Amazon announced four new Alexa+ Echo devices: Echo Dot Max, Echo Studio, Echo Show 8, and Echo Show 11. They run on new AZ3/AZ3 Pro chips and an Omnisense sensor platform for smarter, more proactive responses. Prices start at $99.99. Dot Max and Studio ship Oct 29; Show 8 and Show 11 ship Nov 12 in the U.S. Alexa+ Early Access comes out of the box with any new Echo.
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Amazon Launched Next Generation AI Alexa+ Echo Device
Amazon’s new Echo lineup is built specifically for Alexa+, the company’s next-gen assistant. The range includes a bass-boosted Echo Dot Max, a compact but powerful Echo Studio, and two reworked smart displays: Echo Show 8 and the larger Echo Show 11. All four emphasize faster on-device AI and better sensing to make Alexa+ more useful without you thinking about it.
Echo Dot Max
This is the first Dot with two speakers: a high-excursion woofer for deeper bass plus a tweeter for clean highs. Amazon says it delivers nearly 3× the bass versus Echo Dot (5th gen), and it’s powered by the new AZ3 chip for better voice pickup in noisy rooms. If you keep a small smart speaker in a bedroom or study and want better sound without going full-size, this looks like the sweet spot. Price: $99.99.
Echo Studio
Think of Studio as the “audiophile Echo” that shrank. The new model is about 40% smaller than the original but still supports spatial audio and Dolby Atmos through a custom woofer and three full-range drivers. It pairs with Fire TV for Alexa Home Theater so you can build a living-room setup without a receiver. Price: $219.99. Ships Oct 29.
Echo Show 8
The Show 8 keeps the 8-inch class but gets a thinner design, front-facing stereo speakers, and a custom woofer. Image quality is improved by an in-cell touch panel and what Amazon calls a “negative liquid crystal” layer for better viewing angles. There’s a 13MP camera so Alexa can greet you and surface the right info when you walk up. Price: $179.99.
Echo Show 11
New size, similar idea, bigger canvas. The Show 11 moves to an 11-inch Full HD-class panel with the same stereo speakers + custom woofer layout. It’s the one to get if you use a Show as a family hub for calendars, photos, and widgets. Price: $219.99.
Prices, release dates, and regions
- Echo Dot Max: $99.99 – pre-order now, ships Oct 29
- Echo Studio: $219.99 – pre-order now, ships Oct 29
- Echo Show 8: $179.99 – pre-order now, ships Nov 12
- Echo Show 11: $219.99 – pre-order now, ships Nov 12
Alexa+ Early Access comes included in the U.S. when you buy any new Echo. Availability and some features can vary by region.-
Why these are “Alexa+” devices
New AZ3 / AZ3 Pro chips
Amazon designed two fresh chips for this lineup: AZ3 and AZ3 Pro. Dot Max uses AZ3 to improve far-field voice pickup and reduce false wake words. AZ3 Pro in Studio and the two Shows adds headroom for language models and even vision transformers, which helps with faster, more natural responses and on-device inference over time.
Omnisense sensor fusion (what it does in real life)
These devices read multiple signals—camera (13MP on the Shows), audio, ultrasound, Wi-Fi radar, accelerometer, and Wi-Fi channel state info—so Alexa+ can react to context. Practical examples:
- A reminder card shows up when a specific person enters the room.
- A proactive alert if your garage door is still unlocked after 10 p.m.
- Presence-based routines (lights, music, ambient display) without you saying a word.
You can dial this back in settings if you prefer stricter privacy.
Quick Guide: Which Echo should you buy?
- Best for music and movies: Echo Studio. It’s the only one with Atmos and a multi-driver layout tuned for room fill. Pair two with Fire TV for a simple surround setup.
- Best small room speaker: Echo Dot Max. Noticeable bass jump over older Dots, still compact.
- Best for the family hub: Echo Show 11 if you want calendar boards, photo slideshows, and touch controls on a bigger screen; Show 8 if you’re tight on space.
If you already own a recent Echo Dot or a Show 8 and don’t care about Alexa+ features or presence-based routines, you might wait for sales. But if you want the easier, more proactive Alexa experience, these are the first devices truly built around it.
