I found a huge difference in the quality and comfort of the business class seats and amenities between the long and short distance 777s earlier this year. The long distance 777 business class was competitive with other business class cabins (despite the 2-3-2 seating) I have been on but the short distance EK 777 was pretty bad!

Based on the renders, it appears that they will be retaining the blond faux-wood surfaces - that's one thing I did not like very much.