Amazon's New Alexa Tablets: Goodbye Fire OS, Hello Google Play
Amazon's new Alexa Tablets run real Android with the Google Play Store, starting at 229.99 USD. Full lineup, prices, and the Alexa+ features that matter.
Image: Property of Amazon
In this article
The big change
Amazon just walked away from a decade of Fire OS. Its new tablet lineup runs Android and ships with full Google Play Store access, confirmed to TechCrunch as an all-new product line with new hardware and a new operating system, not a Fire refresh. YouTube works on all of them at launch, which alone will matter to anyone who got burned by Fire tablets in the past.
The lineup
- Alexa Tablet 12 Pro (499.99 USD, or 549.99 USD for the Nanomatte finish): Amazon's flagship, with nearly three times the processing performance and nine times the graphics performance of any tablet it has shipped before. It handles 4K streaming, multi-window multitasking, and graphics-heavy gaming, with Wi-Fi 6E, Dolby Atmos speakers, 16 hours of video playback, and optional Pro Pen and Pro Keyboard accessories.
- Alexa Tablet 11 (329.99 USD): an 11-inch 2.5K display at 276 pixels per inch with a 90Hz refresh rate and 16:10 aspect ratio, dual Dolby Atmos speakers, and 15 hours of video playback. It comes in Graphite, Amethyst, and Matcha.
- Alexa Tablet 8 (229.99 USD): the compact one. At 8.7 inches and 329 grams, it is built for one-handed use. It comes in Graphite, Rosette, and Teal.
All three have aluminum builds, high-resolution displays, and Alexa+ built in. Note the pricing direction, though: this is a step up from Amazon's bargain-tablet past, where the top Fire HD 10 sat around 180 USD. Amazon is now pricing directly against the iPad lineup rather than under it.
The Alexa+ part worth watching
All three tablets ship with Alexa+, and the standout feature is On-Screen Intelligence: ask Alexa to look at whatever is on the screen and give contextual answers. Looking at a list of hiking trails? Ask which one fits you best and Alexa answers based on what it can see. Smart home control, quick answers, and app shortcuts are all still there, but the on-screen awareness is the genuinely new piece.
The reader angle
Every new tablet also gets a redesigned Kindle reading experience: open the Kindle app and the tablet silences notifications, reduces blue light, and stretches battery life to up to 20 hours. Amazon also announced new Kids Tablets in 8.7-inch and 11-inch sizes, each bundled with an age-appropriate case, a one-year Amazon Kids+ subscription, and either a soft bumper case (Paw Patrol or Barbie designs) for ages 3 and up or a slim hard case with kickstand for ages 6 and up.
When you can buy one
All three Alexa Tablets and the Kids Tablets go on sale October 14, 2026 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain follow on October 19, and Japan gets the Kids Tablets on October 14 as well. Canadian buyers are in the first wave this time, no waiting on the usual delay.
Frequently asked questions
Do the new Alexa Tablets have the Google Play Store?
Yes. They run Android with full Google Play Store access, ending the Fire OS app-store limitations.
How much do Amazon Alexa Tablets cost?
From 229.99 USD for the Alexa Tablet 8, 329.99 USD for the Alexa Tablet 11, and 499.99 USD for the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro.
When do they go on sale in Canada?
October 14, 2026, the same day as the United States and Mexico.