Amazon drops a new line of Android tablets branded under Alexa, bringing Google Play access and a focused Alexa experience to three sizes.
Amazon unveiled three new Alexa Tablets running Android with Google Play, marking a move away from Fire. The lineup includes an 8-inch, an 11-inch, and a 12 Pro version. Prices in the US start at $229.99 for the 8-inch model and go up to $499.99 for the 12 Pro. All three ship on Oct. 14. They aim to blend strong Alexa features with a true tablet experience and access to millions of Android apps via Google Play.
For everyday users, this means you can pick a device that fits your reading or video-watching needs while keeping your smart home in easy reach with Alexa. If you want a more laptop-like experience, the 12 Pro with a keyboard and stylus might be worth a look.
Amazon is expanding its hardware lineup with a new trio of tablets that ditch the old Fire branding for a more conventional Android tablet experience. The devices, marketed under the Alexa Tablet banner, give users access to the Google Play Store and a familiar app ecosystem while keeping Alexa at the center of the experience. There are three sizes in the lineup: 8 inches, 11 inches, and a premium 12 Pro variant. Preorders are open now, with full shipments slated to begin on Oct. 14.
The move away from Fire signals a broader shift for Amazon’s hardware strategy. By adopting Android and the Google Play Store, the Alexa Tablets can run millions of apps, including popular productivity tools and media apps many shoppers already use on non-Amazon devices. The tablets still integrate tightly with Alexa, so you can ask questions, control smart home devices, or shop on Amazon hands-free just like you would with a voice assistant in the home.
There are three models. The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro is the flagship, measuring about 6.5 millimeters thick and weighing 550 grams, with display options of 12.5 inches and a high-refresh-rate screen. The base price for the 12 Pro starts at $499, and larger RAM and storage options are available for higher prices.
The Alexa Tablet 11 is a step down in size and price, starting at $329.99. It’s designed for media consumption with a larger screen than the 8-inch model but lighter on some high-end features. The Alexa Tablet 8 is the most compact option, starting at $229.99, and is pitched as a reading- and light-multitasking device.
Key differences include the switch to Android and Google Play, which unlocks a broader app library. Amazon also rolled in an aluminum unibody design across all models, matching the look of premium tablets and making the devices feel sturdier than older Fire tablets. The 12 Pro adds options like a fancy glass finish and a high-refresh-rate screen to improve reading, browsing, and multitasking.
Amazon offers a keyboard case and a stylus for the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, turning it into more of a portable productivity tool. Across the lineup, you’ll find built-in Kindle reading modes, a focus on Prime Video and other Amazon services, and Alexa Plus, which aims to blend the voice assistant with on-screen recommendations and help while you’re using apps.
For most shoppers, the big takeaway is flexibility. You get a tablet that can run many Android apps with access to Google Play, plus the voice-powered Alexa features you already know from smart speakers and Echo devices. If you’ve been eyeing a more capable tablet but wanted better access to apps outside of Amazon’s ecosystem, the Alexa Tablet lineup gives you that option at a range of prices. It also offers a middle ground between budget tablets and premium options, with a design that looks more like high-end rivals than the old, plastic Fire tablets.
Prices start at $229.99 for the 8-inch model and go up to $499 for the 12 Pro, with preorder underway and shipments beginning Oct. 14. US shoppers will have a chance to compare model sizes side by side and decide whether the 12 Pro’s extra display and glass finish justify the price, or if the smaller tablets fit their reading or light-work needs.
When can I buy them?
Preorders are open now, with shipping starting Oct. 14 in the US.
Do they run Google Play?
Yes. All three models run Android and include access to the Google Play Store.
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Amazon unveils a new trio of Alexa Tablets that ditch Fire OS for Android, syncing with your Amazon account and offering full Play Store access.
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