The Echo Show 5 has a smaller screen than most current phones, which is rare for a smart display. But it’s for those who want one on their nightstand, where a big screen isn’t needed.
It turns out that a 5.5 “panel is more than enough to view photos, weather, football scores or an album art. Even the lyrics of karaoke-style songs, if that’s anything. that interests you.
If you want to use Alexa in the kitchen to follow a recipe without using your hands, you might prefer the Echo Show 8, but the lower price of Show 5 might be tempting.
In fact, it’s a good option in any circumstance where great sound quality isn’t required, as the Echo Show 5 offers what’s known as basic audio. It’s fine for radio, podcasts, or pop music (if you’re not very picky), but thinner ears will want better.
What’s new in the 2nd Gen Echo Show 5?
- 2MP higher resolution camera
- Possibility to view the camera remotely
- New color Deep Blue Sea (blue)
- Sostenible (“Cliate Pledge Friendly”)
You might be wondering how it differs from the original Echo Show 5. And it’s just that you do.
There is only one big difference, and that is the camera. Instead of a 720p camera, the new model’s 2 MP sensor can record HD video, which means everything will look better during video calls.
That’s not at the level of quality you’ll get with the Echo Show 8’s new 13MP camera, and it doesn’t have the feature that always keeps you in the center of the frame.
Also, keep in mind that the Echo Show 5 does not support Zoom, you can just use Alexa to call other devices with Alexa. Zooming is supported on the Echo Show 8 (and 10).
The other big difference is that what the new Echo Show 5 camera shows can be viewed remotely, either through the Alexa app or from another Echo Show. This means that it can work as a kind of security camera. There is no motion detection or alerts, but you can watch live video whenever you want.
You can also use the Echo Show 5’s speaker and microphone to talk and listen when using this mode (like a video call, basically).
The only problem here is the angle, as the camera is pointed upwards and gives you a great view of your ceiling but not the rest of the room. It’s good when you use it to talk to someone, but not so good if you want to check out what’s going on when you’re not at home.
Amazon sells a dimmable stand to solve this problem and costs $ 19.99 / MXN $ 499.
The Echo Show 5 2021 has a few more differences. It comes in a new darker color, although it is not applied to the display bezel. This one is black, as in the anthracite version. Only the white model has a white bezel.
Finally, it no longer has the 3.5mm audio output of the original model, although that’s not too much of a problem for many. It still offers Bluetooth, which you can use to listen to music from a mobile or even pair it with a wireless speaker for better (or louder) sound.
Features and design
Everything else remains the same as in the original Echo Show 5. This means it has the same 960 x 480 screen resolution, the same 1.6 “speaker found below, and the same camera cover, useful if you want to use it in your bedroom.
At the top, there are three buttons: microphone on mute, volume up and volume down. Unlike other Echo speakers, there is no button to turn off alerts or turn on Alexa.
This is largely because of the touchscreen. And the Echo Show’s interface is just as easy to use on the 5.5 ” screen as it is on the larger models. Swipe down from the top of the screen to access shortcuts for the home screen and brightness settings, and swipe left to right to access shortcuts for communication, music, smart home, video, alarms, etc.
Aside from Zoom’s lack of video calling support, anything you can do on other Echo Show devices can be done here: watch Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube. As always, YouTube can only be accessed from Amazon’s Silk browser. Firefox has not been available since it was recently removed from the Echo Show.
On the small screen, it’s a little tricky to use the desktop version of YouTube, but it’s possible, and you can ask Alexa to search for you instead of typing (although the keyboard is surprisingly easy to use. ).
Alexa has the same capabilities as in any Echo device, with the added bonus that the screen displays additional information in some of her responses, timers, and in certain skills (especially in games like Defensible). You can also play videos from compatible cameras like Ring, Nest (including doorbells) and many more.
If there is a but, it is because it uses the same MediaTek MT 8163 processor as the original 2019 model. There is an obvious lag in responses when you swipe or tap the screen, and also a few seconds of waiting to load Netflix and other services. Animations, even the typical Alexa blue bar, can be jagged from time to time.
But the truth is, you can’t expect better: it’s a smart display that costs less than the standard Echo smart speaker, which doesn’t have a display.
Another highlight is that the Echo Show 5 does not have a Zigbee hub like the larger screen models and, without the more powerful Amazon AZ1 processor, it also does not support the more natural and dynamic Alexa voice. ‘other enhancements that include devices such as the 4th Generation Echo Speaker.
Pricing and availability
You can buy the 2021 Echo Show 5 on Amazon for $ 84.99 / MXN $ 1,999.
That’s $ 5 less than the first generation at launch, although it’s now available for much less. At Amazon, you can buy it for $ 64.99.
If you’re not particularly interested in the Amazon ecosystem, know that Google’s Nest Hub also costs $ 84.99. With a 7 “screen, full access to YouTube, Google Photos, and other Google services, it’s probably a better option for those who don’t necessarily want Alexa.
You can find more alternatives in our selection of the best smart screens.
Verdict
The Echo Show 5 2021 is a small update to the first-gen 2019 model. If you already own one, you won’t be tempted to buy the new one, but it does offer additional features for the same price.
However, if you are not interested in being able to see what the camera is recording from a distance or the slightest improvement in quality, you can find the original model on sale.
Specification List
- 5.5 “display (960 x 480)
- 1.65 “speaker
- 2 MP camera with cover
- Processor: MediaTek MT 8163
- Connectivity: 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth
- Dimensions: 148 x 86 x 73 mm
- Weight: 410g
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