
Are the Philips Hue Essential bulbs actually any good? Here's what you need to know about the smart light brand's budget range
THE SO WHAT
Hue’s budget line shows how incumbents defend share when cheaper ecosystems nip at the edges—strip features, keep the brand, hold the user in your app. If you run a premium hardware or SaaS line, you likely need a similar “essential” tier before someone else defines it for you.
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