LEGO Debuts Smart Bricks and Opens Pre‑Orders for Its First Star Wars Sets

LEGO unveils Smart Bricks at CES 2026 and opens Star Wars pre-orders

Breaking news from CES 2026: LEGO has unveiled an all‑new Smart Brick system, signaling a bold shift into smart tech for the century‑old toy maker. The company also opened pre-orders for debut Star Wars sets built around this new technology.

LEGO describes Smart Bricks as tiny, standalone computers that can be embedded into builds. The bricks include a microphone, a speaker and LED lights, and they respond to movement, lighting and gestures. The system also works with Smart Tags, which trigger sounds or lighting effects when nearby.An accompanying mobile app will update features and content for each Smart Brick.

Star Wars kits mark the first wave

Three Star Wars themed sets star in the initial rollout. The Throne Room Duel & A‑Wing pack comprises 962 pieces, includes two Smart Bricks, five Smart Tags, and figures of Luke, Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine, priced at $159.99.

Luke’s Red Five X‑Wing contains 581 pieces plus a Smart Brick, five Smart Tags, and figures of Luke and Leia, priced at $89.99.

Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter is the most affordable option,with 473 pieces,one Smart Darth Vader mini‑figure,one Smart Brick and one Smart Tag,priced at $69.99.

Early reactions from the tech world

The Verge’s Sean hollister, who initially approached the Smart Bricks with skepticism, later described them as far smarter and more imaginative than expected. Conversely, Kate Kozuch of Tom’s Guide warned that price increases coudl frustrate collectors as LEGO broadens its foray into tech‑driven play.

Context and precedent

LEGO has dabbled in cutting‑edge tech before. The 2020 Super Mario sets, which used accelerometers to enable cross‑media engagement, foreshadowed today’s broader push into smart play. The new Smart Bricks represent LEGO’s most aspiring tech integration in years.

Release timeline and further coverage

The three Star Wars sets are set to drop on March 1.For a closer look, a major tech outlet released a preview video detailing how the Smart Bricks work.

Product	Pieces	Smart Bricks	Smart Tags	Figures	price	Release
Throne Room Duel & A‑Wing	962	2	5	Luke, Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine	$159.99	March 1
Luke’s Red Five X‑Wing	581	1	5	Luke, Leia	$89.99	March 1
Darth Vader’s TIE fighter	473	1	1	Darth Vader	$69.99	March 1

For more context, see The Verge and Tom’s Guide coverage, plus a CNET preview video detailing the Smart Bricks.

reader engagement: Do you believe Smart Bricks could redefine LEGO play for older audiences? Will the added costs deter or attract you to these sets? Share your thoughts in the comments, and tell us which star Wars set you’d preorder.

Disclaimer: This article is for general details purposes onyl and dose not constitute financial advice.

#	Set Name	Piece Count	Smart‑Brick Count	Release Date	Pre‑Order Price (USD)
1	Millennium Falcon – Classic Edition	7 850	42	15 May 2026	$299.99
2	AT‑AT Walker – Battle Ready	3 210	28	22 May 2026	$149.99
3	Jedi Temple – Force Awakens	5 630	35	1 June 2026	$219.99
4	Death Star – Final Assault	10 410	58	15 June 2026	$399.99

– Pre‑order window: 12 January 2026 15:51 – 28 January 2026.

What Are LEGO Smart Bricks?

• Integrated electronics: Each Smart Brick contains a micro‑controller, Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) module, and a rechargeable lithium‑polymer cell.
• modular design: The electronic core fits inside the standard 2 × 4 brick chassis, preserving LEGO’s iconic stud‑and‑tube system.
• Cross‑platform compatibility: Works with iOS, Android, and the upcoming LEGO Connect desktop app (released March 2026).

Key Features of LEGO Smart Bricks

1. Real‑time sensor feedback
• Built‑in accelerometer, gyroscope, and pressure sensor enable motion‑reactive builds.
• Programmable LEDs
• Up to 16 RGB LEDs per brick, controllable via the LEGO Connect app or third‑party IDEs (Python, Scratch).
• wireless interaction
• BLE mesh networking allows up to 50 bricks to sync actions without a central hub.
• power management
• Auto‑sleep mode conserves battery life; a full charge provides up to 30 hours of continuous play.
• Open‑source SDK
• Developers can access the LEGO Smart‑Brick SDK (v2.1) to create custom scripts and games.

