What’s New in Amazon’s Refreshed Echo Shows?
Amazon recently announced new versions of its Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8 smart displays. Each of the updated models includes an updated camera and the latest Alexa features, but hardware specifications and estimated user bases differ. Let’s take a look at the changes.
How are the new Echo Shows different?
Echo Show 8 got a much better camera
This updated version of the Echo Show 8 smart display has a lot in common with the 2018 version: the same physical dimensions, an 8-inch screen with 1280×800 resolution, and 2-inch stereo speakers. However, the front camera of the 2021 version has been updated from a pitiful 1MP camera to a much more impressive 13MP camera, so the quality of video calls should be significantly better.
The new camera also uses the same auto-framing technology found in last year’s Echo Show 10, which dynamically adjusts to keep your face in the frame.
The new Echo Show 8 is available for pre-order starting at $ 129.99 .
The Echo Show 5 gets a slightly better camera (and more colors).
Amazon also announced a model update for the Echo Show 5. As with the new Echo Show 8, the 2021 Echo Show 5 has the biggest camera changes, but the updates are not as robust.
The 2021 Echo Show 5’s camera is now 2MP, slightly more than the 2019 model’s 1MP camera. The new model also comes in a new Deep Sea Blue color that matches the existing Glacier White and Charcoal. The new Echo Show 5 will start at $ 84.99 ($ 5 less than the starting price of the original Echo Show 5) and you can pre-order now .
5 Echo Shows for Kids from Amazon
Alongside the new standard Echo Show 5, Amazon has introduced the Echo Show 5 Kids. The Chameleon theme of the Echo Show 5 Kids visually distinguishes it from the standard Echo Show 5, but the hardware is identical for both models.
It’s the same size and has the same camera, screen and speakers. The Echo 5 Kids’ pre-installed parental controls and child-friendly content orientation are what sets it apart from other models.
Customers get Amazon’s annual family-wide streaming service, Amazon Kids + (typically $ 2.99 per month for Prime members), which includes apps, games, books, movies, and TV shows for kids. There’s also a 2-year “worry-free” warranty for a free replacement should the Echo Show 5 Kids break for any reason . These additions are included in the $ 94.99 price tag of the device .
Older Echo Show 5 and 8 models receive price cuts
The new Echo Show 8, Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 5 Kids are available for pre-order now and will ship in the coming weeks, but previous generation Echo Show devices are still available at discounted prices.
The 2018 Echo Show 8 model is now priced at $ 110 (a $ 20 price cut), and the 2019 Echo Show 5 has dropped from $ 89.99 to $ 49 while supplies are. It might be worth buying one of these Echo Show models if you don’t mind their modest camera technology; otherwise they are basically the same as the updated versions.