Amazon is walking away from its locked-down Fire OS software. The company introduced a fresh family of Alexa Tablets, ditching its restricted storefront in favor of stock Android and the Google Play Store.
It marks a stark pivot for Amazon's tablet line. For over a decade, Fire tablets functioned as cheap portals built strictly around the Amazon Appstore, forcing users to sideload services if they wanted regular Google apps. The new Alexa Tablets do away with that barrier completely.
The lineup arrives in three sizes, with pricing announced for the US market. An entry-level 8.7-inch model starts at $229. The middle tier features an 11-inch display for $329, and a larger 12-inch Pro version tops the range at $499. Amazon is also offering a 20 percent discount for shoppers who trade in an older tablet.
Challenging the Budget iPad
The 11-inch model looks aimed squarely at Apple's standard iPad. For $329, the tablet delivers 8GB of RAM, a 90Hz refresh rate, and a slim build powered by a MediaTek processor. Base storage sits at 64GB, with a paid upgrade available for 128GB.
That creates an interesting fight against Apple's baseline tablet. The entry-level iPad sells for $120 more in the US, includes less RAM, and retains a 60Hz display. Apple still holds advantages in raw processing power with its A16 silicon, and its base tier begins at 128GB. Upgrading the 11-inch Alexa Tablet to match that 128GB capacity narrows the retail gap between the two slates to roughly $70.
Having the Google Play Store out of the box alters what an Amazon slate can do. Owners no longer need complex workarounds to run official YouTube, Gmail, or mainstream productivity apps. The interface stays close to clean Android while keeping core Amazon features front and center.
Kindle integration is prominent. The software includes a dedicated reading mode calibrated to reduce blue light during long sessions. Built-in Alexa integration also allows the devices to serve as smart home controllers or ambient displays when propped up on a stand.
Whether the MediaTek hardware and Android tablet apps can carry the $499 asking price on the 12-inch Pro model remains an open question until hands-on testing arrives. Amazon has not shared pricing or launch plans for India yet. In the US, the tablets are listed on Amazon with the trade-in offer live.
GDFiled by The Gadgets Desk
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