Amazon’s tablets just got a makeover and a new name. Meet the Alexa Tablets: three sizes, Amazon’s smarter Alexa+ assistant built in, and, for the first time, the full Google Play Store. That last bit is big news for anyone who ever wished their Amazon tablet could run “normal” Android apps.
Why it matters: Amazon’s tablets were always cheap and cheerful, but you were stuck with Amazon’s own app store. Now you get YouTube, Netflix, Gmail and Google Docs straight from Google Play, Amazon says, plus an assistant that can understand what is on your screen if you let it.
The three models
| Model | Screen | Memory | Price (US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexa Tablet 8 | 8.7 inches | 4 GB RAM, 64 GB | from $229.99 |
| Alexa Tablet 11 | 11 inches, 2.5K, 90 Hz | 8 GB RAM, 64 GB | from $329.99 |
| Alexa Tablet 12 Pro | 12 inches, 120 Hz | 8 GB RAM, 128 GB | from $499.99 |
Those prices come from Amazon’s announcement. The 12 Pro also comes with an anti-glare “Nanomatte” screen for $549.99, and there are optional extras: a Pro Keyboard ($149.99) and a Pro Pen ($89.99). Battery life is rated at up to 14 hours of video on the 8-inch model, 15 on the 11 and 16 on the 12 Pro.
What Alexa+ does on a tablet
- Ask without leaving your app: say “Alexa” or tap the Ask Alexa button, and it answers questions, suggests next steps or controls your smart home.
- It can look at your screen, if you want: “On-Screen Intelligence” lets Alexa use what is on your screen, for example to add game dates to your calendar. Amazon says it is off by default, needs your opt-in, and shows an indicator whenever it can see the screen.
- Chat freely: “Live sessions” allow a hands-free conversation without repeating the wake word.
According to Engadget, the tablets run Android 16 with Amazon’s own layer on top, the 11 and 12 Pro have a chip dedicated to AI tasks, and there is no microSD slot, so pick your storage size carefully.
For the kids
The 8 and 11 also come in Kids versions with a kid-proof case and a year of Amazon Kids+, Amazon says: a soft bumper case for little ones from age 3, and a slimmer case with a kickstand for kids 6 and up.
When can you get one?
- US, Canada and Mexico: shipping from 14 October.
- UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain: shipping from 19 October, according to Amazon. European prices were not included in the announcement.
Should you wait or jump in?
If you wanted a big, affordable Android tablet with Google apps and a capable assistant, this is the most interesting Amazon tablet in years. If privacy is a worry, the good news is that the screen-reading feature stays off unless you switch it on. Either way, wait for the first independent reviews to see how fast and smooth they really are.
Sources
- New Amazon Alexa Tablets with Alexa+ built in: details, availability and pricing – Amazon, 8 October 2026
- Everything Amazon has announced so far in October 2026 – Engadget, 8 October 2026
