Amazon announces updates to the Echo Show 5 and 8, introduces all-new Echo Show 5 Kids

Amazon Echo Show 8 White
Amazon Echo Show 8 White (Image credit: Amazon)

What you need to know

  • Amazon has announced three new Echo Show devices.
  • All three new models come with improved cameras and promise an "enhanced" Alexa experience.
  • The new Echo Show devices are slated to begin shipping in the U.S. next month.

Amazon today refreshed its Echo Show lineup with three new devices: Echo Show 8, Echo Show 5, and its first Echo Show 5 Kids. The updated Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 5 devices come with "powerful" cameras and a few other improvements to help deliver an enhanced Alexa experience to users.

Amazon Echo Show 8 Reactions

Source: Amazon (Image credit: Source: Amazon)

Amazon's new Echo Show 8 features an 8-inch HD adaptive color display and a more powerful octa-core processor to challenge the best smart displays. The biggest upgrade, however, is the new 13MP camera, which includes a built-in shutter. The upgraded camera can automatically pan and zoom while you're on a video call, ensuring everyone stays centered in the frame. To further enhance the video calling experience, Amazon is introducing animated visual and audio in-call reactions, along with in-call Augmented Reality (AR) effects. The Echo Show 8 also offers dual stereo speakers for "an immersive entertainment experience."

Amazon New Echo Show

Source: Amazon (Image credit: Source: Amazon)

The new Echo Show 5 has a compact design and comes in three exciting color options: Charcoal, Glacier White, and Deep Sea Blue. While it doesn't get the same 13MP camera as the Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 10, the new Echo Show 5 has an upgraded HD camera that should be good enough for quick video calls. You can even access the built-in camera on the Echo Show 5 via the Alexa app to check in on your home, kids, or pets.

Amazon Echo Show 5 Kids

Source: Amazon (Image credit: Source: Amazon)

The all-new Echo Show 5 Kids' biggest selling point is its unique design that can fit into the "coolest of kids' rooms." It also comes with a large selection of kid-friendly clock themes, a 1-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, and a 2-year-worry-free guarantee like Amazon's other "Kids" edition devices.

Amazon's new Echo Show 8 has been priced at $130 and will be available in Charcoal and Glacier White colors. The Echo Show 5 will retail for $85 in the U.S., while the Echo Show 5 Kids will be available for $95. All three devices are now available to pre-order and are expected to begin shipping next month.

Amazon Echo Show 8 Glacier White

Amazon Echo Show 8

The new Echo 8 features a 13MP wide-angle camera, just like Amazon's Echo Show 10. In addition to the upgraded camera, the Echo Show 8 gets a faster octa-core chipset for improved performance.

Amazon Echo Show 5 Glacier White

Amazon Echo Show 5

Amazon's upgraded Echo Show 5 offers a new HD camera and more color options than the previous generation. Along with the hardware improvements, the Echo Show 5 also delivers a better Alexa experience.

Amazon Echo Show 5 Kids Front

Amazon Echo Show 5 Kids

Amazon's first Echo Show 5 Kids model touts a colorful design and comes with a 2-year worry-free guarantee.

Have you listened to this week's Android Central Podcast?

Android Central

Every week, the Android Central Podcast brings you the latest tech news, analysis and hot takes, with familiar co-hosts and special guests.

  • Subscribe in Pocket Casts: Audio
  • Subscribe in Spotify: Audio
  • Subscribe in iTunes: Audio
Babu Mohan
News Writer