Amazon’s new Alexa+ brings natural voice and AI features to new Echo devices

Amazon has unveiled a new generation of Echo devices, the Echo Dot Max, Echo Studio, Echo Show 8, and Echo Show 11, which are built from the ground up for Alexa+, its upgraded, generative AI assistant.

The lineup introduces a custom silicon platform and a sensor fusion system called Omnisense, enabling the devices to sense context, better understand user intent, and deliver a more personalised assistant experience.

Smarter Echoes, smarter conversations

With Alexa+, Amazon aims to transform the Echo from a command-listener into a more conversational and proactive companion. Early users are interacting with Alexa more frequently and asking it to perform increasingly complex tasks, from controlling smart homes to managing schedules.

A key difference is the ability to handle natural phrasing and context. Instead of rigid commands, requests like “make it darker in here” can now dim the lights without needing to specify the room. The new voice is also more fluid and human-like, marking a noticeable improvement over earlier versions.

All new Echo hardware now ships with Alexa+ enabled, making it the default experience going forward.

The new Echo line: More than just smarts

The refreshed Echo family includes the Echo Dot Max, Echo Studio, Echo Show 8, and Echo Show 11, all designed to showcase Alexa+ at its best. These models come with upgraded internals — faster processing, more memory, and enhanced sensing — to support ambient AI without lag.

Powering the new Echo devices are new custom-designed chips with AI accelerators. The Echo Dot Max is powered by Amazon’s new AZ3 chip, while the other three use the AZ3 Pro. These new chips also have better microphone quality, faster overall response, and improved AI performance.

Echo Dot Max

The Echo Dot Max features a dual-driver, two-way speaker system consisting of a woofer and a tweeter. The new design eliminates the separate speaker module, integrating the speaker directly into the device housing instead of a separate module, which doubles the internal air space for fuller sound. The device can also tune the sound to your surroundings, with Amazon claiming it can produce three times the bass of the 5th-gen Echo Dot.

Echo Studio

The Echo Studio looks like the big brother to the Echo Dot Max. Amazon says that it comes with a high excursion woofer with three full range drivers to deliver immersive sound. 

A high-excursion woofer is a speaker designed for extended cone movement to produce deep, powerful bass. It displaces more air with its longer, controlled back-and-forth motion, resulting in rich, impactful, and clear low-frequency sounds, often used by enthusiasts seeking “bone-shaking” or “room-filling” bass.

It has support for spatial audio and Dolby Atmos. And it does all this in an enclosure that is 40% smaller than the original Studio.

Both the Echo Dot Max and the Echo Studio can also be chained together for a stereo or a surround sound experience. You can pair up to 5 of each with compatible Fire TV sticks for a makeshift home theater setup.

Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11

The Echo Show 8 and the Echo Show 11 have 8-inch and 11-inch touchscreens, respectively, and Amazon says it uses in-cell touch and negative liquid crystal design to reduce layer of lamination and maximise the viewing angle. 

They also have a new audio architecture, with front-facing stereo speakers and a custom woofer. The drivers are placed under the display and direct audio towards the user from the front.

Both units also have a 13MP camera for video calls, and Alexa can also recognise you, even in low-light situations, when you walk up to the device for your requested information. 

But they can deliver more than just information. Using Alexa’s more visual conversational responses, you can view your favourite photos, manage new colour-coded family calendars, or get intelligent summaries of your Ring video footage.

Not all hunky-dory

While the new Echo lineup looks promising, there are some possible caveats that could make some potential customers pause. These include:

• Some promised features remain unavailable during the early rollout such as some app integration and the ability to brainstorm gift ideas.
• Subscription costs could deter some users, with Alexa+ free for Prime members but charged for others.
• Not all older Echo devices support Alexa+, leaving some households on the legacy version.
• Privacy and data concerns remain a talking point as the assistant becomes more proactive.

The stage is set for smart home wars

Amazon’s Alexa+ and its new Echo devices set the stage for the next phase of the smart home race. With more natural conversations, stronger AI, and improved sound quality, Amazon aims to solidify its position as the smart assistant of choice. For consumers, the coming months will show whether Alexa+ delivers a true leap forward — or simply an evolution of what came before.

Pricing and availability

All four new Echo devices are available for pre-order in the United States, with U.S. customers receiving Alexa+ Early Access out of the box with the purchase of any new Echo. The Echo Dot Max, Echo Studio, Echo Show 8, and Echo Show 11 are priced at US$99.99 (S$128.67), US$219.99 (S$283.09), US$179.99 (S$231.61), and US$219.99 (S$283.09), respectively. 

We will update this article with local pricing and availability when we receive it.