Smart displays are one of the most efficient and feature-packed ways to control your smart home. Today’s state-of-the-art displays do everything from helping out in the kitchen, answering frequently asked questions, connecting you to the news of the day, playing your favorite music and podcasts, and more. In a competitive market, Amazon is one of many smart display developers, reigning strong with its Alexa-powered Echo Show displays. While the Echo Show 8 and 5 have been around for a while, two new versions of both smart displays have recently hit digital and physical shelves.
If you’re thinking about buying a new Echo Show 8 or considering upgrading to your first-generation Show 8, let us help you decide. In this comparison, we’ll compare the second-generation Echo Show 8 to the first-generation, looking at criteria like design, camera, features, and price. Read on to see which screen is right for you.
Shape
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The latest Echo Show 8 and the OG 2019 version are almost identical in design. Both screens are 7.9 inches wide, 5.4 inches high, 3.9 inches deep, and feature an eight-inch touchscreen. Lightweight, both units weigh just 36.6 ounces.
When it comes to color options, there are only two to choose from: Glacier white and Charcoal. While we didn’t expect a long color palette, it would have been nice if the second generation upped the ante by offering at least two more shades from the case.
Both generations have a power port on the back of the screen covered in mesh, along with a switch for the camera lid, volume keys, and a microphone on/off switch. Unfortunately, Amazon has decided to remove the rear auxiliary port found on the first-gen model from the second-gen iteration. While the screen itself does a decent job when it comes to audio performance, it’s always nice to have the ability to plug in an external speaker or headphones.
If you’re eco-conscious, the second-generation Show 8 offers an advantage in terms of overall materials, with both the display and box packaging made from recycled plastics, fabrics, die-cast aluminum, and wood-fiber packaging.
We’re giving the first-gen Show 8 this status, but mostly because we’re worried about losing that precious 3.5mm jack.
Winner: Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)
Camera
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The built-in camera is one of the main differences between both generations of the Echo Show 8. The second generation iteration has received a big boost in megapixels, coming in at 13MP total, which is on par with the new Echo Show. 10. Compare that to the 1 MP lens on the first-gen Show 8. Plus (like the Echo Show 10), the second-gen Show 8 includes pan and tilt functionality, which automatically keeps you in frame as you roam around the room—a great feature for Drop In video calls (more on that below).
While the first-gen Show 8 provides decent camera quality, it just can’t match the level of detail you’ll get with the second-gen 13MP lens. Therefore, we reassigned the second generation.
Winner: Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)
Characteristics
Although the main features of both displays are essentially the same, the second-generation Show 8 gets improved overall performance. With an eight-core MediaTek 8183 processor (compared to the first-generation quad-core MediaTek 8163), users can expect a faster touchscreen, faster voice assistant responses, and better application performance.
Apart from the processor, the practical technology is the same. You can use Alexa, both at home and on the go, to control smart home devices in your home (cameras, lights, locks, etc.). You can also use the voice assistant to create and manage your calendar schedule, play games, and create Alexa routines that do everything from turn on your smart lights when you get home to automatically arm your smart lock when you leave for work in the evening. tomorrow.
Do you want to watch a movie while you prepare dinner? Both genres of the Show 8 are compatible with a variety of popular streaming apps, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, and premium music services like Apple Music and Spotify.
One of the most important features of the Echo Show is the ability to make Drop In video and audio calls with friends and family. For Drop In to work, your loved one will also need a Drop In-compatible device, like an Echo Show or Echo speaker. Once you’ve been approved as a direct contact, you’ll be able to “drop in” to a video chat (with Echo Show) or an audio-only conversation (other Alexa compatible speakers).
With no features to set any generation of Show apart, we think this one is a drag.
Winner: Undecided
price and guarantee
The second-generation Echo Show 8 currently retails for $129 and comes with a one-year limited warranty. The first-gen Show 8 can still be bought new for $109 and comes with the same warranty. In terms of overall value, it might be tempting to save $20 in the box with the first-gen model, but we’d actually recommend setting aside that extra-large bill for the second-gen model.
For just a little more, you get a drastically improved camera, a faster processor, and a host of other small changes that will certainly contribute to a better overall smart display experience.
Winner: Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)
Judgment
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When it comes to the cable, it’s easy to make our choice between both models: the second-generation Show 8. While we’re not happy about the loss of the 3.5mm output, there are simply too many other great tech improvements to start pretending the first-gen display is a better option. Four more processor cores mean faster performance in a variety of ways, and a 13MP camera means improved video calls and real-time smart security footage (think video doorbells and property cameras). Not to mention, it’s only $20 more than the previous generation.
Putting all this together, we give the most powerful laurel to the second-generation Echo Show 8.
Winner: Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)
editor’s recommendations
Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn