Amazon Echo Show 8 (Third Gen)
Improvements that matter
The Third era Echo Show 8 comes with a centered entrance digicam for higher video calls, in addition to improved audio high quality in your favourite music and movies. It may work as a wise dwelling hub by permitting gadgets from a number of rival ecosystems to work together with one another.
ForFaster chipset for higher facial and voice recognitionCentered front-facing cameraSpatial audio processingAgainstScreen nonetheless restricted to 1280×800 resolutionNeeds good dwelling gadgets with Thread and Matter assist to be of full use
Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)
Still has every little thing you want
While it might not be centered, the 13MP entrance digicam of the 2nd era Echo Show 8 is ideal for all of your video calls. Audio high quality is sweet sufficient for infrequent listening, and options like ‘Adaptive Content’ will ultimately develop into out there through software program updates.
ForSlightly extra inexpensivePhysical privateness controlsWill get some options of the newer mannequin through software program updateAgainstSomewhat slower chipsetVoice recognition is not the most effective
Amazon’s Echo Show lineup of good shows has grown steadily over the previous few years and now consists of a wide range of merchandise having totally different display sizes. The Echo Show 8 is arguably the most well-liked amongst them because it presents a balanced mixture of options (e.g., a sizeable show, good audio high quality, and good dwelling controls) at a worth that is excellent.Debuting in 2019, the Echo Show 8 obtained a reasonably large improve in 2021. Now, simply over two years later, Amazon has launched the Third era Echo Show 8. As you’d count on, the most recent mannequin packs in fairly just a few enhancements over its predecessor. That’s all effectively and good, however are these adjustments large enough so that you can improve? We examine the Amazon Echo Show 8 (Third Gen) vs. Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) and reply that query.Amazon Echo Show 8 (Third Gen) vs. Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen): How the design and {hardware} examine?Why you may belief Android Central
Our skilled reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services so you may select the most effective for you. Find out extra about how we check.Amazon Echo Show 8 (Third Gen) (Image credit score: Amazon)Put the newest Echo Show 8 subsequent to the previous-generation mannequin, and you would be hard-pressed to inform the 2 aside. Both good shows are just about an identical to one another and even have (nearly) the identical dimensions. That mentioned, they do have just a few delicate design variations between them.While the rear material enclosure of the 2nd Gen Echo Show 8 traces up completely with the sting of its show’s plastic body, the Third Gen mannequin has a barely extra pronounced and rounded rear that curves outwards a bit on all sides, simply earlier than mixing into the again of the show’s shell. Both gadgets nonetheless use a DC barrel port for energy enter, however the latest Echo Show 8 does away with the archaic microUSB port that I’m positive nobody even remembers being there on the older mannequin.The prime view of Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) (Image credit score: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central)Things are pretty comparable up entrance too, with each good shows having the identical 8-in HD touchscreen show with a 1280×800 pixel decision. However, the Third-gen mannequin options an edge-to-edge glass facade that makes it look a bit extra trendy. The prime bezel homes a 13MP front-facing digicam just like the one on the 2nd gen mannequin, apart from the truth that it is now positioned within the middle as an alternative of being on the left.All the controls are nonetheless situated on the highest edge; these embrace buttons for quantity adjustment and turning off the mic and digicam. Here, you will additionally discover the microphone array, in addition to a sliding change for the mechanical digicam shutter that is available in actual helpful at occasions whenever you need extra privateness.Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell – Column 0 Echo Show 8 (Third Gen)Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)Dimensions7.9 x 5.5 x 4.2 inches7.9 x 5.4 x 3.9 inchesWeight36.6 oz36.6 ozProcessorOcta-Core SoC with Amazon AZ2 Neural Network EngineMediaTek MT8183 SoCDisplay8-inch HD with 1280 x 800 pixels resolution8-inch HD with 1280 x 800 pixels resolutionSpeakers & Audio2 x 2-inch full-range drivers with passive bass radiator2-inch audio system with passive bass radiatorMicrophones44Digital camera13MP (centrally-placed with auto-framing)13M (left-placed with auto-framing)Physical ControlsCamera & Mic on/off button, Volume up/down buttons, Mechanical sliding digicam shutterCamera & Mic on/off button, Volume up/down buttons, Mechanical sliding digicam shutterPowerDC barrel energy port, 30W energy adapter includedDC barrel energy port, 30W energy adapter includedAlexa SupportYes, with voice management, Alexa abilities, and Privacy HubSure, with voice management, Alexa abilities, and Privacy HubSmart Home Hub ConnectivityZigbee, Matter, and Thread Border Router supportLow Energy Mesh and Matter assistWi-FiTwin-Band Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/acDual-Band Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/acBluetoothBluetooth LE with A2DP and AVRCP profilesBluetooth LE with A2DP and AVRCP profilesColor OptionsCharcoal, Glacier WhiteCharcoal, Glacier WhiteOtherAmazon Sidewalk, Software & safety updatesAmazon Sidewalk, Software & safety updatesThe Third Gen and 2nd Gen Echo Show 8 are almost the identical measurement and weigh precisely the identical. They additionally share the identical show and front-facing digicam, as effectively just a few different key options. But as you may see from the desk above, the true adjustments are totally on the within, and so they make the newest mannequin the most effective Amazon Echo Show at the moment out there out there.Amazon Echo Show 8 (Third Gen) vs Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen): What enhancements does the most recent model have?While the earlier mannequin has a MediaTek MT8183 SoC (System on