The Echo Show 8 (3rd Generation) is the newest in a line of very similar “smart” display devices in the Amazon software ecosystem — how is this one different?
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Amazon is further expanding its Echo series of devices with a new Echo Show 8. This device is one of the larger screen-bearing Echo devices, rocking an eight-inch touch-sensitive panel on the front. While the difference is only around three inches diagonal, the Show 8 is noticeably larger than Amazon’s other mass-produced touchscreen device the Echo Show 5. It’s also a lot heavier, but as the device is designed to live on a desk or counter this doesn’t really matter.
The Show 5 got its third generation update earlier in 2023, and we noted a large improvement over previous generations of the device. So what differences does the third generation Echo Show 5 bring to the table? The most noticeable change is the now-central camera, but both the speakers and smart home functions have received a boost too. We were sent a sample of the new Echo Show 8 for testing purposes, and here’s what we found after taking an in-depth look at it.Setup is simple enough
The setup is pretty standard for an Amazon device with a display. You’ll have to connect the Show 8 to WiFi and then log into your Amazon account. Once you’ve typed both passwords in, you’re golden. As easy as this is, it could be a little simpler. Echo devices without screens are easier to set up as you have the option to connect them to your Alexa app and have the smart assistant do all of the work for you. Equally, the Show 8 has a camera — so why you can’t easily set everything up by waving a QR code at it is beyond us.
If you have a regular Echo, Echo Dot, or Echo Show 5 and are planning on a straight upgrade to the Show 8, there’s another very minor step you’ll have to perform. The Show 8 uses a different power cable, so you can’t just yank the cable from the back of your own device and pop it in the new one. How difficult this makes things for you depends on your cable management situation. Hopefully, you haven’t run your old Echo’s wire through a wall or countertop. If you have, then it may be worth considering the latest Echo Show 5.There’s huge entertainment potential
Unlike its 5-inch brethren, the 8-inch Echo Show has some serious visual entertainment potential. It’s about the size of the entertainment screens you’ll get on an aircraft, or in the back of a car. Plop this on a desk, or a bedside table, and you have a decent mini-TV. The actual entertainment options are shared with any screen-possessing Echo device,
In addition to Prime Video, you have access to some of the best streaming apps on the market. Netflix, Hulu, Sling, YouTube, and Tubi are all available on the Echo Show 8. As is a browser in the form of Amazon’s Silk — though this is a pretty limited browsing option when compared to something like Chrome.
Then you have music, courtesy of Amazon Prime Music or Spotify. Shout your request and Alexa will play it for you. You can also request a genre, or ask the home assistant for suggestions. If you have multiple Echo devices, it’s possible to ask the Show 8 to play something in a different room or have the music follow you around the house.
Games are also available, though the quality of said games depends more on the app itself than anything else. The Who Wants to Be a Millionaire app, in particular, should benefit greatly from the touch screen input. However, things like lag can see you accidentally blast through several questions at once and ruin your game.The display is very pretty
Amazon hasn’t filled us in on how many colors the Echo Show 8 can display, but it seems to be plenty. Those colors are also pretty vibrant and look fantastic when the device is displaying photos or playing video. The Gen 3 Show 8’s 1280 x 800 resolution is non-standard and below 1080p — but is still in the “HD” category. It’s also worth noting that higher resolutions only really pay off on far larger screens. As it’s the size of a fairly small tablet, the Echo Show 8 has enough pixels to look fantastic should you choose to watch something on it.
It’s also pretty bright. It’s not bright enough to the point where you could strap on a battery pack, take it outside, and binge-watch Netflix while sitting in direct sunlight — but it has more than enough to tackle most indoor lighting conditions. You’ll need a lamp directly above it or the sun poking through a window directly opposite to cause problems — and even then reflection is the main issue.The UI still needs a lot of work
Amazon has been nice enough to give you a generously sized device with a very responsive touchscreen. It’s tailor-made for prodding and swiping when you can’t be bothered with voice commands — or you’re in a situation where bellowing the word “Alexa” isn’t appropriate. Its smart-hub credentials
Unfortunately, the UI underpinning it all is awful. The swiping from the top to access a limited menu side of things is unintuitive, and then moving through the arbitrary categories to find the app, video, or piece of music you want is like pulling teeth. The smart home menu is also awful, but at least you can add your most used devices to an easy-to-access tab.
