Alexa Tablets Rise as Amazon Fire Tablets Fade Away

Amazon is making significant changes to its tablet lineup, retiring its budget-friendly Fire tablets. The new Alexa Tablets will replace them, starting at a higher price point of $229.99 and reaching up to $549.99.

Set to launch on October 19, the Alexa Tablets come in three display sizes: 8 inches, 11 inches, and a 12-inch “Pro” version. These tablets represent a substantial upgrade for Amazon, transitioning from the low-cost materials typical of Fire tablets to more premium aluminum bodies, faster processors, and enhanced display quality.

Got to check out the new Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro with “Nanomatte” display

Compared to the standard glossy version, it really cuts down on reflections/glare

The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro also has 3 Kindle mode display profiles: standard (regular), Color Paper (softer color tones… pic.twitter.com/WGe9fAyDI4

— Ray Wong (@raywongy) October 8, 2026

This redesign is not merely cosmetic. The Alexa Tablets resolve a long-standing issue faced by Fire tablets: app availability. While the Fire OS was based on Android, Amazon previously limited access to Google Play services, restricting the app ecosystem. With the new Alexa Tablets, users will have full access to Google Play services, enabling them to download popular applications like YouTube, Gmail, and Maps, along with many third-party options such as Snapchat and Reddit.

Alexa, Amazon’s artificial intelligence assistant, plays a crucial role in the user experience. The home screen features the Alexa+ Dynamic Tab widget, which shows movies, TV shows, e-books, and games that users can easily resume. Users can access the Alexa+ chat interface by swiping from the lower right corner, enabling them to ask questions or make requests related to the content displayed on the screen. The “A” button provides quick access to smart home controls managed by Alexa.

“The team dedicated two years to completely redesigning our tablet lineup,” Panay shared with Gizmodo. “We’ve sold millions of tablets through Amazon over the years, but nothing compares to this.”

Discover the Features of the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro

The flagship model, the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, boasts a 12-inch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio (2,800 x 1,840 resolution) and a 120Hz refresh rate. At just 6.5mm thick, it feels comparable to other premium tablets like the iPad Pro and Samsung Galaxy Tab. Unique to this model is a cursive “Alexa” etched on the back, while the smaller 8- and 11-inch versions feature Amazon’s iconic smile logo.

Panay expressed particular pride in the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro. Designed to resemble a Surface Pro when paired with the optional Pro Keyboard ($149.99) and Pro Pen ($89.99), this tablet is not only suitable for entertainment but also for productivity. The expansive 12-inch display allows users to run two apps side by side without compromising readability.

The tablet is available with two display options: a standard glossy version starting at $499.99 and a matte “nanomatte” version, which reduces glare and starts at $549.99. The nanomatte display provides a unique reading experience, making content appear as though it is floating above the screen. While this description may seem exaggerated, the matte surface remains highly visible even under direct sunlight. Although colors and contrast are not as vibrant as the glossy version, they still provide an appealing visual experience, unlike the muted tones found in e-readers like the Kindle Colorsoft.

On the hardware front, the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro features an 8-core processor paired with either 8GB of RAM for the standard display or 16GB for the nanomatte version. Amazon claims this setup provides “nearly three times faster” CPU performance and “nine times faster graphics” compared to any previous tablet they’ve released. The device is powered by a 4nm MediaTek 8400 chip. In preliminary tests, the Android interface felt responsive, but comprehensive performance benchmarks using Geekbench 7 will be necessary to compare it accurately against competitors like the iPad or Galaxy Tab. Anticipate performance that may not reach the highest industry standards. Both versions of the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro start with a minimum of 128GB of storage, while the nanomatte variant offers an option for 256GB.

Amazon claims the tablet can provide up to 16 hours of continuous video playback and supports the latest Wi-Fi 6E technology. It also includes quad Dolby Atmos speakers for an immersive audio experience and a fingerprint reader integrated into the power button.

The camera setup includes a 13-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front-facing camera, positioned on the long edge of the device. While Amazon has not disclosed the specific resolutions, my initial impressions suggest they are adequate for casual use—just avoid using them in low-light situations like concerts.

The software experience on the Alexa Tablets is a significant improvement over Fire OS. The customized Android interface is user-friendly and intuitive, allowing users to navigate easily. Notifications and quick settings are accessible by swiping down from the top, while the app drawer can be found by swiping up from the bottom. Everything functions as expected on Android, which should make it easy for new users to adapt.

“When I pick up my new tablet that I’ve never used before, I want it to feel intuitive,” Panay emphasized. “It should just work without requiring a learning curve.”

