Amazon is making a major change to its tablet business, replacing its long-running Fire OS devices with a new lineup of Android tablets that finally support Google Play.
The new Alexa Tablets give users access to popular apps such as YouTube, Gmail, and Google Maps without the workarounds previously required on Fire tablets.
It’s a significant shift for Amazon, which spent more than a decade keeping its tablets tied to its own app store and software ecosystem.
The new lineup includes three aluminum tablets starting at $229.99, with larger models offering features that put them in direct competition with Apple’s iPad.
A Cheaper Alternative to iPad
The flagship Alexa Tablet 12 Pro starts at $499.99 and features a 12-inch display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage.
Amazon also offers a $549.99 version with a Nanomatte display developed with Corning to reduce glare.
That’s particularly interesting compared with Apple’s nano-texture iPad Pro, which requires a much more expensive 1TB or 2TB configuration.
The 12 Pro also costs considerably less than Apple’s $749 iPad Air, while offering a larger screen and higher refresh rate. Amazon claims up to 16 hours of video playback.
For productivity, an optional $149.99 keyboard includes a trackpad, while an $89.99 stylus supports pressure sensitivity and wireless charging.
The smaller Alexa Tablet 11 starts at $329.99 with an 11-inch 90Hz display, while the compact Alexa Tablet 8 costs $229.99 and features an 8.7-inch screen.
Alexa+ Comes Built In
All three tablets include Alexa+, Amazon’s AI assistant, for answering questions, controlling smart home devices, and helping with everyday tasks.
A feature called On-Screen Intelligence can also use information displayed on the tablet to provide more relevant assistance. It’s disabled by default and displays an indicator when active.
Alexa+ access is included on the tablets, although using the assistant across other compatible devices may require Amazon Prime or a separate subscription.
There’s also a dedicated Kindle reading mode that reduces distractions and blue-light output, with Amazon claiming up to 20 hours of reading on the larger models.
Kids Models and Availability
Amazon is introducing Kids versions of the 8.7-inch and 11-inch tablets, starting at $229.99 and $329.99.
Both include protective cases, a year of Amazon Kids+, and parental controls for managing Google Play access. A new Storybuilder feature lets children narrate stories that the tablet turns into illustrated adventures.
Orders open October 8, with shipping beginning October 14 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. European availability follows October 19.
