Amazon has replaced its Fire tablets with a new line called Alexa Tablets, and the biggest change is on the software side. For the first time, an Amazon tablet ships with the full Google Play Store instead of Amazon’s own app store.
The tablets started shipping on October 14 in the US, Canada and Mexico. Buyers in the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain get them from October 19. Here’s what’s new and what it means if you pay for apps without a bank card.
At a glance
Prices and Models
There are three models, plus kids editions of the two smaller ones:
| Screen | Model | Price (US) | RAM and storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.7-inch | Alexa Tablet 8 | $229.99 | 4 GB, 64 GB |
| 11-inch, 90Hz | Alexa Tablet 11 | $329.99 | 8 GB, 64 GB |
| 12-inch, 120Hz | Alexa Tablet 12 Pro | $499.99 | 8 GB, 128 GB |
The 12 Pro also comes in a $549.99 version with an anti-glare Nanomatte screen, and Amazon sells a Pro Pen and a Pro Keyboard for it. Amazon hasn’t published euro or pound prices yet. Note that none of the models has a microSD slot, so pick the storage you need from the start.
Why Google Play Matters
Fire tablets ran Fire OS and only had the Amazon Appstore. To get YouTube, Gmail or many popular games, owners had to sideload apps, which was fiddly and sometimes broke after updates.
The new tablets run Android with full Google Play access. That means the same apps, games and updates as on any Android phone. Alexa+ is built in as well, with an option to ask the assistant about what’s on your screen.
What Happens to Fire Tablets
Production of new Fire tablets has ended, but Amazon says it plans to keep supporting existing ones. So if you already own one, it won’t stop working. Just don’t expect Google Play to arrive on it through an update.
Paying for Apps on an Alexa Tablet
Since the tablets use your Google account, you pay for apps and in-app purchases from your Google Play balance. A Google Play gift card tops it up without linking a bank card.
The card has to match your Google account’s country, not the tablet. A German account needs a German card, a French account a French card, and so on. Our guide to Google Play gift card regions lists which card works where.
For most paid apps and game top-ups, a 15 EUR or 25 EUR card is enough. Here are the cards for the countries where the tablets launch:
All regions
Google Play Gift Cards
Cards for 13 countries. Your code appears in your account right after payment.
Shop Google Play cardsFor the EU card, check the country list on the product page before you buy. All other regions are on our Google Play gift cards page.
