Amazon Unveils New Alexa Tablets With Alexa+ and Google Play
Amazon has introduced a brand-new hardware lineup consisting of the Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, Alexa Tablet 11, and Alexa Tablet 8, abandoning Fire OS in favor of custom Android with full Google Play Store access.
Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer
A Major Shift Away From Fire OS
Amazon has officially announced a brand-new lineup of devices known as <a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/1007648/amazon-alexa-tablets-price-specs">Alexa Tablets</a>, moving away from its traditional Fire OS and proprietary app store approach. Instead of rebranding previous hardware, <a href="https://techcrunch.com/tag/amazon/">Amazon</a> has developed an entirely new product line that runs on Android and comes with full, out-of-the-box access to the Google Play Store.
By opening the door to the Google Play Store, users can now download millions of mainstream applications—such as YouTube, Netflix, and Gmail—rather than being restricted to the smaller selection traditionally found on the Amazon Appstore. According to <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2280936/amazon-alexa-tablets-access-google-play/">Engadget</a>, this change allows the company to treat its custom operating system more similarly to how competitors like Samsung handle theirs, offering consumers significantly greater software freedom.
Flagship Alexa Tablet 12 Pro Performance and Display
At the top of the new hardware family sits the flagship <a href="https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/B736C5AvWvfjrN5ZuzfqGskdvTf?domain=amazon.com">Alexa Tablet 12 Pro</a>, which measures 6.5 mm thick and features an aluminum unibody design. Powered by an 8-core chip with up to 16GB of RAM, Amazon claims the Pro model delivers nearly three times the processing performance and nine times the graphics performance of any previous tablet it has shipped.
The device features a 12-inch display with a 280 PPI resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 3:2 aspect ratio tailored for multi-window multitasking, work, and entertainment. Buyers can choose between a standard display and a specialized <a href="https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/B736C5AvWvfjrN5ZuzfqGskdvTf?domain=amazon.com">Nanomatte model</a>, which utilizes sub-pixel etching developed alongside Corning to minimize glare and preserve contrast under bright lighting conditions.
To elevate the Pro variant into a complete workstation, Amazon also announced productivity accessories, including the $90 Alexa Tablet Pro Pen and the $150 Alexa Tablet Pro Keyboard. The standard <a href="https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/B736C5AvWvfjrN5ZuzfqGskdvTf?domain=amazon.com">Alexa Tablet 12 Pro</a> starts at $499.99 in Graphite, while the Nanomatte version starts at $549.99.
Alexa Tablet 11 and Alexa Tablet 8 Specifications
Rounding out the standard consumer lineup are two additional models designed for media consumption, daily browsing, and portability. The <a href="https://www.amazon.com/alexatablet11?ref=ods_surl_at11&tag=techcruncha-20">Alexa Tablet 11</a> features an 11-inch display with a 2.5K resolution, 276 pixels per inch, a 90Hz refresh rate, and a 16:10 cinematic aspect ratio. It offers up to 15 hours of video playback and dual Dolby Atmos speakers, starting at $329.99 in Graphite, Amethyst, and Matcha colorways.
Meanwhile, the <a href="https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/YxCNC6Yw0wtO4wjrt6h71s5NpTs?domain=amazon.com">Alexa Tablet 8</a> serves as the most compact option in the portfolio. It comes with an 8.7-inch display and an all-aluminum body weighing 329 grams, engineered for single-handed use on the go. Retailing from $229.99, it is available in Graphite, Rosette, and Teal.
Built-In AI With Alexa+ and On-Screen Intelligence
All three new tablets feature deep integration with the Alexa+ AI assistant. Users can interact with the system by speaking the wake word or pressing the dedicated "Ask Alexa" button to manage smart home devices, ask questions, or retrieve information.
Additionally, the devices support On-Screen Intelligence, an opt-in feature allowing Alexa to analyze what is currently displayed on the screen to provide contextual assistance. For example, users can ask the assistant to recommend a hiking trail from an open web list or extract specific calendar dates directly from an event itinerary viewed on the display.
Kid-Focused Models and Regional Availability
Alongside the standard devices, Amazon revealed new <a href="https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/devices/new-amazon-kids-tablets">Amazon Kids Tablets</a> in 8.7-inch and 11-inch sizes. These variants include kid-proof protective cases, parental control options via the Parent Dashboard, and a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, providing ad-free books, games, and videos.
The standard Alexa Tablets and <a href="https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/devices/new-amazon-kids-tablets">Amazon Kids Tablets</a> will be released on October 14, 2026, across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. A subsequent rollout in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain is scheduled for October 19, with the kids' variants also reaching Japan on October 14.
Sources
- TechCrunchAmazon unveils new Alexa tablets with Alexa+ and Google Play Store access
- The VergeAmazon’s new Kids Tablets let parents manage access to the Google Play store
- EngadgetAmazon's new Alexa tablets will have full access to Google Play
- EngadgetAmazon's new Alexa tablets include a 12-inch model with anti-glare screen
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