Hue’s New Smart Button: Bigger, Pricier, and More Powerful
▼ Summary
– Hue has released a new version of its Smart Button, featuring a larger design and a higher price in the U.S. ($32.99 vs. $29.99), while UK/EU pricing remains lower (£19.99/€21.99).
– The new Smart Button retains the same functionality as its predecessor, allowing control of Hue lights via the Hue app, including scene triggering, dimming, and automation.
– The updated button is 45mm in diameter (vs. 32mm), with a flatter, more angular design and includes a small metal plate for magnetic wall attachment instead of a large plastic wall plate.
– The button uses a CR2032 battery (lasting two years) and requires a Hue Bridge for Zigbee connectivity, remaining compatible with Matter-supported platforms like Apple Home.
– Hue has announced a price increase starting July 1, raising concerns about affordability, especially in the U.S., where the brand is already one of the most expensive smart lighting options.
Philips Hue has unveiled an upgraded version of its popular Smart Button, offering a fresh design and enhanced functionality for controlling smart lighting systems. The latest iteration arrives with noticeable changes, including a larger form factor and adjusted pricing that varies significantly by region. In the U.S., the new model costs $32.99, a $3 increase over its predecessor, while European customers will pay £19.99 or €21.99, hinting at potential regional pricing shifts ahead.
Available now through Hue’s official website, this Zigbee-compatible device retains core features from the previous generation. Users can program it to manage individual bulbs or groups, activate timed scenes, adjust brightness levels, or trigger automations via the Hue app. While functionality remains consistent, the physical redesign stands out with a 45mm diameter (1.8 inches), making it substantially larger than the original 32mm (1.3-inch) version. The flatter, more angular profile replaces the older model’s rounded shape, and it now ships with a minimalist magnetic metal plate instead of a traditional light switch-style wall mount.
Hue’s product lineup includes four distinct control options, with the new Smart Button positioned as the evolution of its compact predecessor. Early adopters report easier battery replacement thanks to improved access to the CR2032 cell, which maintains the same two-year lifespan. Like earlier versions, the button requires a Hue Bridge for operation and integrates with Matter-supported ecosystems such as Apple Home, appearing as a single-press input device.
The 2023 software update expanded the button’s capabilities, introducing time-based scene cycling that automatically adjusts white light temperature throughout the day. Though the larger footprint could improve usability, the disproportionate U.S. price increase raises concerns, especially following Hue’s recent announcement of across-the-board price hikes effective July 1st. As one of the premium options in smart lighting, these changes may further widen the gap between Hue and budget-conscious alternatives, particularly for American consumers.
While the refined design offers practical improvements, the value proposition becomes less clear when comparing regional pricing differences. For existing Hue enthusiasts, the upgrade path depends on whether the physical enhancements justify the cost, particularly as core features remain unchanged from the previous model that originally debuted at a lower $24.99 price point.
(Source: The Verge)
