ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Amazon launched the third-generation Echo Show 8 in late 2023 for $150.
- The smart display has an improved speaker with spatial audio, a centered camera for improved video calls, and Adaptive Content that adjusts based on how close you are to the device.
- Although the Echo Show 8 has many improvements, the screen remains at 1080p resolution, and there are few customization options.
When Amazon released the Echo Show 8, I was able to test it for a few months. Coming from a first-generation Echo Show 8 makes the upgrades to the third-generation model all the more noticeable.
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In addition to its sleeker design with edge-to-edge glass, center-set built-in camera, and smaller speaker enclosure, the 2023 Echo Show 8 features spatial audio, a faster processor than previous generations, and an upgraded smart home experience.
Amazon’s updates to its third-generation Echo Show are evident from the moment you unbox the device. The typical plastic packaging is nowhere to be seen, as the device is wrapped mostly in recyclable materials. Amazon says 99% of the device’s packaging is made of wood-fiber materials from “responsibly managed forests or recycled sources.”
Once unboxed, the Echo Show 8 stands out from previous generations for its different design, particularly the speaker on the back. Other Echo Show devices have a tapered speaker back that doubles as a stand to hold the smart display up to make it self-standing. The latest Echo Show 8’s speaker also props up the display, but it has a new design that is, in my humble opinion, an interesting choice.