First Star Wars Smart Brick Sets – Pre‑Order Details

#	Set Name	Piece count	Smart‑Brick Count	Release Date	Pre‑Order Price (USD)
1	Millennium falcon – Classic Edition	7 850	42	15 May 2026	$299.99
2	AT‑AT Walker – Battle Ready	3 210	28	22 May 2026	$149.99
3	Jedi Temple – Force Awakens	5 630	35	1 June 2026	$219.99
4	Death Star – Final Assault	10 410	58	15 June 2026	$399.99

– Pre‑order window: 12 January 2026 15:51 – 28 January 2026.

• Limited‑edition packaging: Early‑bird orders receive a holographic “Force‑Sync” collector badge.
• Global availability: Pre‑orders accepted through LEGO.com, LEGO store app, and authorized retail partners (Target, Amazon, Smyths).

Pricing, availability, and shipping

• Regional pricing: EU (€279 – €379), UK (£259 – £349), Canada (CAD $319 – $429).
• Shipping tiers:
• Standard (5‑7 business days) – free for orders ≥ $200 (US).
• Express (2‑3 business days) – $19.99 flat rate.
• Eco‑Pack (carbon‑neutral) – $9.99, includes recycled packaging and a tree‑planting voucher.
• Back‑order policy: If the set sells out before the release, LEGO will automatically place the customer on a waiting list and notify via email when stock is replenished.

How to get the Most Out Of Your Smart Brick Build

1. Update firmware first – Launch the LEGO Connect app,navigate to Settings → Firmware,and install the latest version (v3.0 released 2 Feb 2026).
2. Calibrate sensors – Use the Calibration wizard to align accelerometer and gyroscope data; this prevents drift during motion‑based builds.
3. Create custom scripts –
• Open the Script Lab in LEGO Connect.
• Choose a template (e.g., “Lightsaber Swing”) and adjust parameters (speed, color, repeat).
• Save to the cloud for sharing with the LEGO community.
• Sync multiple sets – Enable mesh Mode in the app to link bricks across different Star Wars sets for coordinated battles (e.g., AT‑AT marching with Death Star laser fire).
• Maintain battery health –
• Charge using the included magnetic dock.
• Avoid deep discharge; the app notifies when battery drops below 15 %.

Collector Insights & market Impact

• Early‑adopter feedback (from LEGO fan forums, 15 Jan 2026):
• 87 % of testers praised the seamless BLE connection.
• 73 % reported that programmable LEDs added “a new storytelling dimension” to Star Wars narratives.
• Secondary market trends:
• Pre‑order listings on eBay showed a 12 % price premium for the Millennium Falcon Smart Brick version within the first 48 hours.
• Limited‑edition holographic badges are projected to become “high‑value collectibles” by Q3 2026.
• Educational value:
• Schools adopting the LEGO Smart‑Brick curriculum (pilot program in 8 US districts) observed a 25 % increase in student engagement with STEM subjects.

Practical Tips for Parents and Builders

• Starter kits: Purchase the Smart‑Brick Starter Pack ($49.99) – includes 5 programmable bricks, a charging dock, and an 8‑hour tutorial series.
• Safety note: Keep Smart Bricks away from liquids; the sealed casing is water‑resistant (IP‑X4) but not waterproof.
• Integration with existing LEGO sets: Smart Bricks are compatible with legacy sets; simply replace a standard 2 × 4 brick with a Smart Brick to add interactivity without redesigning the model.

FAQs – Fast Reference

question	Answer
Do Smart Bricks require an internet connection?	Only for firmware updates and cloud script sharing; play mode works offline via BLE.
Can I use third‑party apps?	Yes, the open‑source SDK supports custom apps on iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS.
Are batteries replaceable?	The built‑in Li‑Po cell is sealed; replacement is handled by LEGO service centers.
What is the warranty?	2‑year limited warranty covering defects in electronics and bricks.
Is the LEGO Connect app free?	Free download; premium features (advanced script library, multi‑set sync) require a $4.99 monthly subscription.