Amazon Alexa Tablets Replace Fire With Android and the Google Play Store, From $229.99
Amazon on Thursday, October 8, announced three Amazon Alexa Tablets that run Android with full Google Play Store access, replacing the Fire tablet line: the Alexa Tablet 8 from $229.99, the Alexa Tablet 11 from $329.99 and the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro from $499.99. All three are on sale now in the US and ship October 14 from Amazon.com, Best Buy and Target.
- Models: Amazon Alexa Tablet 8, Alexa Tablet 11, Alexa Tablet 12 Pro
- US prices: $229.99, $329.99 and $499.99 (12 Pro with Nanomatte display: $549.99)
- Software: Android with the Google Play Store, Alexa+ built in
- US shipping date: Wednesday, October 14, 2026
- Where to buy: Amazon.com, Best Buy, Target
Why does Google Play matter on an Amazon tablet?
Amazon Fire tablets were limited to the Amazon Appstore, which carries far fewer apps than Google Play. Getting Gmail, Google Docs or the official YouTube app onto a Fire tablet meant sideloading Google's apps yourself, the kind of workaround Android keeps making harder, as we covered with Android's new sideloading rules.
Amazon Alexa Tablets drop that restriction. Amazon says every model ships with full Google Play Store access and names YouTube, Netflix, Gmail and Google Docs among the apps owners can install. Amazon's own apps come preinstalled: Prime Video, Kindle, Audible, Amazon Music, Amazon Quick and Amazon Luna. Because the apps come from Google Play, their updates arrive at the same time as on other Android devices, not on a separate Appstore schedule.
Amazon Alexa Tablet specs and prices compared
The table below combines Amazon's announcement with details from early hands-on reports. Amazon lists only starting prices and does not name its chips.
| Alexa Tablet 8 | Alexa Tablet 11 | Alexa Tablet 12 Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US starting price | $229.99 | $329.99 | $499.99 ($549.99 Nanomatte) |
| Display | 8.7-inch | 11-inch 2.5K, 90Hz, 16:10 | 12-inch, 280 PPI, 120Hz, 3:2 |
| Chip | 8-core | 8-core | 4nm 8-core (MediaTek Dimensity 8400, per hands-on reports) |
| RAM / storage at base price | 4GB / 64GB | 8GB / 64GB | 8GB / 128GB, up to 16GB RAM |
| Video playback | Up to 14 hours | Up to 15 hours | Up to 16 hours |
| Speakers | Not stated | Dual Dolby Atmos | Quad Dolby Atmos |
| Colors | Graphite, Rosette, Teal | Graphite, Amethyst, Matcha | Graphite |
All three Amazon Alexa Tablets use aluminum bodies. The Alexa Tablet 8 weighs 329g and is 7.95mm thick, and the 12 Pro is 6.5mm thick. The Nanomatte option on the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro is an etched anti-glare finish Amazon developed with Corning. The 12 Pro also supports a $89.99 Pro Pen with 4,096 pressure levels and a $149.99 Pro Keyboard that attaches magnetically.
Early reports say the $229.99 and $329.99 starting prices are for versions with lockscreen ads, and that removing the ads adds $20. Amazon's announcement does not mention ad-supported pricing, so check the listing before you order.
What Alexa+ does on the Alexa Tablets
Alexa+ is built into every Amazon Alexa Tablet and opens with the wake word or an Ask Alexa button. A feature Amazon calls On-Screen Intelligence lets Alexa read what is on the display for context. It is off by default, needs your opt-in, can be turned off in Settings and shows an indicator while Alexa can see the screen. Amazon's tablet announcement does not say whether Alexa+ on the tablets needs a Prime membership. Amazon has already made Alexa+ free on every Fire TV.
Kids versions and international dates
Amazon Kids Tablets in 8.7-inch and 11-inch sizes start at $229.99 and $329.99. Each comes with a kid-proof case and one year of Amazon Kids+, and parents approve every Google Play download. They also ship October 14 in the US. Mexico and Canada get the full lineup the same day, and the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain follow on October 19.
The higher prices are the catch. Fire tablets were known as cheap devices, and the cheapest Alexa Tablet starts at $229.99. That follows Amazon's August round of price increases on Echo, Kindle and Fire TV hardware. It also puts the Alexa Tablet 11 against TCL's $229 NXTPAPER 11-inch tablet at the low end of the Android tablet market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the new Amazon Alexa Tablets have the Google Play Store?
Yes. Amazon says the Alexa Tablet 8, Alexa Tablet 11 and Alexa Tablet 12 Pro run Android with full Google Play Store access, so apps like YouTube, Gmail and Google Docs install directly. Older Amazon Fire tablets were limited to the Amazon Appstore.
How much does the Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro cost?
The Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro starts at $499.99 in the US with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The version with the anti-glare Nanomatte display starts at $549.99. The Pro Pen costs $89.99 and the Pro Keyboard costs $149.99.
When do the Amazon Alexa Tablets ship in the US?
Amazon Alexa Tablets went on sale on October 8, 2026, and ship in the US on October 14, 2026. They are sold at Amazon.com, Best Buy and Target. Canada and Mexico get them the same day, and the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain on October 19.
Is Amazon replacing Fire tablets with Alexa Tablets?
Yes. The Alexa Tablet 8, 11 and 12 Pro take over from the Fire tablet line under a new name, with aluminum bodies, Android and the Google Play Store. Prices are higher, starting at $229.99 for the 8.7-inch Alexa Tablet 8.
Do Amazon Alexa Tablets have lockscreen ads?
Early reports say the $229.99 Alexa Tablet 8 and $329.99 Alexa Tablet 11 starting prices include lockscreen ads, and the ad-free versions cost $20 more. Amazon's announcement does not mention ads, so check the Amazon.com listing before buying. No version of the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro is reported to show ads.
