The latest refresh of the Amazon Echo lineup marks the device family’s biggest overhaul in years, focusing not just on better sound, but on a more proactive and intelligent experience powered by custom silicon. The new generation, including the Echo Dot Max, the redesigned Echo Studio, and the updated Echo Show 8 and new Echo Show 11, is purpose-built to unleash the capabilities of Alexa+, a generative AI assistant designed for more natural and contextual conversations.
Audio Flagships: Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio
The new smart speakers are built around two custom-designed chips with integrated AI accelerators: the AZ3 (in the Dot Max) and the more advanced AZ3 Pro (in the Studio).
The Echo Dot Max elevates the compact form factor with a new, sophisticated two-way speaker system. It features a high-excursion woofer for optimised deep bass and a custom tweeter for crisp high notes, resulting in nearly 3x the bass compared to its predecessor. The AZ3 chip is optimized for conversation detection, enabling nearly 50% better accuracy in noisy rooms for free-flowing interactions with Alexa.
The new Echo Studio replaces the old cylindrical design with a modern, spherical shape, while retaining and enhancing its premium audio pedigree. It squeezes a powerful high-excursion woofer and three optimally placed full-range drivers into a body that is 40% smaller than the original. The Studio supports Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos for true surround sound and uses the beefier AZ3 Pro chip for advanced audio tuning and AI workloads.
A major practical feature across both flagships is Alexa Home Theatre, which allows users to connect up to five Echo Studio or Echo Dot Max devices wirelessly with compatible Fire TV sticks for an immersive surround sound system, which Alexa automatically tunes to the room’s acoustics.
Smart Displays: Floating Design and Omnisense
The Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) and the new, larger Echo Show 11 feature a striking design shift, moving away from the bulky wedge shape to a more elegant form where the thin HD display appears to float above a fabric-covered base.
The Show 8 features an 8.7-inch HD touchscreen, while the Show 11 offers a larger 10.95-inch Full HD touchscreen. Both run on the AZ3 Pro chip and incorporate the Omnisense sensor platform, which fuses data from the camera, audio, Wi-Fi radar, and ultrasound. This system enables a wider range of contextual interactions, such as Adaptive Content that shows more detailed information when you are nearby. Both models include a 13 MP auto-framing camera for crisper video calls and feature front-facing stereo speakers with a custom woofer for enhanced spatial audio.
Pricing & Availability
All new Echo devices are available for pre-order, and U.S. customers will receive Alexa+ Early Access out of the box. Using the latest available exchange rate (1 USD ≈ 4.21 MYR), the pricing is as follows:
| Device | USD Price | Malaysian Ringgit (RM) Price | Availability |
| Echo Dot Max | $99.99 | (RM421) | October 29 |
| Echo Studio (2nd Gen) | $219.99 | (RM926) | October 29 |
| Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) | $179.99 | (RM758) | November 12 |
| Echo Show 11 | $219.99 | (RM926) | November 12 |
The Echo Dot Max is available in Graphite, Amethyst, and Glacier White, while the Echo Studio is available in Graphite and Glacier White.
