Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) - Review

(Image: © Apple)

The original Echo Show 8 has been one of our favorite shows since it was released two years ago, thanks to the perfect balance of solid sound performance in size, bright and colorful screen, and plenty of Alexa voice control and smart home features at a low price. It remains good enough for Amazon to make very little changes to the second-generation model, selling for the same $ 129.99 as the original. The second-gen Echo Show 8 looks and sounds just like its predecessor, only the video chat camera and home surveillance are getting better. Not surprisingly as a tracking camera at $ 249.99 Echo Show 10, but the Echo Show 8 costs about half the price, making it the best price on the smart display market with our winner of Editors' Choice.

Almost Unchanged Inside and Exterior

The second-generation Echo Show 8 is exactly the same as the first, measuring 5.4 by 7.9 by 3.9 inches (HWD), with a triangular side profile that slides the 8-inch screen back like an easel.

The screen has an inch-long frame, fully loaded with LCD, and a camera in the upper right corner. The edges of the sports edges on the edges of the remote field pipes; up / down volume and microphone mute buttons; and replacement of camera privacy cameras. The back of the body of the Echo Show 8 is covered with a cloth, similar to the color of the front frame (available in black or white).

Internally, the hardware that empowers the second gen-gen Echo Show 8 is almost identical to the original, at least when it comes to audio and display performance. It has the same 8.0-inch touch screen and 1,280-by 800-pixel resolution, as well as 2.0-inch speaker speakers with bass radiator.

The MediaTek MT8183 processor is here to upgrade the power from MT8163 to the previous model, but you probably won't find much change in performance or response to everyday use. The original Echo Show 8 never felt delayed, and the extra power here didn't make a significant difference to the test. Basically, if you already own the original Echo Show 8, you should not expect a change in the way the new model looks, feels, or responds.

The biggest improvement the new Echo Show 8 gets over its predecessor is its camera. The new device is equipped with a 13MP camera with auto-frame, jump up from Echo Show 8's 1MP sensor first. It looks like the same camera used in the latest Echo Show 10, but without the tracking capabilities.

Amazon Alexa Voice Control

Like the Amazon Alexa smart show, Echo Show 8 offers voice control functionality through Amazon’s popular voice assistant. You can ask Alexa to get general information, check your calendar and email, set reminders, and perform other useful tasks, including managing smart home devices.

Of course, you can use Alexa to search and play music and video on Echo Show 8. For audio, you can access Amazon Music, Apple Music, SiriusXM, Spotify, and audiobooks from Audible. In video, there is Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Netflix. There are also a number of highly focused audio and video services available through Echo Show 8, including Food Network Kitchen for recipes, Headspace meditation and relaxation, and NPR news.

Alexa supports a wide range of home automation devices, including the largest products, with both voice and touch controls on the Echo Show 8. You can even bring live video feeds to the Echo Show from compatible indoor cameras and home security cameras like Ring Video Doorbell and Wyze Cam V3.

In addition to the smart home controls, many Alexa third-party capabilities can enhance the Show's support, allowing you to use it for everything from pizza ordering to bedtime reading.

As mentioned, the biggest change between the second Echo Show 8 and the previous version is an upgraded camera. You can use it to make video calls to anyone with the Echo Show; anyone with an Alexa app on their smartphone using Amazon's Drop In app; or make an advanced call with Chime if your organization uses it (Skype and Zoom are also supported).

The camera can also be used to monitor your home. You can do this by hand-tapping with the Home Monitoring feature, or by subscribing to Amazon Guard (free basic membership or $ 4.99 per month with advanced features) to set automatic notifications and Alexa practices like flashing lights when the camera detects movement.

While setting up Echo Show 8, this device will prompt you to sign in or out of the Amazon Sidewalk program. Sidewalk is Amazon's long network, a low-cost data network that creates a hunting net around its neighbors to improve the service area of   IoT devices including Ring cameras and Tile trackers. It's simple in theory, however we recommend disabling it if you are concerned about privacy and security.

Multimedia functionality: Exactly the same

Since the audio and video features of the new Echo Show 8 are similar to the previous model, you can read our review of that device to get a detailed description of what this model looks and sounds like.

In short, the screen is bright, colorful, and sharp, even if you need to increase the brightness (and disable the changing light) in order to work more efficiently. The speakers are strong enough, enough to fill the room with sound, with strong emphasis on mids and limited access to large floors and heights. It’s an excellent visual experience, especially considering the size and price of the Echo Show 8.

New Camera

As mentioned, the 13-megapixel high resolution camera is the only significant change in the Echo Show 8 compared to the previous 1-megapixel model. Certainly sharp for video calls and home monitoring, with detailed views that can be automatically inserted and zoomed in face while talking. With the exception of a large bump on megapixels, it’s not very sharp, but; even wit