Amazon shifts its tablet strategy to stock Android, adds Google Play, and positions three Alexa Tablets as affordable alternatives to the iPad. Here’s what it means for everyday users.
Amazon just announced three Alexa Tablets that run stock Android and include Google Play. Prices start at $229 for the 8.7-inch model, $329 for the 11-inch, and $499 for the 12-inch Pro. The lineup emphasizes Alexa integration and a blue-light–reducing reader mode. This is a shift from older Fire tablets, which used a custom OS and app store. For everyday users, the key takeaway is more Android app options at a lower price point and better smart-home integration. Whether these replace your current tablet will depend on app optimization for larger screens and how much you value Alexa features. Available now in the US.
Amazon unveiled a new lineup of Alexa Tablets this week, marking a clear shift from the earlier Fire tablet strategy. The new devices run a stock version of Android and include Google Play, the store many people prefer for apps. In other words, these tablets aren’t tied to a proprietary Fire OS anymore, which should make them more familiar to anyone who’s used an Android tablet in the past.
There are three models to start: an 8.7-inch tablet for $229, an 11-inch model for $329, and a 12-inch Pro model for $499. The middle model stands out for offering 8GB of RAM, a 90Hz display, a slim design, and a punchy screen for the price. When you compare specs to a budget iPad, the Alexa Tablet middle tier pulls ahead on RAM and display quality at a lower starting price, though the iPad’s chip and storage options still pull ahead in some areas.
On the software side, Alexa remains a big focus. The tablets feature Alexa integration baked in, which should help hands-free use around the home. Amazon is also leaning into a reader mode that reduces blue light, a nod to readers who plan to use the device for long sessions of news, books, or streaming.
Hardware and software aren’t perfect partners yet. Android on large screens can feel imperfect compared with iPadOS in terms of app optimization and multitasking. Still, Amazon is betting a broader app library and better price-to-performance mix will attract people who want a more flexible Android experience without paying top-tier tablet prices.
What matters for everyday readers is simple: you’ll have more choices in the tablet market, especially if you want a larger screen for video, reading, or kitchen recipe browsing, without spending a lot. If you’re already in the Amazon ecosystem or rely on Alexa for smart-home tasks, these tablets could slip into your daily routine fairly naturally.
The three models are the 8.7-inch, the 11-inch, and the 12-inch Pro. Prices start at $229, $329, and $499 respectively. The 8.7-inch is the most affordable entry point, while the 11-inch model blends portability with a bigger display, and the 12-inch Pro targets those who want a larger canvas and higher-specs. The presence of Google Play means you’ll likely find more Android apps available than on older Fire tablets.
Unlike the older Fire line, the Alexa Tablets use stock Android with Google Play. That makes app installation and updates more in line with standard Android tablets. The design and build quality also lean more premium than before, especially on the larger models, which should help them stand up in a crowded market.
If you want a larger screen for streaming, reading, browsing, or kitchen tasks, these devices offer a more familiar Android experience for a similar price to some iPad models. The integration with Alexa could simplify voice controls around a smart home, and Google Play brings a wider app catalog. The biggest caveat is how well apps are optimized for larger screens and whether you’ll miss iPad-specific features you rely on today.
The new Alexa Tablets are available now in the US. If you’re curious about how they perform in real-world use, the coming months will be telling as it compares against iPads in various price bands and in homes with mixed Android and Apple devices.
Yes, they run a stock version of Android with Google Play, not Amazon’s older Fire OS.
Most apps available on Google Play should install, though some tablet-optimized experiences may vary by app.
You're reading the quick version.
The Bell-owned flanker brand brings back a limited-time $45 CAD per month for 20GB data, with new activations only and an expiry date of Oct. 13.
Developers are already turning Apple’s folding phone into instruments, games, and quirky utilities ahead of the Oct. 23 launch.
Non‑US brands are sharpening their foldable phone play, with new models matching or exceeding the iPhone Duo’s passport‑style design in key ways.
The Daily Brief
Every morning, the news that matters from AI, phones, apps and the people shaping tech. Explained in plain English. Free.
One email a day. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy
