO representative on site about after-sales service: Is LEGO really prepared to assume the risk of failure on a product incorporating so many extremely miniaturized technologies left in the hands of children? I was told that the manufacturer is already prepared to meet the expectations of consumers who might experience a malfunction of their SMART Brick. So be it.

Whatever the most enthusiastic influencers say, I think we should simply see this innovation as the possibility of making products that weren't really playable truly playable and of prolonging the interest of those whose playability was quite relative.

In 2026, however, it will probably take a bit more to impress children with a poorly synthesized lightsaber or jet engine sound, because the SMART Brick can't perfectly reproduce the sounds we all know. Besides, any true Star Wars fan knows how to make the lightsaber sound themselves.

This "smart" brick doesn't actually have enough RAM to store a complete database of pre-recorded sounds and simply generates the relevant sequences on the fly. For example, we were shown part of the contents of the 75425 Mos Eisley Cantina set (666 pieces - €79,99) with the ability to play the Cantina music by frantically shaking the central lever visible in the image below. This is somewhat of a failure due to the product's technical limitations, and the sound sequence isn't exactly the one we all know.

Another important detail: LEGO presents this SMART Brick as a 2x4 brick, which isn't entirely accurate. It's actually the equivalent of a 2x4 brick topped with a 2x4 plate. This detail could be important when incorporating the brick into certain builds.

As you've probably gathered since the first images of the products were released, they're bearing the brunt of the newly unveiled technology, resulting in simplified ships and very basic builds that can no longer serve as a viable alternative for adult collectors waiting for more refined products. Even the A-wing from the set 75427 Throne Room Duel & A-wing is quite successful.

This has often been the case for many playsets intended for children, which ended up on an adult fan's shelf for lack of anything better. And it will be necessary to take into account that these specific products will occupy slots usually reserved for "classic" playsets within the different waves of the range.

Whatever the future holds for this concept, we'll soon know: beyond the initial purchases made out of curiosity, which alone guarantee the success of the first wave of products, we'll quickly see if these products appeal to the target clientele in the long run. Nothing is less certain; the retail prices are high, and the technological offering doesn't seem to justify the expense for many parents compared to other, more traditional products.

We must also consider the usual dogma surrounding LEGO products: to offer toys that keep young children away from screens and technology in all its forms. Many parents will be hesitant simply because the product requires a dedicated app to allow for its development.

In any case, it should not be forgotten that this concept is intended for younger people and just because the LEGO Star Wars range is introducing the concept does not mean that adult fans should feel deprived of something that was rightfully theirs.

LEGO is simply trying to bridge the gap between its products and the more technologically advanced ones available on the market. By adding a digital element to its plastic toy, the manufacturer undoubtedly hopes to attract customers who sometimes shy away from traditional toys, preferring to turn to digital entertainment.

Time will tell if this new attempt is a success based on the accumulated experience and lessons learned by LEGO in recent years, or if it is another failure in a race for modernity that LEGO could, in my opinion, do without by simply offering classic lighting kits or sound bricks of sufficient quality.

The team in charge of selecting the ideas that will become official products still has as much work to do: 75 projects have gathered the 10.000 supporters needed to move them into the review phase between September 2025 and today on the LEGO IDEAS platform.

As usual, the selection consists of ideas of varying interest, some rather far-fetched projects that have no chance of passing, various and sundry licenses, modulars, more or less lifestyle objects, projects that are somewhat redundant with what is selected as part of the Bricklink Designer Program, ideas that have already been used by LEGO, etc....

All is not lost for those whose projects are ultimately rejected; they will receive a consolation prize of $500 worth of LEGO products. In my opinion, this will be a very generous reward for some of them... I repeat this because I am convinced of it: I think it's safe to assume that LEGO prefers to maintain a high number of accepted projects to suggest the unwavering popularity of its platform, rather than raising the validation threshold currently set at 10.000 votes and tightening the rules, at the risk of ending up with far fewer validated ideas and yet less waste in the end.

If you want to find out more about all these projects, head over to the LEGO IDEAS blogThey are all listed there. Results are expected later in 2026, with no further details provided.

While we wait to find out which of these 75 projects will see their idea become an official product, we will soon have the announcement of the results of the second phase of the 2025 review. 146 projects in competition :

It's confirmed, pre-orders for the five sets from the 7th wave of Bricklink Designer Program Pre-orders will open on February 16, 2026 at 17:00 PM, and we'll also get the final images of these five products along with their respective retail prices. Sets that reach at least 3000 pre-orders will then be produced in 30.000 copies and will be available at the earliest during the summer of 2026. No re-releases are planned, and there's a maximum of two sets per household per item.

I remind those who are interested that each creator receives a 5% commission on the amount of sales and receives five copies of the final product. If one or more of these proposals does not reach the 3000 units required to go into production, its creator recovers all the rights to it and is free, for example, to sell the instructions himself.

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).

Today we take a very quick look at the contents of the LEGO Harry Potter set. 76460 Hogwarts Castle: Sorting Hat Ceremony, a small box of 124 pieces available since January 1, 2026 at the public price of €14,99.

The product title is clear: this is a new module for the Hogwarts reboot with grey roofs, initiated in 2024, featuring a Sorting Hat ceremony intended for installation in the already very crowded Great Hall of the set. 76435 Hogwarts Castle: The Great Hall (€199,99). The product's mission therefore defines its scale and level of finish, and we thus obtain here some simplistic constructions associated with a wheel intended to bring a little playability to the whole.

The wheel is flanked by four coats of arms pad-printed on Tiles already seen in 2024 in the set 76438 Harry Potter Advent Calendar 2024As for the rest, we get some furniture that matches that of the Great Hall. No stickers in this box.

LEGO could have chosen to include characters other than Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Draco Malfoy in this set, just for a change. Instead, we'll have to make do with the three minifigures that reuse the classic crestless torso available since 2021, and logically, three of them are included here.

Only Draco Malfoy gets a brand-new head; Harry and Hermione reuse elements that have been available for several years within the LEGO Harry Potter range: Hermione's head dates back to 2018, and Harry Potter's to 2024, which was originally included in the set. 76429 Talking Sorting Hat (99,99 €).

Minerva McGonagall is identical here to the version available in the set since 2025 76447 Hogwarts Castle: Flying Lessons (€79,99) with its hat as well as in the set 76457 Hogsmeade Village (€379,99) but without the accessory.

This is far from the most polished version of the character from LEGO; for example, we got a better one in the 2021 set. 76382 Hogwarts Moment: Transfiguration Class or in 2024 in the set 76426 Hogwarts Castle Boathouse (€37.99). The character is accompanied here by his Cat Patronus, a figurine that is still as opaque and less successful than the one in the set. 76403 The Ministry of Magic (2022)

In short, for around fifteen euros, this little product will enhance the overall Hogwarts diorama currently being built by LEGO, with the added bonus of some playability that should allow younger children to have a bit of fun. That's already quite good for a set without great ambitions, which also allows you to obtain a new Patronus celebrating the 25th anniversary of the LEGO Harry Potter range, as well as the four pretty... Tiles pad printed.

Note: The product shown here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at January 12, 2025 at 23:59 p.m. Simply post a comment below the article to participate. 

LEGO Harry Potter 76460 Hogwarts Castle: Sorting Hat Ceremony

14.99 €

BUY