Amazon Launches New Alexa Tablets With Android, Google Play Store and Alexa+ AI

Amazon has officially introduced a new generation of tablets that marks a major change from its traditional Fire tablet strategy. The new Amazon Alexa Tablets run Android, come with full access to the Google Play Store, and have Amazon’s AI-powered Alexa+ assistant built into the experience.

The new lineup includes three main models: the Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, Alexa Tablet 11, and Alexa Tablet 8. Unlike previous Fire tablets, the new devices use aluminum designs and are positioned as more premium alternatives to Amazon’s budget-focused tablets.

Amazon Moves Away From Fire OS

One of the biggest changes is the operating system.

Previous Amazon Fire tablets used Amazon’s Fire OS and relied on the Amazon Appstore. The new Alexa Tablets instead run a full version of Android and include the Google Play Store.

This gives users access to popular Android applications such as YouTube, Gmail, Google Docs, Netflix and many other apps that were previously unavailable as native applications on Fire tablets.

The move could make Amazon's tablets considerably more appealing to users who avoided Fire tablets because of their limited software ecosystem.

Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro

The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro is the flagship model in the new lineup.

It features a 12-inch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio, a 120Hz refresh rate and 280 pixels per inch. Amazon is also offering a Nanomatte display option designed to reduce reflections and provide a more paper-like viewing experience.

The tablet uses a 4nm eight-core processor and can be configured with up to 16GB of RAM. Amazon claims it delivers up to three times the processing performance and nine times the graphics performance of its previous-generation Fire tablets.

The tablet also includes quad Dolby Atmos speakers, Wi-Fi 6E support and a battery rated for up to 16 hours of video playback.

Alexa Tablet 11

The Alexa Tablet 11 is designed for users who want a larger screen without paying flagship-level prices.

It features an 11-inch display, an aluminum body and an eight-core processor with 8GB of RAM. The tablet is aimed at everyday activities such as streaming movies, browsing the web, reading books, playing games and using productivity applications.

Because it includes the Google Play Store, users have significantly more app choices than they had with previous Fire tablets.

Alexa Tablet 8

For users who prefer something smaller and more portable, Amazon has introduced the Alexa Tablet 8.

The device features an 8.7-inch display and an aluminum design that makes it easier to hold with one hand. It is positioned as a compact tablet for entertainment, reading, browsing and casual gaming.

The smaller model also gives Amazon a product that can compete more directly with compact tablets such as Apple's iPad mini.

Alexa+ Is Built Into the Tablets

Artificial intelligence is another major part of Amazon's new tablet strategy.

The new devices feature Alexa+, Amazon's generative-AI-powered assistant. Instead of functioning simply as a traditional voice assistant, Alexa+ can understand natural-language requests and help users perform tasks and obtain information.

Amazon says Alexa+ is integrated into the tablet experience, allowing users to interact with the assistant from different parts of the device.

Alexa+ can also connect with Amazon's broader ecosystem and supported smart-home services.

Access to Alexa+ requires a compatible Amazon Prime membership or an Alexa+ subscription.

Google Play Store Comes to Amazon Tablets

The addition of the Google Play Store could be one of the most important changes for Amazon tablet buyers.

Previous Fire tablets were limited by Amazon's app ecosystem, and users often had to rely on web versions of services such as YouTube and Gmail.

The new Alexa Tablets can download Android applications directly through Google Play, giving users a much broader selection of software from launch.

This change also makes Amazon's tablets more comparable with mainstream Android tablets from Samsung and other manufacturers.

Prices and Availability

Amazon's new tablets are more expensive than its traditional Fire lineup but remain below many premium competitors.

The Alexa Tablet 8 starts at $229.99, while the Alexa Tablet 11 starts at $329.99.

The flagship Alexa Tablet 12 Pro starts at $499.99, while the Nanomatte version starts at $549.99.

Amazon says the new tablets will become available on October 14, 2026, in the United States, Mexico and Canada. They will arrive in the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain on October 19.

New Keyboard and Pen Accessories

Amazon is also introducing accessories designed to make the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro more useful for productivity.

The Tablet Pro Keyboard is priced at $149.99, while the Tablet Pro Pen costs $89.99.

With the keyboard and large trackpad, the 12 Pro can be used more like a lightweight laptop for writing, browsing and other productivity tasks.

What Happened to Fire Tablets?

Amazon is not simply adding Alexa branding to its existing Fire products. The company describes the new tablets as an entirely new product line featuring new hardware and a new operating system.

Amazon will continue providing security updates for existing Fire tablets, but the company is moving its new tablet hardware toward the Android-based Alexa Tablet platform.

Final Thoughts

Amazon's new Alexa Tablets represent one of the company's biggest changes in the tablet market in years.

By combining Android, Google Play Store access, premium aluminum hardware and Alexa+ AI, Amazon is attempting to compete more directly with Apple's iPad and Samsung's Galaxy Tab lineup.

The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro is particularly interesting because of its 120Hz display, optional Nanomatte screen, powerful processor, long battery life and optional keyboard and stylus.

For customers who wanted an affordable Amazon tablet but were frustrated by Fire OS and its limited app ecosystem, the new Alexa Tablets could be a significant upgrade.