Amazon is changing course with its tablets. The new Alexa Tablets replace the Fire line and run full Android with the Google Play Store, instead of the closed system with Amazon’s own app store. Orders are open and in Italy deliveries start on 19 October.
That was always the Fire tablets’ weak spot: few apps, no Google services, and anyone who wanted Gmail or Google Docs had to make do. With Play Store preinstalled, the problem goes away.
The three models
The range comes in three sizes, all with an aluminium body.
- Alexa Tablet 8: 8.7-inch 60 Hz display, 4 GB of RAM, 64 or 128 GB of storage. It weighs around 330 grams.
- Alexa Tablet 11: roughly 11-inch panel, 2,560 × 1,600 pixels, 90 Hz, 8 GB of RAM.
- Alexa Tablet 12 Pro: the top-of-the-range model, with a 12-inch 3:2 display, 2.8K resolution and 120 Hz. Inside is a MediaTek Dimensity 8400 with 8 or 16 GB of RAM. It is 6.5 mm thick and weighs 555 grams.
The 12 Pro also comes in a Nanomatte version, with an anti-glare glass treatment developed with Corning. It makes reading easier in bright light, and Amazon pairs it with a pen tip designed for that surface.
Prices and availability in Italy
List prices for Italy, as consistently reported by the Italian press:
| Model | Price |
|---|---|
| Alexa Tablet 8 (4/64 GB) | €229.99 |
| Alexa Tablet 11 (8/64 GB) | €329.99 |
| Alexa Tablet 12 Pro (8/128 GB) | €499.99 |
| Alexa Tablet 12 Pro Nanomatte (8/128 GB) | €559.99 |
There are two accessories for the 12 Pro: the magnetic keyboard at €139.99 and the pen at €84.99. Productivity bundles start at €649. There are also Kids Tablets in 8 and 11 inches, with a rugged case and twelve months of Amazon Kids+ included, at the same price as the standard models.
Deliveries in Italy begin on 19 October. In the United States, 9to5Google reports versions of the Tablet 8 and 11 with ads on the lock screen, at a slightly lower price: for the Italian market this distinction has not been announced, so it is worth checking the product page before buying.
Alexa+ front and centre
All models come with Alexa+, Amazon’s next-generation assistant. It appears in a window over whatever app is open and, if the user allows it, can read the contents of the screen to answer questions or suggest actions. The feature is off by default, has to be switched on manually, and shows a blue indicator when in use.
For readers, opening the Kindle app activates a dedicated mode: no notifications and a blue-light filter. Amazon claims up to 20 hours of battery life when reading. On the 12 Pro, the pen also brings Kindle Scribe-style highlights and notes. If that world interests you, we have covered the new Kindle Scribe in Italy.
Who it’s for
The Tablet 8 is the cheapest way in for anyone who wants a second screen for the kitchen or the sofa, with Alexa within earshot. The 11 is the balanced choice for video and family use. The 12 Pro is aimed at those who want a tablet with a keyboard and pen without reaching iPad Pro prices: the British press points out that the 13-inch iPad Pro and iPad Air start at £949, while the 12 Pro starts at £450.
For a comparison with other models, see our guide to the best tablets.
What we think
Moving to Android with Google Play is the right move, and perhaps the only sensible one: a tablet without the apps people use every day won’t win anyone over, however little it costs. The 12 Pro at €499.99 is interesting on paper, especially in Nanomatte, but with the keyboard and pen the bill gets close to €700, and at that point the competition is far more crowded.
Two questions remain open. Amazon hasn’t said how long it will keep updating Android on these tablets, and for a device you keep for years that matters. Also, Alexa+ “looking” at your screen is convenient, but it needs careful thought from a privacy standpoint: the fact that it is off by default is a good sign.
For now, our advice is to wait for the first hands-on tests, in particular on how smooth the 8 and 11 models feel, since they use a less powerful chip, and on real-world battery life.
Written by the SpazioiTech newsroom with the help of AI tools, from facts verified across at least two independent outlets, and checked before publication. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
Translated from the Italian original. Read in Italian
