Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro review: gorgeous screen, Android apps, and nice design and build quality, but Amazon's bloatware is pervasive and Alexa+ is subpar

Amazon tablets now run full Android, giving you access to the Google Play Store and all its apps.

Amazon has launched the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, a new 12-inch Android tablet priced at $549.99, designed with a focus on its high-resolution Nanomatte display which significantly reduces glare. This screen technology, developed in partnership with Corning, aims to enhance the viewing experience for reading and general use, even outdoors. The tablet offers access to the full Android app ecosystem via the Google Play Store, a notable departure from Amazon's previous Fire tablet operating system. However, the device is criticized for pervasive Amazon bloatware, including pre-installed, non-removable widgets and apps. Its performance is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8400 processor, which benchmarks below current iPad models, and the integrated Alexa Plus assistant is described as slow and limited in functionality. While the build quality and design are praised, other hardware components like speakers and cameras are considered average, and battery life falls short of advertised hours.

The Amazon Alexa Tablet 12 Pro represents a significant shift for Amazon's tablet strategy, moving away from its proprietary Fire OS to a full Android experience. This integration of the Google Play Store immediately addresses a major limitation of previous Amazon tablets, making them far more functional for a wider range of applications and services. The new Nanomatte screen technology, while impressive for reducing glare and enhancing readability, is accompanied by a more powerful, albeit still mid-range, processor and a less capable AI assistant, suggesting Amazon is prioritizing a premium display experience over raw performance or advanced AI integration in this price bracket.

This product signals Amazon's attempt to compete more directly with established tablet players by offering a superior display at a compelling price point, while still leveraging its ecosystem. However, the continued heavy integration of Amazon's own services and bloatware, even on a full Android device, highlights the company's ongoing challenge in balancing user experience with its strategic goals. The decision to offer full Android and the Play Store, combined with the hardware trade-offs, positions these tablets as a strong contender for media consumption and reading, but less so for productivity or heavy multitasking, especially when compared to premium competitors like iPads.