ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Three new Amazon Alexa tablets feature Alexa+ and premium construction, including a 12-inch Pro model.
- The tablets finally support Google Play, addressing a pain point for users.
- Amazon also launched two new Kids’ Tablets.
Amazon just announced three new Alexa Tablets, a trio of AI-powered Android tablets for work and entertainment with a more “Pro” build. The new tablets are an unexpected upgrade for Amazon, and an indication that the company is moving away from budget-focused tablets to more premium devices.
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The lineup starts at $230 and includes the Amazon Alexa Tablet 8, the Amazon Alexa Tablet 11 at $330, and the Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, which starts at $500. All three tablets are currently available for pre-order, and will start shipping on October 14.
1. Finally, Google Play access
Aside from being designed to work with Alexa+, the biggest change with these tablets is that they’re the first of the newer Amazon tablets to support access to Google Play, not just Amazon’s walled app store.
Amazon also announced a set of new Kids’ Tablets in bright colors and ready-to-go bundles with access to Google Play, though parents will still be able to control which apps their kids can access and download.
2. Alexa+ integrations everywhere
As the name indicates, the Alexa Tablets feature the Alexa+ virtual assistant integrated throughout. Instead of just having Alexa+ as a voice assistant, the new tablets feature the AI assistant woven into the interface, similar to how Gemini is for typical Android tablets.
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The new Alexa Tablets can have Alexa interpret what is on your screen and answer questions about it. You can also have live, ongoing conversations without repeating the wake word before each one.
3. Completely new hardware
On the hardware side, the Alexa Tablets also feature a major upgrade. The Tablet 8 features 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage for everyday use. The Tablet 11 has 8GB of RAM and 64GB of storage for extra entertainment and light work.
Most notably, though, the three tablets feature a more upscale aluminum design, which should feel like a considerable upgrade when compared to the older tablets’ plastic construction.
4. Pro-level performance and accessories
The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, however, has a 4nm 8-core processor, 8GB or 16GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. It also features a 12-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate and comes with the option of a Nanomatte anti-glare display tablet for $50 more, starting at $550. You can also get a Pro Pen with the Pro tablet for $90, which supports 4,096 pressure levels, has tilt detection, and wireless charging.
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Amazon also sells a Pro Keyboard for this flagship tablet, which is magnetic, features a trackpad, and requires no Bluetooth pairing. Instead of a simple iterative update, the new Alexa Tablets are an entirely redesigned lineup that could reposition Amazon tablets as full-fledged Android tablets.
New Amazon Kids Tablets
Amazon also launched two new, upgraded Kids Tablets: the Amazon Kids Tablet 8, starting at $230, and the Amazon Kids Tablet 11, starting at $330. The Kids’ tablets come in an 8.7-inch and 11-inch form factor, the latter of which has a 2.5K display and 8GB of RAM.
The Kids Tablets also feature Android instead of FireOS, improved hardware and screen resolution, AI-powered storytelling, and more convenient parental controls. Unfortunately, the Kids Tablets feature a one-year limited warranty, which is a considerable reduction from the previous tablets’ two-year, worry-free guarantee.
