Amazon unveils Alexa Tablet lineup with Android OS and high-refresh display

Amazon introduced a new series of tablets branded as Alexa Tablets, marking the first time the company has moved away from the Fire name. The devices will run a full version of Android with access to Google Play, a change the company says was essential for the product line. > "Google Play was a necessity, end of story," said Panos Panay, senior vice president for hardware and Alexa.

Panay said the hardware was designed from scratch, instructing his team to avoid any previously used components. > "Start from zero, don’t use any components we’ve ever used," he explained. Three models will be available on October 14: an 8.7-inch tablet priced at $229.99, an 11-inch version starting at $329.99, and a 12.5-inch “Pro” model beginning at $499. The Pro version offers 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM, 128 GB or 256 GB of storage, and a MediaTek Dimensity 8400 processor.

The flagship’s key differentiator is its display. Panay described the screen as the product’s “one thing” that could not be compromised. The 12.5-inch panel has a 2800 × 1840 resolution, up to a 120 Hz refresh rate, 500 nits of brightness and a 3:2 aspect ratio designed for side-by-side app use. The top-priced model includes a “Nanomatte” glass finish developed with Corning, intended to reduce glare and improve contrast.

Amazon also announced accessories such as a keyboard case and stylus, positioning the tablets as potential secondary or primary computers. The devices integrate Alexa Plus, an upgraded voice assistant that can respond to visual queries on the screen and provide recommendations, including product suggestions from Amazon’s marketplace.