TL;DR
Get furniture and decor delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
Amazon announced a 16-inch Echo Show 16 smart display starting at $500, with a $570 anti-glare version and a $100 preorder discount. It combines Alexa Plus, Fire TV and customizable home dashboards; Amazon says it will ship later this year but has not given an exact date.
Amazon announced the Echo Show 16, a 16-inch smart display starting at $500 that combines its Alexa Plus assistant, Fire TV streaming and a customizable home dashboard. Preorders are open with a $100 discount, while Amazon says shipments will begin later this year without specifying a date.
The Echo Show 16 is designed to bring several household functions onto one screen: users can control compatible smart-home devices, view shared schedules and lists, make video calls, display photos and stream television. Amazon is positioning it as both a wall-mounted home organizer and a screen for entertainment, rather than as a device focused only on voice assistance.
The display has a full HD screen that Amazon says provides 10% more viewing area than the Echo Show 15. Its aluminum frame is nearly 40% thinner than its predecessor, according to the company, and a new 10-speaker system is intended to improve sound for music, shows and calls. The optional Nanomatte screen costs more; Amazon says it reduces glare by more than 90%.
A 13-megapixel wide-angle camera supports video calls with automatic framing. Amazon says Visual ID can recognize household members from as far away as 17 feet, more than double the previous range of 8 feet. The device also adds night vision, and a dedicated button can disable its microphones and camera. Amazon has not provided independent test results for its performance claims.
One Screen for Household Tasks
The Echo Show 16 puts home controls, family organization and streaming together in a single device, with a screen large enough to remain visible from across a room. That could appeal to households that want a shared calendar and smart-home controls in a kitchen or living area without switching between separate devices.
Its price makes the proposition a significant part of the announcement. At $500 before accessories, it costs more than many smart displays, and the upgraded screen raises the price to $570. The device does not include a stand, so buyers who do not mount it on a wall must budget for one. CNET reported that Amazon’s 21-inch Echo Show 21 launched in 2024 at $400, making the smaller new model a premium-priced option within Amazon’s own lineup.
The added functions also depend on how well Alexa Plus and Fire TV fit into daily use. Amazon says the assistant can respond to conversational requests and handle multi-step tasks, while the screen can show interactive material such as charts, videos and recommendations. Those are company-described capabilities; how useful they prove for individual households remains to be seen.
Products Worth Considering
LEVOIT Vital 200S-P Smart Air Purifier for Large Rooms
Levoit Core 400S-P Smart Air Purifier for Large Rooms
Samsung 42-Inch S90H OLED 4K Smart TV Bundle
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
How the New Display Fits Amazon’s Lineup
The Echo Show 16 joins Amazon’s larger-screen Echo Show products, including the Echo Show 15 and Echo Show 21. Fire TV was already available on the 15 and 21, so the new model’s distinction is its combination of that streaming software with redesigned dashboards and the latest Alexa Plus experience.
Amazon describes three dashboard styles: Smart Home for connected-device controls, Family Organizer for shared calendars, lists, meal plans and recipes, and Photos for displaying pictures. A customizable favorites bar provides shortcuts. The included remote lets people use Fire TV without relying only on voice commands or the touchscreen.
Alexa Plus is not exclusive to the Echo Show 16. Amazon has also introduced Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11 models designed for the assistant. Some Echo Show 16 functions require Alexa Plus, which Amazon includes with a Prime membership; people without Prime can pay $20 a month for the full Alexa Plus experience.
“The company says the Nanomatte display reduces glare by more than 90%.”
— Amazon
Shipping Date and Real-World Performance
Amazon has not announced an exact shipping date, only that the Echo Show 16 is expected to ship later this year. The preorder discount is available, but the source report does not state when it ends or whether all configurations will ship on the same schedule.
The advertised improvements to glare reduction, sound, camera framing and recognition range come from Amazon; independent testing is not included in the available report. It is also unclear how well Alexa Plus’s multi-step assistance and interactive display features will work in everyday use, or how many functions will require a Prime membership or paid subscription. Buyers should also account for the separate cost of a stand if they do not wall-mount the display.
Preorders Await a Shipping Date
Customers can preorder either the $500 standard version or the $570 Nanomatte version, with a $100 discount currently offered to early buyers. Amazon says the product will ship later this year, but has not supplied a more specific timetable.
Before ordering, buyers can compare the screen options and decide whether to wall-mount the device or purchase a separate stand. Amazon lists a basic stand for $70 and a swivel-and-tilt stand for $125. The final cost will depend on the chosen configuration and accessories, as well as any applicable taxes.
Key Questions
How much does the Amazon Echo Show 16 cost?
The standard model starts at $500. The version with the Nanomatte anti-glare screen costs $570. Amazon is offering a $100 preorder discount, according to the source report.
When will the Echo Show 16 ship?
Amazon says it will ship later this year, but has not announced an exact date.
What can the Echo Show 16 do?
It combines Alexa Plus, Fire TV and customizable dashboards for smart-home controls, family calendars and lists, photos, video calls and streaming. It includes a remote for Fire TV.
Does the Echo Show 16 include a stand?
No. It can be mounted on a wall, or buyers can purchase a stand separately. Amazon lists a basic stand for $70 and a swivel-and-tilt model for $125.
Do all Echo Show 16 features require a Prime membership?
Amazon says certain features require Alexa Plus. The service is included with Prime; without Prime, the full Alexa Plus experience costs $20 per month. The available report does not specify every feature affected.
Source: cnet.com
