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Amazon has announced the Echo Show 16, a 16-inch smart display designed to serve as a central home hub by combining Alexa Plus, Fire TV, and a customizable home dashboard into a single device starting at $500.
Display and Hardware Features
The new device features a full HD display that provides 10% more viewing area than the Echo Show 15, housed within a redesigned aluminum frame that is nearly 40% thinner than its predecessor. A new 10-speaker system is built to deliver fuller sound for music, TV shows, and video calls. Additionally, a $570 version offers an optional Nanomatte display, which reduces glare by over 90% for use in bright environments like kitchens or near windows.
For video communication, the Echo Show 16 includes a 13-megapixel wide-angle camera with automatic framing. The device more than doubles the range of Visual ID, extending recognition and screen personalization from 8 feet to 17 feet. It also introduces night vision to the lineup, and features a dedicated button to disable the microphones and camera.
Smart Home and Entertainment Capabilities
The device introduces three new screen styles: Smart Home for controlling connected lights and thermostats, Family Organizer for shared calendars and meal plans, and Photos to turn the screen into a digital photo frame. A customizable favorites bar provides quick access to frequently used features. With Fire TV built in and an included remote, users can stream services such as Netflix, Disney Plus, YouTube, and Prime Video.
Alexa Plus Integration and Pricing
The display runs Amazon’s Alexa Plus AI assistant, generating interactive content like comparison charts and videos during conversations. It also introduces Cards to organize previous discussions, such as travel planning, into revisable topics. Certain features require Alexa Plus, which is included with a Prime membership or costs $20 a month separately.
The standard model is priced at $500, while the Nanomatte version costs $570, both currently offering a $100 preorder discount. The package does not include a stand, requiring users to mount it on a wall or purchase a $70 basic stand or a $125 swivel-and-tilt stand separately.
Amazon stated that the Echo Show 16 will ship later this year, though an exact release date has not yet been announced.
