Preorder Lego’s New Smart Brick Sets Now
▼ Summary
– Lego’s Smart Brick, a tiny standalone computer for builds, was a major debut at CES 2026 and won “Best in show.”
– The Smart Brick adds interactive lighting and sounds using LEDs, a speaker, sensors, and NFC recognition of Smart Tags and figures.
– It is launching as part of three new Star Wars-themed Smart Play sets, priced from $69.99 to $159.99, available for preorder.
– Each set includes the Smart Brick, Smart Tags, smart figures, and a wireless charger, with shipping expected to start March 1, 2026.
– Fan reaction is mixed, with some excited for new play and others skeptical, though a hands-on demo found the bricks “far smarter and more imaginative than expected.”
The highly anticipated Lego Smart Brick, a standout innovation from CES 2026, is now available for preorder within three new Star Wars sets. This tiny computer brick brings interactive lighting, sound, and motion sensing to classic brick-building, marking a significant evolution in the Lego play experience. Following its celebrated debut and “Best in show” recognition, these first sets demonstrate the technology’s potential to blend digital and physical creativity.
Lego is launching the Smart Brick through its popular Star Wars franchise. The entry-level option is the $69.99 Smart Play: Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter. This 473-piece set includes one Smart Brick, a Smart Tag, and a special Smart Darth Vader minifigure. For a mid-range choice, builders can opt for the $89.99 SMART Play: Luke’s Red Five X-Wing. With 581 pieces, it packs in the Smart Brick, five Smart Tags, and Smart Luke and Leia minifigures.
The flagship set is the $159.99 Smart Play: Throne Room Duel & A-Wing. This extensive 962-piece collection comes with two Lego Smart Bricks, five Smart Tags, and smart minifigures of Luke, Darth Vader, and Emperor Palpatine. Crucially, every set includes Lego’s new wireless charger, capable of powering two bricks simultaneously. Preorders for all three are now live, with the first shipments expected to begin on March 1st, 2026.
Functioning as a compact, self-contained computer, the Smart Brick integrates seamlessly into models to add a new layer of interactivity. It features built-in LEDs, a speaker, a microphone, and wireless connectivity. A suite of sensors allows it to detect movement, light, and specific gestures. The brick recognizes the new Smart Tags and smart figures via embedded NFC technology, triggering unique soundscapes or lighting effects when they are brought near. While the bricks are not user-programmable, Lego confirms they can receive new features and content through future mobile app updates.
Reaction from the Lego community has been mixed. Some enthusiasts are thrilled by the fresh play patterns and immersive possibilities, while others express concern that it moves away from pure, imagination-driven building. It’s worth noting that Lego has incorporated electronics in past products, but the Smart Brick system represents its most advanced integration yet. Early hands-on impressions from CES were positive, with one reviewer initially skeptical but concluding after a demo that the Smart Bricks proved “far smarter and more imaginative than I expected.”
(Source: The Verge)
