I like the changes. I found the old look unappealing for those same reasons.
I think the highlighted part looks okay, but it could use a bit more volume:
- Where is the overall light coming from? If it's from above, perhaps the big back-plate could cast more of a shadow on the sides?
- The light from the white circle feels a bit flat. It should probably illuminate other bits on the side, and the illuminated part that has two smaller lights in it looks very flat illuminated the way it is.