Amazon Retires Fire Tablet Lineup for Android-Powered Alexa Tablets
Amazon unveiled a new lineup of premium Alexa-branded tablets running full Android, replacing its 15-year-old budget Fire tablet brand and entering the high-end device market with prices spanning $230 to $550, CNBC reported.
Amazon Launches Three Tablet Models Starting at $230
The newly introduced hardware family consists of three distinct models starting at $230 for the 8-inch version, as reported by The Verge. The mid-tier Alexa Tablet 11 features an 11-inch screen and starts at $329.99, while the flagship Alexa Tablet 12 Pro starts at $499 or $550 depending on configuration details cited across outlets. Preorders opened on Thursday, with official shipping scheduled to begin on October 14, according to CNBC, though TechRadar noted a shipping date of October 19. The 12 Pro model measures 6.5 millimeters thick, weighs 550 grams, and runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 8400 processor with options for 8 or 16 gigabytes of RAM and up to 256 gigabytes of storage, The Verge detailed. Amazon also incorporated a “Nanomatte” display option developed with Corning on the Pro model to reduce glare.
New Tablets Switch to Android and Google Play Store
In a major shift from earlier generations, all three devices run Google’s Android operating system and grant users access to the Google Play Store, according to TechRadar. Past Amazon tablets relied on Fire OS, a custom Android fork with a restricted application marketplace. Alongside standard Android apps, the hardware integrates Amazon’s automated assistant deeply into the interface through a persistent top-left home screen widget called the Dynamic Tab, WIRED reported. The Dynamic Tab displays content users were previously consuming across other devices, such as Kindle books or Prime Video streams. WIRED also noted that opening the Kindle app triggers a dedicated “Kindle mode” that silences notifications, applies a blue light filter, and extends battery life up to 20 hours.
AI Integration via Alexa Plus
The tablets feature embedded Alexa Plus capabilities designed to compete with assistant software on rival platforms, according to TechRadar.
Hardware Transition Timeline
Amazon manufactured Fire tablets for 15 years before discontinuing the brand, as reported by The Verge. The company increased prices across its broader hardware ecosystem—including Echos, Kindles, and Fire TVs—in August due to a memory price surge, CNBC noted.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amazon Alexa Tablets
What operating system do the new Alexa Tablets use?
The new devices run full Google Android and support the Google Play Store, marking a complete departure from the custom Fire OS and restricted app store used on older Amazon tablets, according to TechRadar.
How much do the new Alexa Tablets cost compared to older models?
The new lineup ranges from $230 for the 8-inch model up to $550 for the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, representing a substantial price increase over past hardware such as the $155 Fire HD 10.
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