Amazon’s new Echo Show 11 is an updated version of the Echo Show 10 launched in 2020. Launched alongside the Echo Show 8, this new 11-inch smart speaker offers plenty of upgrades for users looking for an everyday smart home companion, especially with its larger screen. Amazon says it’s built on Omnisense technology, which provides automated routines based on presence, motion and temperature detection. I will discuss this in depth in my review.
Echo Show 11 has been launched in Graphite and Glacier White colors and is priced at Rs 1,999. 26,999, while the Echo Show 8 is priced at Rs 26,999. 23,999. The smart speaker is available for purchase through both online and offline channels, and in this review, I’ll break down whether you should buy Amazon’s latest smart speaker.
It features a 10.95-inch full HD touch screen with a resolution of 1920×1200 pixels
Amazon Echo Show 11 design: Bigger is better
The first time we saw a screen on an Echo smart speaker was in 2017, when the Alexa voice assistant received an avatar refresh. The new Echo Show 11 looks more like an upgraded version of the Echo smart speaker. This design is one we’ve seen before. The 11-inch large screen is installed on the speaker and looks exquisite. Mesh material covers the entire speaker, giving it a clean, premium look.
Echo Show 11 comes with hands-free voice control via Alexa
The new 3D knitted fabric, together with the thin bezel, maximizes the viewing space, and the ambient visual effects automatically adapt to the environment, bringing a comfortable viewing experience. At night, it has a dark theme; during the day, it’s a little lighter.
Of course, the Echo Show 11 is designed for those who want more than just the Alexa assistant or a ticking clock on their desktop. It’s also designed to be used for streaming video content from apps like Amazon Prime Video and rival platform Netflix. You can also run YouTube on the Echo Show 11, but users won’t buy it to watch YouTube.
Echo Show 11 is powered by a custom-designed silicon chip, the AZ3 Pro
Amazon Echo Show 11 specs
- Screen – 11-inch Full HD (1920×1200 pixels) display with narrow bezels
- Speakers – Room-filling spatial audio with dual full-range drivers and 2.8-inch woofers
- Camera – 13 megapixels, supports auto-framing
- Alexa built-in support
- Video support – watch Prime Video, Netflix and other apps through your browser
- Other Features – Built-in smart home hub, ultrasonic motion detection, room temperature sensor, presence detection sensor
- Physical controls – microphone/camera button (enable or disable) and volume control
- Dimensions and weight – 260x180x130mm and 1.3kg
- Connectivity – Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
- Processor – AZ3 Pro with AI accelerator
- In the box – Power adapter (30W) and quick start guide
To set up your Echo Show 11 device, plug in the device, wait for the device to boot up and indicate it’s ready for setup, select your preferred language and complete setup
Amazon Echo Show 11 Performance: Suitable for most tasks
The Echo Show 11 comes with a ton of upgrades compared to the older model. The best part is that the new Echo speakers can blend into any corner and can be placed on a shelf or tabletop. It can also be a great companion on your desk thanks to its better display.
Echo Show 11 has a 13-megapixel camera with auto-framing
Setup is done flawlessly via the Alexa app on your smartphone. If you already own some Echo speakers, setting up the Echo Show 11 only takes a few minutes. Like previous models, you can interact with the Echo Show 11 via voice commands, and it also includes some physical controls for the microphone (on/off) and volume. I really miss a proper shutter button on the camera, which is absolutely useless if you don’t make video calls from time to time.
It is powered by AZ3 Pro processor with AI accelerator
Once set up, the Echo Show 11 begins to adapt to your daily routine, from when you wake up to what you watch on the display to the music you choose.
You can also start controlling compatible electronic home appliances such as smart air conditioners, fans, lights, or play something on streaming apps like Prime Video and Netflix – all with hands-free voice commands or screen touch control. You can easily manage daily tasks by granting calendar access. Echo Show 11 then displays your day, including important planned tasks, and you can jot down shopping notes or a to-do list for the next day.
Weight about 1.3kg
The biggest new feature here is Omnisense technology, a custom technology built for ambient AI that provides better situational awareness. It supports features such as visual ID, proximity and presence detection, temperature sensing, and adaptive brightness and color. The Echo Show 11 is powered by AZ3 Pro, another custom-designed silicon chip that enables fast performance. Interestingly, Omnisense is built on this chip.
Another highlight of the Echo Show 11 is the new audio architecture, which is much better than what we heard on the Echo Show 10. At 75% volume, the Echo Show 11 delivers decent, balanced sound for room-filling spatial audio. It has front-facing stereo speakers and a custom subwoofer. Even at maximum volume, the Echo Show 11 performed well in a hall-sized room.
The device contains ultrasound, Wi-Fi radar and accelerometer
To test the camera, I used the communication function to call another Echo speaker on another floor, and the video quality was good and the sound was clear. The best part is that you can install an Echo speaker with a screen and camera in another room and use the Echo Show 11 to continuously check for real-time feedback. You can access real-time feedback via voice commands by saying “Show me” followed by the name of your Echo Show device.
If you need to be away from home for a few days but you have an Echo Show (such as the Echo Show 11) at home, you can use Live View, which lets you check in on your home while you’re away by remotely viewing live camera footage from a compatible device through the Alexa app. Note, however, that turning the camera off disables live view.
The presence detection sensors and personalized reminders are surprising in the first days, but you get used to them.
The Echo Show 11 uses a camera to detect presence or proximity, and the device may also use ultrasound, which in some cases is combined with a Wi-Fi signal to detect presence or proximity. Once a presence is detected, the Echo Show 11 can perform routines, such as turning on the lights when someone enters the room. Notably, presence detection is also used to power adaptive content.
Amazon Echo Show 11 review: Conclusion
At Rs. 26,999, the Echo Show 11 update is much bigger than what we’ve seen from Amazon so far. However, its biggest competitor is its smaller sibling, the Echo Show 8, which is priced at a lower price of Rs 100. 23,999. I really miss the rotating screen compared to the Echo Show 10, and if it had a rotating screen on the Show 11, it would be an advantage over the Show 8. Currently, the Echo Show 11 doesn’t have any advantages over the Show 8 other than a larger screen.
So what are the new and better features of the Echo Show 11? Well, it has much-needed design improvements and a brighter, clearer display that’s the best we’ve seen on Amazon. In terms of performance, the speaker output is far superior to the Echo Show 10, while the camera and personalized recommendations are more refined than ever. Amazon’s big mistake was keeping Alexa+ limited to the US market, which makes the Show 11 even more expensive.
Still, the current iteration of the Echo Show 11 offers the best design updates, rich sound output, and the best display we’ve ever seen on an Echo device. So if your priority is a bigger display, you can pick one up; otherwise, the Echo Show 8 offers the same package at a lower price.