Quick Comparison Table
| Device | Price | Chip | Audio | Display/Camera | Standout | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Echo Dot Max | $99.99 | AZ3 | 2-way: woofer + tweeter; ~3× bass vs Dot (5th gen) | — | Compact, big sound | Oct 29 |
| Echo Studio | $219.99 | AZ3 Pro | Woofer + 3 full-range; Spatial + Dolby Atmos | — | Best for home theater | Oct 29 |
| Echo Show 8 | $179.99 | AZ3 Pro | Front-facing stereo + custom woofer | 8″ class; 13MP cam | Family hub on a desk | Nov 12 |
| Echo Show 11 | $219.99 | AZ3 Pro | Front-facing stereo + custom woofer | 11″ Full HD; 13MP cam | Bigger canvas for home | Nov 12 |
Alexa+ pricing: free with Prime or $19.99/month?
Alexa+ is free for Prime members and $19.99/month for non-Prime users when the Early Access phase ends. Right now, buying a new Echo in the U.S. grants Alexa+ Early Access out of the box. Outside the U.S., availability may roll out later.
Mini how-to: set up Alexa+ and try new skills
- Sign in on your new Echo during setup.
- In the Alexa app, look for Alexa+ and confirm Early Access.
- Try natural-language tasks: “Plan dinner Friday near us,” “Add dentist to my calendar,” “When did the package arrive?”
- Build a presence routine: “When I walk into the kitchen after 6 p.m., turn on lights and start lo-fi.”
- Optional: connect services like Uber, OpenTable, Ticketmaster as you need them.
Should you upgrade now or wait?
If you want Alexa that proactively helps presence-based routines, smart prompts, and faster responses the new hardware makes sense. Studio is a strong TV speaker alternative; Dot Max is the no-brainer entry point. If you’re satisfied with an older Dot/Show and don’t need these perks, you can hold for sale pricing or wider rollout outside the U.S.
The Bottom Line
This is the first Echo generation that truly feels built for AI-first Alexa. Amazon’s silicon and sensor stack should pay off over time as features expand. Buy for the experience as much as the hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Echo Studio still the best for music?
Yes. It supports spatial audio and Dolby Atmos and now comes in a smaller body. Add a second Studio for stereo or pair with Fire TV for home theater.
Can I connect multiple Echo speakers to my TV?
Yes. With Alexa Home Theater, you can connect up to five Echo Studio or Dot Max speakers to compatible Fire TV sticks for surround sound.
Do the Shows need cloud for every task?
No. AZ3 Pro enables more on-device processing for faster, privacy-friendly responses, with heavy lifting in the cloud when needed.
Will Alexa+ replace regular Alexa?
Alexa+ is the new experience rolling out in phases. Early Access is U.S.-first; broader rollout follows. Regular Alexa continues on older devices.
Do I need a smart-home hub?
The new Shows include built-in hubs with Matter, Thread, and Zigbee, so many devices connect directly.
Is Omnisense always on?
You control it. You can adjust presence features and camera settings or turn them off.
Featured Answer Boxes
What did Amazon launch for Alexa+?
Four Echo devices purpose-built for Alexa+: Echo Dot Max, Echo Studio, Echo Show 8, and Echo Show 11. They add new AZ3/AZ3 Pro chips, better microphones, and Omnisense sensors for more proactive, personalized responses. Prices start at $99.99.
When do the new Echo devices ship?
Dot Max and Studio ship Oct 29; Echo Show 8 and Show 11 ship Nov 12 in the U.S. Pre-orders are open now.
How much does Alexa+ cost?
After Early Access, Alexa+ is free with Prime and $19.99/month for non-Prime users. New Echo buyers in the U.S. get Alexa+ Early Access out of the box.
What is Omnisense on Echo?
Omnisense blends inputs from the camera, audio, ultrasound, Wi-Fi radar, accelerometer, and Wi-Fi CSI so Alexa can act contextually like greeting you as you approach or alerting you if a door is left unlocked late at night.
