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The Amazon Echo Show 5 (2019) was released over two years after its successor, the Echo Show 5 (2nd generation), and is now superseded by the newer version of Amazon’s smallest smart display, the Echo Show 5 (2nd generation). There have been some minor improvements made to the entry-level gadget, which now allows you to hear and see Alexa’s reactions to the orders that you give it, despite the fact that it appears to be visually identical to its predecessor.
The quality of the camera has been increased to 2 megapixels, which is twice as high as the resolution of the previous model. This results in video calls seeming more crisp and clear, and there is now a Deep Sea Blue colour option available, in addition to Charcoal and either Glacier White or Sandstone, depending on the region in which you are located.
Amazon Echo Show 5 Specifications
Amazon has recently released new versions of its Echo Show smart displays that are powered by Alexa. When compared to its predecessor, the new Echo Show 8 (second generation) features several improvements.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 5.5-inch touch screen |
| Resolution | 960 x 480 pixels |
| Speaker | 1.65-inch built-in speaker |
| Camera | 1MP front-facing camera |
| Voice Assistant | Amazon Alexa |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 5.8″ x 3.4″ x 2.9″ (147mm x 86mm x 73mm) |
| Weight | 14.5 oz (410 grams) |
Amazon Echo Show 5: Design
Like its predecessor, the Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd generation) has a small footprint, measuring just 5.8 x 3.4 x 2.9 inches (or 14.8 x 8.6 x 7.3cm). The 5.5-inch screen, with a resolution of 960 x 480, is perched on the front bezel at an angle; the traditional wedge-shaped back holds the 1.6-inch speaker and is wrapped in a mesh fabric covering in Charcoal, Glacier White, and Deep Sea Blue.
The smart display has a 2-megapixel front camera for making video chats or monitoring your house when you’re not there. This is an increase of 200,000 pixels from the camera found on the original Echo Show 5. Physical volume controls, an Alexa mute button, and a camera shutter for privacy reasons are all located on the top of the gadget. You can visit its official website
Amazon Echo Show 5: Software
The Echo Show 5 is simple to set up, but it does require a little bit of effort on your part. During the first setup process, Assistant will prompt you to connect to the Home app. On the other hand, Amazon requires that you log in through the display itself. We do not enjoy having to enter my Amazon information and the two-factor code on the sluggish interface of this gadget, but it is functional, and you do not need to have your phone with you. After the display has been set up, all you have to do to communicate with it is say “Alexa.”
Even though there was some ambient noise in the room, the Echo Show 5 was still able to pick up my voice from across the space. In my perspective, the phrase “Alexa” is much simpler to pronounce than “Okay, Google.” We can say that utilizing the touchscreen display is a speedy and dependable experience, but I cannot say the same regarding Alexa requests. A low-power quad-core ARM CPU known as the MediaTek MT 8163 is included in the Echo Show 5, which is a chip that is frequently seen in cheaper smart home devices.
Amazon Echo Show 5: Sound Quality
The Echo Show 5 is a small gadget, so it can’t compete with the volume of sound produced by some specialized wireless speakers. On the other hand, it has a lot more bells and whistles than your average Bluetooth speaker. As far as the sound goes, it’s OK with us. It has a somewhat warm sound temperature, which aids voices on the radio and other similar sources and allows for a pleasant listening experience.
However, the premium Sonos Era 100 speaker, the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen), or the much cheaper Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) will provide you with more pleasing, Alexa-enabled sound, despite the fact that none of these five-star performers provide you with the significant advantage of an onboard display screen.
Price and availability
The Amazon Echo Show 5 (2019) has a starting price of $89.99 (£79.99), which places it in the position of being the most reasonably priced smart display that Amazon sells. As a point of comparison, the pricing of the Echo Show 8 (1st generation) is $89.99 / £79.99 / AU$129, whilst the most expensive Echo Show 10, which is the Echo Show 10, is $249.99 / £239.99 / AU$399.99.
Final Words
The Echo Show 5 doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not, and if you’re looking for a wireless speaker with superior sound quality, there are plenty of other options. However, this inexpensive toolbox offers much more. It opens up the realm of audio and visual digital assistants to a wider audience. For the price, it’s hard to find anything better if that’s what you’re after.
Amazon Echo Show 5 review: The good and The bad
If you already own an Echo Show 5 from the first generation, the second generation device does not offer any improvements that are particularly noteworthy.
The Good
- Affordable
- Small size for versatile placement
The Bad
- 3.5mm audio output has been removed
Questions and Answers
When you first set up an Echo in your house, there are no subscription fees incurred. If you pay Apple Music or Spotify’s monthly fee in addition to your own, for instance, they will charge you.
With some planning, you can use your Alexa as a Bluetooth device even if you don’t have Wi-Fi at home or if you’re going on vacation and won’t have access to Wi-Fi. Without an internet connection, you can utilize Alexa in two ways: Use your phone as a hotspot. Pair your device with Alexa wirelessly.