FabianPhilips Hue continues to refine its software and is rolling out updates in two categories. Let’s start with a quick look at the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box 4K. The new model is receiving a firmware update to version 3.5.2, which is intended to improve stability during long-term operation. There are also improvements to network security. Overall, nothing too spectacular.
The situation is quite different for the newer generations of Hue lights. Specifically, this applies to the 100b-129 hardware platform. This includes all new products released this year, as well as the E27 bulbs and GU10 spotlights from fall 2025—in other words, all devices with a built-in Matter over Thread chip. In the update description for software version 1.164.2, Philips Hue lists the following points:
- Bug fixes and stability improvements
- Added support for Matter 1.4.1
- Added support for Matter Apple adaptive lighting
- Added support for Zigbee and Matter concurrency in bridgeless mode
The first three points are relatively self-explanatory. But what’s the deal with the fourth and final point?
Matter update was already announced this summer
I assume this is a feature that Philips Hue announced back in the summer and promised for later this year: the simultaneous use of lights via Zigbee and Matter over Thread. This allows a direct Matter connection via Thread to be established in addition to the existing connection to the Hue Bridge.
If you’re using a Hue Bridge, this might not sound all that interesting at first glance. After all, nearly all Hue products can be connected to Matter via the Hue Bridge. At least as far as control is concerned, there’s likely no advantage to having a simultaneous direct Thread connection. However, this does offer the option for the Hue lights—which are permanently powered—to extend the Thread network in your home, potentially making Thread devices located a bit further away more accessible.
The reverse scenario should also be practical: A Hue light already paired via Matter over Thread should, after the announced firmware update, be easier to pair with a Hue Bridge if one is installed later on.
