Well, this is interesting. An update to the Philips Hue app may have accidentally let slip an unannounced product—a Hue Secure video doorbell. First spotted by Hueblog, the mysterious device appears in a section of the app meant for adding products without a QR code. Oops?
From the looks of it—thanks to screenshots captured by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy—the Hue Secure doorbell sports a sleek, no-nonsense design: tall, rectangular, and featuring what seems to be a large, glowing LED ring around its button. Classic, yet modern. And as of this writing? It’s still sitting there in the app, hiding in plain sight.
Image Source – X
Diving into the setup instructions revealed a few more juicy details before hitting a dead end. It appears this might be a wired device, considering references to low-voltage errors and the requirement to “physically install” the camera before setup. It also supports both Bluetooth (likely for the initial pairing process) and Wi-Fi. But don’t hold your breath just yet—according to Hueblog, this doorbell isn’t expected to launch until fall, meaning specs and pricing are still a mystery.
However, if history is any indicator, the best way to gauge expectations is to look at Philips Hue’s existing Secure lineup. The company’s floodlight and indoor/outdoor cameras, launched in 2023, deliver 1080p video, two-way talk, and end-to-end encrypted recordings. They also come with smart alerts for people, pets, and vehicles—but, notably, no support for HomeKit Secure Video. And unless something changes, it’s likely this new doorbell will follow suit.
So, was this a calculated tease or a genuine slip-up? Either way, it’s got smart home enthusiasts buzzing. If you’re in the market for a video doorbell, it might be worth waiting to see how this one shapes up.