Chip), the Third Gen Echo Show 8 is powered by Amazon’s custom-designed AZ2 octa-core chipset. It makes use of a neural community engine that lets the machine course of most of its knowledge regionally as an alternative of sending it over to the cloud. As defined by Android Central’s Jerry Hildenbrand, the AZ2 SoC permits for higher facial and speech recognition, enabling a cool new function referred to as ‘Adaptive Content’ to work its magic. It robotically adjusts the content material proven on the Echo Show 8’s show based mostly in your proximity to the good show.’Adaptive Content’ in motion on Amazon Echo Show 8 (Third Gen) (Image credit score: Amazon)When you aren’t standing in entrance of the machine, it may show info (e.g., time, climate, and information headlines) that may be learn from afar. As quickly because it detects you are close by, the UI adjustments to deliver up touch-friendly components for faster person interplay. These might be something — from good dwelling controls to shortcuts for accessing and beginning a video name — and so they’re all customizable.Speaking of video calls, the aforementioned centered digicam makes framing your self a lot simpler. As with the earlier mannequin, there’s additionally auto-framing assist, so you will keep within the digicam’s discipline of view even in the event you transfer round throughout a video name.The Third Gen Echo Show 8 includes a pair of full-range 2-inch audio system and a passive bass radiator. This {hardware} is helped by spatial audio processing and Amazon’s ‘Room Adaption’ expertise, which optimizes sound by sensing the acoustics of the room. Combine all that, and you must get an improved and extra immersive sound expertise throughout every little thing from multimedia playback to video calls.Smart dwelling controls on Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) (Image credit score: Android Central)Last however not least, let’s speak a bit about good dwelling options. Just just like the earlier mannequin, the Third Gen Echo Show 8 means that you can handle and management among the finest Alexa gadgets, in addition to summon Amazon’s voice assistant to do stuff like setting alarms, asking concerning the climate, and far more. Both good shows additionally work with Matter, the frequent connectivity commonplace that lets good gadgets from competing ecosystems interoperate seamlessly.While the older mannequin permits communication over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the newest Echo Show 8 takes issues even additional by including assist for Thread and Zigbee mesh networking protocols, which make it a real good dwelling hub that may deal with all of your good gadgets whatever the ecosystem(s) they belong to.Amazon Echo Show 8 (Third Gen) vs. Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen): Should you improve?There’s no denying that the Third Gen Echo Show 8 packs in fairly just a few adjustments over its predecessor, together with a centered front-facing digicam for higher video calls, improved audio high quality in your favourite music and movies, and the power to handle good dwelling gadgets from a number of ecosystems with little to no effort. The incontrovertible fact that it prices simply $20 greater than the older mannequin makes it a no brainer in the event you’re planning to get one quickly.But what if you have already got the 2nd Gen Echo Show 8 that you just received lately or perhaps a whereas again? Should you simply toss it within the bin and purchase Amazon’s latest good show as an alternative? Well, the reply to that is determined by how you’ve got been utilizing the present one since you bought it.Amazon Echo Show 8 (Third Gen) (Image credit score: Amazon)Do you recurrently join with household and associates over video calls utilizing the Echo Show 8 and assume these might be rather a lot higher? Do you typically hearken to your favourite tunes from among the finest music streaming providers on this factor however discover the audio output to be missing, much more in order there is no 3.5mm audio port to hook up an exterior speaker? Has the utilization expertise (e.g., Alexa’s responses to voice instructions) develop into somewhat sluggish over time?If the reply to any (or all) of the above questions is sure, we advocate going forward and upgrading to the Third Gen Echo Show 8. It presents a whole lot of goodies with out elevating the asking worth an excessive amount of. You will not need to preserve adjusting your self on video calls in order that others can see you correctly, and the newer chipset will make the on a regular basis utilization expertise a bit smoother. Once you’ve got upgraded, you may relocate your 2nd Gen Echo Show 8 to a different place in your house and preserve utilizing it as a secondary good show.Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) (Image credit score: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central)On the opposite hand, if the 2nd Gen Echo Show 8 that you have already got is simply used now and again for listening to the occasional music or watching a fast recipe video, it makes little sense to improve. Similarly, in the event you’re already totally invested in Amazon’s good dwelling ecosystem and haven’t got (or plan on getting) any gadgets that work with rival ecosystems, otherwise you could not care much less about all these items altogether and simply received your present Echo Show 8 to mess around with it, we propose skipping the Third Gen mannequin.It’s additionally price mentioning right here that some options (e.g., Adaptive Content) will ultimately come to the 2nd Gen Echo Show 8 through a future software program replace, so you will not be lacking out on an excessive amount of by not getting the most recent model.
Amazon Echo Show 8 (Third Gen)
Latest and best
Priced simply $20 greater than its predecessor, the Third era Amazon Echo Show 8 presents a better-positioned entrance digicam, improved sound output, and a proximity-based adaptive person expertise.
Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)
Essential options, inexpensive worth
It might now not be the most recent factor on the town, however Amazon’s 2nd era Echo Show 8 continues to be a stable good show. It permits you to make video calls, get pleasure from your favourite tunes and movies, management Alexa-enabled gadgets, and extra.