Amazon's New Kindles and Alexa Tablets: Finally Worth the Hype?

Sarah Johnson · 2026-10-10

When you think of Amazon hardware, premium design and powerful performance probably aren’t the first things that come to mind. The company’s Kindles and Fire tablets have typically prioritized affordability above all else. And while that formula has worked for budget-conscious shoppers, it hasn’t produced the most exciting tech around. That looks set to change with Amazon’s latest hardware. The new Kindles and rebranded Alexa tablets are sleeker, smarter, and considerably more capable than their predecessors. Yes, they come with higher price tags to match, but I’m surprisingly okay with that. Here’s why. ### The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro Is the First Amazon Tablet I Actually Want to Use Amazon has been making Fire HD tablets for years. They’re fine for watching videos and keeping the kids entertained, but let’s be honest—they’ve never been that good for much else. The meager processor and hardware combination meant they could never really power games beyond basic titles like Candy Crush. Then there was the app situation: despite running on a custom version of Android, Amazon included its own Appstore in place of the vastly more popular Google Play. It had some popular apps, but there was a lot it didn’t have. You could sideload apps, but Amazon has been clamping down on that of late. So when Amazon announced the rebranded Alexa Tablet collection earlier this week, I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. The headline option is the new Alexa Tablet 12 Pro. It features a 12-inch 120Hz screen with an optional nanomatte anti-glare screen that should do a great job of dissipating reflections—much like Apple’s top-end iPhone. Amazon has further leaned into this by including a special reading mode that activates when accessing the Kindle app, making it a pretty competent big-screen e-reader replacement. It’s also a day-and-night upgrade in the performance department compared to the outgoing Fire HD tablets, sporting a MediaTek Dimensity 8400 chipset that should be more than enough to play even challenging mobile games. Crucially, it comes with proper, full-fat Android and access to Google Play, with no restrictions on what you can download. That in itself is a game-changer for Amazon’s tablets; the other upgrades are just the icing on what is now a very tempting cake. It turns Amazon’s tablets from something fine for casual movie-watching to something that could feasibly compete with Apple’s entry-level iPad—especially when paired with the optional stylus and POGO-connected keyboard for boosted productivity. I never thought I’d be saying that about an Amazon-produced tablet. Now, that’s the all-singing, all-dancing top-end model, but there are also more affordable options with the Alexa Tablet 11 and Tablet 8. While these drop premium features like the 120Hz refresh rate, Dimensity power, and the matte finish, they should still offer a much better experience with full Android than what came before. An all-round win, really. ### The Aluminum-Clad Kindle Scratches an Itch I Didn’t Know I Had I’ve been a fan of Kindles for years; in my mind, they just make sense. They’re relatively cheap, hold thousands of books, and combined with my Kindle Unlimited subscription, there’s a library of millions of titles for me to read. Yes, I could’ve gone down the Kobo route, or more recently, something like a Boox, but for me, nothing beats the range of books and convenience that the Kindle offers. So when Amazon announced a new aluminum-clad Kindle, I was intrigued. The premium build quality is a first for the Kindle line, and it gives the device a more upscale feel that I didn’t know I was missing. It’s not just about looks, though—the aluminum body also makes the Kindle more durable and comfortable to hold for long reading sessions. But the real story here is the shift in Amazon’s strategy. By moving away from the race to the bottom on price, Amazon is finally giving us hardware that feels as good as it performs. And that’s fantastic news for anyone who’s ever wanted a premium Amazon device without compromising on value. ### What This Means for You If you’re in the market for a new tablet or e-reader, these new Amazon devices are worth a serious look. Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect: - **Alexa Tablet 12 Pro**: 12-inch 120Hz display, MediaTek Dimensity 8400, full Google Play access, optional stylus and keyboard. Price: $499. - **Alexa Tablet 11**: Slightly smaller screen, still full Android, but without the 120Hz refresh rate. Price: $329. - **Alexa Tablet 8**: The most affordable option, ideal for basic tasks and entertainment. Price: $199. - **Aluminum-clad Kindle**: Premium build, same great reading experience, with a sharper design. Price: $159. These prices are higher than before, but the improvements are substantial. You’re getting devices that can compete with the big boys, and that’s a win for consumers. So, are these new Amazon devices worth the upgrade? If you’ve been holding out for a tablet that can do more than just stream videos, or a Kindle that feels as premium as it performs, the answer is a resounding yes. Amazon has finally stepped up its game, and I’m here for it.