The Amazon Echo Show 5 has officially hit the UAE at an accessible price of $89.99. It’s firmly holding its position as one of the most budget-friendly smart displays in the market, offering the convenience of Alexa voice control coupled with a touch screen experience. While the third-generation Echo Show 5, not much has changed from its predecessors, the 3rd gen of this smart display boasts some improvements – a slightly larger size, smarter functionalities both in Alexa’s capabilities and touch-screen interface, and sound improvements.

Updates in Hardware

Retaining the familiar design cues from its predecessors, this Echo Show 5 is marginally larger, measuring at 3.2 by 5.8 by 3.6 inches (HWD) compared to the previous 3.4 by 5.8 by 2.9 inches, and packing a 5.5-inch screen slightly tilted upward, wrapped in black, white, or light blue fabric. The top edge houses volume controls, mic mute buttons, and a physical cover switch for the camera.

Performance

Under the hood, the Echo Show 5 receives a boost with a faster processor powered by MediaTek’s 8169 B chip, and integrates Amazon’s AZ2 Neural Edge processor, initially introduced in the Echo Show 15, delivering improved voice recognition and machine learning capabilities. In terms of audio, a slightly larger 1.75-inch driver replaces the former 1.65-inch variant, delivering better sound output. All this means the Echo Show 5 performs really good, and is very responsive.

Alexa Integration and features

As with any Echo device, the Echo Show 5’s primary function is to seamlessly integrate Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant into daily tasks. Offering hands-free convenience paired with visual responses, users can engage with Alexa by simply calling out its name and issuing commands or inquiries. The device supports English and Arabic-speaking Alexa voices. Alexa provides a plethora of services, from delivering weather updates and managing schedules to controlling compatible smart home devices via voice or touch commands.

You can simply tap the screen to schedule routines or simply ask Alexa:

“Alexa, turn on the lights.”

“Alexa, show me the front door.”

“Alexa, set the air conditioning to 22 degrees.”

Beyond its utility as a smart home hub, the Echo Show 5 serves as an entertainment center, capable of playing audiobooks, music, and podcasts from various streaming platforms. It supports video content from Amazon Prime.

The Echo Show 5 comes equipped with a 2MP camera, tap to snooze feature, and privacy shutter. The camera allows for Alexa calling, including video calls to other Echo Show devices, and can also serve as a security camera for live video viewing. However, it’s worth noting that the device lacks Zoom support, a feature available on larger Amazon smart displays like the Echo Show 8.

Audio Performance

In terms of audio playback, the single 1.75-inch speaker prioritizes speech clarity over bass-heavy music, employing digital signal processing (DSP) to manage bass response and prevent distortion at higher volumes. While it may not excel in delivering deep bass notes, it shines in delivering clear and crisp speech responses, making it suitable for a variety of environments.

Verdict

The Amazon Echo Show 5 continues to be a commendable choice for those seeking a compact and budget-friendly smart display powered by Alexa. Its enhanced functionalities and improved performance make it a versatile addition to bedrooms, small offices, or any space where space-saving solutions are desired.