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Amazon has replaced its long-running Fire tablet line with a new family of higher-end devices branded as Alexa tablets. The company launched three sizes — focused mainly on entertainment at the smaller end and productivity at the top — and is selling them across the US, Mexico, Canada and several European markets.
Why the shift matters
Beyond a fresh name and design, the move signals a bigger software change. Alexa tablets run Android 16 with Amazon’s custom interface, giving users direct access to the Google Play Store. For people who found the Fire ecosystem limiting, that adds immediate appeal.
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One trade-off: none of the new models include a microSD slot for expanding storage.
The three Alexa tablets
Alexa Tablet 8 is the entry model, priced from $230. It has an 8.7-inch screen, an eight-core processor paired with a two-core graphics unit, 4GB of RAM and either 64GB or 128GB of storage. At 0.3 inches thick and roughly 16.4 ounces, it’s the lightest option. Amazon advertises up to 14 hours of video playback and about 19 hours of Kindle reading on a single charge.
Alexa Tablet 11, starting at $330, steps up the display and multimedia features. The 11-inch panel delivers 2.5K resolution at a 90Hz refresh rate and a 16:10 aspect ratio. The tablet combines an eight-core CPU, a two-core GPU and a fifth-generation MDLA NPU for on-device AI tasks. It includes 8GB of RAM, the same 64GB/128GB storage choices, and dual Dolby Atmos speakers. Battery life is rated up to 15 hours of video playback.
Flagship power and productivity
The top model, the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, carries a $500 price tag. Amazon describes it as its most powerful tablet yet, claiming “three times faster processing and nine times faster graphics” compared with prior Amazon tablets. The 12-inch display is 280 PPI, supports a 120Hz refresh rate and uses a 3:2 aspect ratio aimed at productivity work. Hardware highlights include an eight-core CPU, a seven-core GPU, an eighth-gen MDLA NPU, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Amazon rates the battery for up to 16 hours of video or about 20 hours of Kindle reading.
The 12 Pro and the 11-inch model both include a fingerprint sensor. An anti-glare display option called Nanomatte is available for an additional $50, which Amazon says preserves detail and color accuracy while reducing reflections.
Accessories and reading features
Amazon positions the 12 Pro more toward productivity users and offers two dedicated accessories: the $90 Alexa Tablet Pro Pen and a $150 magnetically attaching Alexa Tablet Pro Keyboard. The Pen also integrates with reading features for note-taking.
All tablets come with Alexa+ built in. Buyers can opt in to a feature that lets Alexa answer questions about what’s shown on screen. The Kindle app ships preinstalled and Amazon says it is tuned for a distraction-reduced reading experience with lower blue light. On Nanomatte displays, Amazon markets the effect as more paper-like when reading e-books.
Options for children and roll-out
There are Kids editions of the 8-inch and 11-inch models. They keep an aluminum chassis but include a protective “kid-proof” case and one year of Amazon Kids+ access.
The Alexa tablets are now available in the United States, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy and Spain.
