The built in fan is nothing new. My 2017 WFW92 has the fan, capacitive touch controls, Load & Go, etc. It's just missing the recirculator pump that was added in the refresh design that's currently out.
I'm disgusted seeing they're going back to the hideous center knob. Their current models with the horizontal touch bar have been the most gorgeous control panel design on the sale's floor. I've been eyeing the 8620 set in white as what would replace my current charcoal grey 92 set, because they also have already had front access to the drain on models with the Load & Go drawer, and still have balance rings, which is my deal breaker seeing that a lot of manufacturers are ditching them. I suppose now, if this is going to be the styling they go with going forward, I'll just hold on to my set until they die and live with being sick of the dark grey color. I just know the day that I finally DO replace these machines, I'll never go with a color other than pure white. These dark colors look so early-2010s dated.
As far as the door glass being acrylic, I haven't seen a single person complain, and even in a condo we stayed at the summer that had a 5xxx model washer, there wasn't a single scratch on it, and you know good and well people are throwing things in carelessly and letting it rip with open buttons and zippers. I was concerned at first, but the door still feels very solid with a satisfying thunk to open and close, just like all of Whirlpool's current top-end model top load washers and dishwashers. So I'm not that concerned about it.
I just really hate that this is the new control panel design because it blends right back in with every run of the mill LG or Samsung. The current design has always reminded me of the electronic Lady Kenmores like my grandparents had, even the rectangle touch pads and the font.