Whereas Amazon has to this point been spotlighting and showcasing Alexa+ throughout the Echo Present 15 and Echo Present 21, we lastly received a peek into the imaginative and prescient of {hardware} designed for the next-generation, AI-powered good assistant – and it’s a virtually unanimous improve.
Identical to the extra trendy, considerably Dying Star–like Echo Dot Max or Echo Studio, the brand new Echo Present 8 and Echo Present 11 reset the design language for Amazon’s good shows. Gone is the cumbersome, bulbous rear with an always-tilted display screen connected to the entrance that sits flat as a brick.
The screens on the brand new Present 8 and Present 11 virtually seem to drift from any course, mounted larger with just a few inches beneath to let the audio system baked into the bottom hearth ahead. You can say that is to let Alexa’s voice be heard, but additionally in order that music, podcasts, soundscapes, audiobooks, TV reveals, films, and even cooking directions sound sturdy.
Both the 8-inch or 11-inch display screen on the Echo Present is remarkably skinny, particularly when in comparison with earlier Echo Exhibits. These look beautiful and trendy in each method, and when you is likely to be tempted to drag the display screen off, the Echo Present is decidedly not a pill.
The bottom and rear hull, the place the display screen is mounted, are completed with a woven mesh that feels comfortable to the contact and provides to the magnificence. It’s basically much like the outer shell of the brand new Echo good audio system, additional reinforcing the impression of a holistic overhaul. You get your decide between Glacier White and Graphite.
That is additionally the primary {hardware} to match Alexa+, which can come preinstalled as soon as the Present 8 and Present 11 are powered on – and also you’ve agreed to the phrases. Keep in mind, it’s free with a Prime membership or $20 a month.
You’ll primarily management the Echo Present 8 or 11 together with your voice by way of Alexa and its built-in far-field microphones, however the shows are additionally touch-enabled. Amazon guarantees that these are designed to look nice from any angle and that content material will stay seen, whether or not you’re viewing a slideshow of pictures, exploring widgets, watching content material, or when Alexa tosses up a visible to reply a question.
The Echo Present 8 boasts an 8.7-inch HD touchscreen with an 800 × 1134 decision, whereas the Present 11 encompasses a 10.95-inch Full HD touchscreen with a 1920 × 1200 decision. Within the hands-on area, each provided visually wealthy experiences – I noticed many shades of blue – and have been fast to answer contact. When mild does hit them, although, fingerprints turn out to be obvious, and so they don’t provide a lot in the best way of an anti-reflective coating.
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Each fashions have been a lot responsive and run the brand new VegaOS, which seems much like earlier interfaces on different Echo Exhibits. It’s a bit much less cluttered, with clear markings between widgets. The whole lot felt zippy, because of the AZ3 Professional chip below the hood.
Whereas I didn’t get to attempt it, embedded within the slim high bezel of the Present 8 and Present 11 is a brand new 13-megapixel digicam with software-powered auto-framing. This could come in useful for taking video calls.
Powering the audio on each the Present 8 and Present 11 is a pair of full-range drivers and a 2.8-inch woofer. These push sound out from below the display screen and out the highest of the bottom behind it, delivering what Amazon guarantees is markedly improved audio for nearly all use instances.
Much like the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, Amazon’s newest Echo speaker {hardware} doesn’t essentially come low cost. For the high-end seems, Amazon has set a extra premium price ticket at $179.99 / £179.99 / AU$349 for the Echo Present 8 and $219.99 / £219.99 / AU$429 for the Echo Present 11.
Each sizes are actually obtainable for preorder instantly on Amazon and can start delivery on November 12, 2025. I’m eager to go hands-on with these in additional depth from my own residence, however even with a pricier MSRP than I’d like, Amazon has left a long-lasting impression on me with the sheer improve in seems.
The brand new Echo Present 8 and Echo Present 11 don’t precisely match what a earlier Echo Present may need appeared like – and I believe that’s the purpose.
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