A notable feature is the Kindle mode, which transforms the Amazon Tablet 12 Pro into an e-reader, especially beneficial with the nanomatte display. This mode mutes notifications, cuts blue light, and extends battery life up to an impressive 20 hours. Users can choose from three picture modes within the settings: “Standard” for vibrant colors, “Color Paper” for a softer printed-paper feel, and “Ink Paper” for a grayscale display that mimics traditional e-readers.

Now, let’s discuss Alexa+ integration. It is seamlessly incorporated into the user experience without disrupting Android functionality. My hands-on experience was somewhat limited due to slow hotel Wi-Fi, so I cannot definitively speak to Alexa+’s performance in everyday conditions. during my testing, it provided useful information, such as weather updates, music playback, alarm settings, and even summarizing articles I was reading. I found it particularly helpful when I used it to add products from an article to my shopping cart, successfully adding most items with only a few exceptions.

Importantly, users can opt-out of Alexa+’s “on-screen intelligence.” If you prefer not to have Alexa+ read your screen for contextual information, you can disable this feature, with a visual indicator showing when Alexa+ is actively engaged.

“My passion for tablets runs deep, and I never imagined creating such a powerful device in the $400 to $500 range,” Panay remarked. (For context, Panay previously worked at Microsoft and led the design of the Surface 2-in-1 tablet/laptop hybrid.)

Explore the Alexa Tablet 11 Features

The next model is the $329.99 Alexa Tablet 11, which features a slightly smaller 11-inch glossy screen and a resolution of 2.5K. It has a refresh rate of 90Hz, which is lower than the 120Hz of the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro. Unlike the larger model, Amazon does not offer a keyboard or pen for this version, indicating it’s primarily designed for content consumption.

Despite this, it still features an 8-core MediaTek 8199 processor and 8GB of RAM. The base model offers 64GB of storage, while a higher-priced version includes 128GB. The audio experience is also reduced, with only two Dolby Atmos speakers compared to the four in the Pro model, and it offers 15 hours of video playback instead of 16. Just like its larger counterpart, it also features a fingerprint reader in the power button.

Both the front and rear feature 8-megapixel cameras, suitable for basic photography needs.

The Alexa Tablet 11 is available in graphite, amethyst, and matcha, providing a vibrant and appealing aesthetic.

The 8-core chip in the Alexa Tablet 11 operates at a lower speed of 2GHz compared to the faster 3.25GHz in the 12 Pro, leading to a slightly less responsive performance. Despite this, the software experience remains consistent across both models, featuring the same Alexa-powered Dynamic Tab and shortcut.

Unlock the Potential of the Alexa Tablet 8

The most affordable option among the new Amazon tablets is the Alexa Tablet 8, priced at $229.99. This model is designed for portability, featuring an 8.7-inch screen, an 8-core MediaTek 8189 chip, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. The battery life is rated for up to 14 hours of video playback, making it a practical choice for casual users.

Similar to its counterparts, the Alexa Tablet 8 is housed in an aluminum case and is equipped with a 5-megapixel front camera and an 8-megapixel rear camera.

The Alexa Tablet 8 is available in graphite as well as two vibrant options, rosette and teal, appealing to a broad range of tastes.

Among the three tablets, the 8-inch model may exhibit the slowest performance despite sharing a chip with the Alexa Tablet 11. I noticed some lag when swiping through the home screen. It’s possible that the demo units featured pre-release software, and final production models will perform better. my experience was marked by noticeable lag. There are two variants of the Alexa Tablet 8 available: one with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, and another with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. I’m unsure which model I tested.

What’s New for Amazon Kids Tablets?

For younger audiences, Amazon is offering “kids” versions of the Alexa Tablet 8 and 11. While the specifications mirror those of the standard models, customers can opt for a soft bumper case or a slim hard case with an integrated kickstand. If you’re familiar with Amazon’s previous Fire tablet offerings for kids, these models maintain a similar software experience tailored for younger users.

The Kids Tablet 8 and Kids Tablet 11 are priced identically to their non-kids counterparts, at $229.99 and $329.99, respectively.

What Will Happen to the Fire Tablets?

Amazon has announced it will discontinue the Fire tablets, but the company will continue to provide security updates for them. The duration of this support remains unspecified, but users can expect updates for critical vulnerabilities as they arise.

“We will continue to support all customers,” Panay stated. “There are many people who appreciate their Fire tablets, and we will ensure they can continue to enjoy them.”

If your Fire tablet is still functional, you can continue using it or pass it on to someone else. If you choose not to keep it, consider recycling or donating it. The new Alexa Tablets offer superior features in terms of design, software, and app support, but there’s no reason to discard a working device. Explore options for giving it a second life until it is truly no longer supported.