Amazon Replaces Fire Tablets with New Android-Based Alexa Tablet Line
Amazon is retiring the Fire tablet brand to launch new aluminum Alexa Tablets running official Android with full Google Play Store access.
Key points
- The new devices launch with Android 16 and will receive updates through Android 17 in 2027.
- Three models are available: the $500 Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, the $330 Alexa Tablet 11, and the $230 Alexa Tablet 8.
- Amazon will stop shipping legacy Fire tablets within two months but will support them for four years.
Amazon has announced the immediate retirement of its Fire tablet line, replacing the devices with a new series of aluminum Alexa Tablets that run official Android. According to a report by Wired, the new hardware marks a significant shift for the vendor, as these are the first Amazon tablets to offer full access to the Google Play Store.
The new lineup addresses a long-standing limitation of the previous Fire tablets, which utilized a custom Android version with a restricted application library. The transition aims to provide users with broader software compatibility. Amazon states that it will cease shipping the legacy Fire devices within the next month or two. However, the company will continue to support those older devices for four years from the final shipment date.
Product Specifications and Pricing
The new Alexa Tablet series includes three primary models, with prices corresponding to screen size. The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro is priced at $500, the Alexa Tablet 11 costs $330, and the Alexa Tablet 8 is available for $230. Amazon is also offering children's editions of the 11-inch and 8-inch models at the same price points. These kids' versions include protective bumper cases, a one-year replacement guarantee, and a year of Amazon Kids+ service.
The hardware builds feature aluminum designs intended to match the aesthetic of Amazon's new Kindle devices. The 12-inch Pro model offers two display options: a standard LCD or a Nanomatte anti-glare screen starting at $550. Both 12-inch screens provide a 2800 x 1840 resolution, 120 Hz refresh rate, and 500 nits peak brightness. The 11-inch model features a 2560 x 1600 display at 90 Hz, while the 8.7-inch model has a 1340 x 800 resolution at 60 Hz.
Software and Hardware Architecture
The new tablets launch with Android 16. Amazon has committed to providing at least four years of software updates, which will include Android 17 early in 2027. This update schedule contrasts with the support window for the discontinued Fire tablets. The smaller 8-inch and 11-inch models are powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8189 chip, with options for 4 GB or 8 GB of RAM.
The larger Alexa Tablet 12 Pro utilizes the more powerful MediaTek Dimensity 8400 processor. It offers configurations with either 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM. Storage options vary by model, with the 12-inch device offering 128 GB via UFS 3.1 or 256 GB via UFS 4.0. Preorders for the new Alexa Tablets are currently open, with shipping scheduled to begin on October 14.
What should you do?
Users currently owning Fire tablets should verify their device's eligibility for the four-year post-shipment support window. Those considering a new purchase should evaluate whether the shift to standard Android and Google Play Store access meets their application requirements. Consumers should also review the pricing tiers to determine if the higher cost of the new aluminum models justifies the hardware upgrades compared to the legacy $60 to $280 Fire tablets.
What to do and how to stay safe: Amazon
- Check the current Android version on your existing Fire tablet to see if it is still receiving security patches.
- Review the app compatibility requirements for your essential software before switching to the new Android-based devices.
- Monitor official Amazon announcements for the final shipment date of Fire tablets to plan any necessary hardware transitions.
- Verify the specific warranty terms for the new Alexa Tablets, particularly the replacement guarantee included with the kids' editions.
General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
When will the new Alexa Tablets start shipping?
Shipping for the new Alexa Tablets is scheduled to begin on October 14, according to the source material.
Will old Fire tablets still be supported?
Yes, Amazon will support Fire tablets for four years from the date they stop shipping the devices.
Do the new tablets run standard Android?
Yes, the new Alexa Tablets run official Android and have full access to the Google Play Store.
