Amazon's Fire tablets are on the way out, and Google Play is finally in.
On October 8, Amazon announced three new Alexa Tablets: the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, Alexa Tablet 11 and Alexa Tablet 8. They run Android with the full Google Play Store, so apps like YouTube, Gmail and Google Docs install the normal way. Amazon's own apps, like Prime Video, Kindle, Audible and Amazon Music, come built in.
All three are built around Alexa+, Amazon's newer AI assistant. Orders are open now at Amazon.com, Best Buy and Target, and the tablets ship on October 14 in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Amazon devices chief Panos Panay told reporters that Amazon will phase out the Fire tablet line, according to iClarified. Existing Fire tablets will keep getting security updates.
Key dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| October 8 | Alexa Tablets and Amazon Kids Tablets announced, orders open |
| October 14 | Ships in the U.S., Canada and Mexico (Kids Tablets also in Japan) |
| October 19 | Ships in the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain |
All three Alexa Tablets side by side
| Alexa Tablet 12 Pro | Alexa Tablet 11 | Alexa Tablet 8 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $499.99 ($549.99 Nanomatte) | $329.99 | $229.99 |
| Screen | 12" 2.8K, 280 ppi, 120Hz, 3:2 | 11" 2.5K, 276 ppi, 90Hz, 16:10 | 8.7" |
| Chip | 4nm 8-core | 8-core | 8-core |
| RAM / storage | 8GB/128GB or 16GB/256GB | 8GB/64GB or 8GB/128GB | 4GB/64GB (more options on Amazon) |
| Battery (video) | Up to 16 hours | Up to 15 hours | Up to 14 hours |
| Speakers | Quad, Dolby Atmos | Dual, Dolby Atmos | Dual stereo |
| Cameras (rear / front) | 13MP / 8MP | 8MP / 8MP | 8MP / 5MP |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Body | Aluminum, 6.5mm | Aluminum | Aluminum, 7.95mm, 329g |
| Colors | Graphite | Graphite, Amethyst, Matcha | Graphite, Rosette, Teal |
Amazon does not name the chip in its announcement. MacRumors reports it is a MediaTek Dimensity 8400. Amazon's store listings also show memory options that its press post does not mention, such as an 8GB/128GB Alexa Tablet 8, so check the exact configuration and price at checkout.
The 12 Pro has two optional accessories: the Pro Keyboard at $149.99, which attaches with magnets and needs no Bluetooth pairing, and the Pro Pen at $89.99. iClarified reports the pen uses USI 2.0 with 4,096 pressure levels and charges wirelessly when it snaps on.
What is new
Google Play, for real. This is the big change. Fire tablets used Amazon's own app store, which missed many popular apps. These tablets get the full Google Play Store, so the "can I get this app?" problem goes away.
Alexa+ on screen. Alexa now lives on the tablet itself. You can ask questions, control smart home devices without leaving your app, and have a back-and-forth chat without saying the wake word every time. Amazon calls this Live Sessions.
On-Screen Intelligence. If you turn it on, Alexa can read what is on your screen and help with it. Amazon says this is off by default, and a visual indicator shows when it is active. If you care about privacy, you can simply leave it off.
A better Kindle mode. A distraction-free reading mode silences notifications and offers warm, paper-tone and grayscale themes. Amazon says it stretches battery to up to 20 hours of reading on the 11 and 12 Pro.
Premium build. All three use an aluminum unibody. That is a big step up from the plastic Fire tablets.
The new Amazon Kids Tablets
Amazon also launched kids versions in two sizes:
| Kids Tablet 8.7-inch | Kids Tablet 11-inch | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $229.99 | $329.99 |
| Case | Soft bumper case (ages 3+) | Slim hard case (ages 6+) |
| Extras | 64GB, up to 14 hours of video | 2.5K screen, 8GB RAM, stylus support |
| Included | 1 year of Amazon Kids+, 1-year limited warranty | 1 year of Amazon Kids+, 1-year limited warranty |
After the first year, Kids+ costs $7.99 a month for Prime members and $8.99 a month for everyone else. Parents can open up Google Play, but every download needs parent approval through the Parent Dashboard app (free on iOS and Android). There is also a new voice tool called Storybuilder, where kids make up stories with AI.
Where each one wins
Alexa Tablet 12 Pro wins on:
- Screen. 12 inches, 2.8K, 120Hz and a 3:2 shape that suits documents and split-screen work.
- Work setup. It is the only one with the Pro Keyboard and Pro Pen.
- Sound and cameras. Four speakers and a 13MP rear camera.
Alexa Tablet 11 wins on:
- Value. You get a 2.5K 90Hz screen and 8GB of RAM for $329.99.
- Streaming and reading. It is big enough for movies and still light enough to hold.
- Colors. Three finishes, including Amethyst and Matcha.
Alexa Tablet 8 wins on:
- Size. At 329g it is light enough to read one-handed.
- Price. It is the cheapest way into the new lineup.
How do they compare with iPads? MacRumors points out that the $499.99 12 Pro costs less than an iPad Air, and the $329.99 Alexa Tablet 11 costs less than Apple's entry iPad. Apple's tablets still have a far bigger tablet app library and long-proven software support, so this is not a clear win on price alone.
Which should you buy?
- Most people: the Alexa Tablet 11. It hits the best mix of screen, speed and price for Netflix, YouTube, reading and browsing.
- Readers and travelers: the Alexa Tablet 8. It is small and light, and the Kindle mode is a nice touch.
- Students and light work: the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro with the Pro Keyboard and Pen. Budget about $740 for the full set ($499.99 + $149.99 + $89.99).
- Parents of young kids: the Kids Tablet 8.7-inch with the bumper case. Older kids who draw should get the 11-inch with stylus support.
- Heavy app users or iPhone owners: an iPad still makes more sense. Your apps, AirDrop and iMessage just work.
- Wait: if you are not in a hurry, wait for reviews after October 14. This is a new platform for Amazon. Battery life, Alexa+ quality and how well apps run on these screens are all still untested.
If you already own a Fire tablet, there is no rush. Amazon says it will keep sending security updates.
To see how the top tablets compare, read our iPad Pro vs Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra vs Surface Pro 11 benchmark, or line up any two devices with our comparison tool.
Other tech news this week
- Apple will announce its first touchscreen MacBook on October 27, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, as reported by GSMArena. Apple's smart home event is still set for October 13.
- OPPO will launch the Find X10 and Find X10 Pro Max globally on October 21.
- Google is limiting free Gemini users to the Flash Lite model starting October 9. The standard Flash model now needs at least the $4.99-a-month Google AI Plus plan, according to AI Weekly.
Sources
- Amazon: New Amazon Alexa Tablets with Alexa+
- Amazon: New Amazon Kids Tablets
- TechCrunch: Amazon unveils new Alexa tablets with Alexa+ and Google Play Store access
- MacRumors: Amazon unveils new iPad rivals with Alexa+ and Google Play
- iClarified: Amazon launches Alexa Tablets with Google Play and Alexa+, starting at $229.99
- Amazon.com: Alexa Tablet 11 listing
- Amazon.com: Alexa Tablet 12 Pro listing
- GSMArena: Latest mobile news
- AI Weekly: AI news today
Product image: Amazon press materials (Amazon Alexa Tablet).
