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In this comparative study of Echo Show 10 vs 2nd Gen, I’ll unpack the key differences between these Amazon smart displays.
The pivotal distinctions are as follows:
The Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen), Amazon’s latest Alexa-enabled device, introduces significant technical advancements over the 2nd Gen. Its most notable features include a 13-megapixel camera, two 1-inch tweeters, a 3-inch woofer, and a 360° rotating display with auto-framing. Additionally, enhanced privacy features, such as a camera shutter, confirm its superior design, albeit at a higher price.
Should you upgrade? Yes! I’ll go into more detail as to why below.
The Evolution of Amazon Echo Show
The world of smart displays is ever-evolving, and Amazon continues to lead the pack. Statistica, a renowned market research firm, reports that Amazon holds a commanding 61% share of the 9.6 million smart displays sold in the U.S. alone. It’s an impressive statistic, and introducing the new Echo Show 10 only seems set to amplify this dominance.
I must confess, I had a soft spot for the Echo Show 2nd Generation. As one of my eight Echo devices, it occupied a prime spot on my kitchen counter for a long time. But all good things come to an end, and with the 2nd Gen now discontinued (though refurbished models can still be found on Amazon), I turned in my trusty 2nd Gen to Amazon’s buyback program.
The Echo Show 10 has claimed its space on my counter for over a year. It took some getting used to, but the Show 10’s upgrades have grown on me. It has proven its worth with a faster processor, auto-framing, a high-resolution camera, a camera shutter, and improved sound. I’ve come to appreciate these enhancements and am excited to delve into their specifics with you. Stay tuned for my personal insights and experiences. Here’s a video showcasing Show 10’s motion detection
Let’s get into my full Echo Show 10 vs 2nd Gen review and comparison. Up first, a comparison table!
Echo Show 10 vs 2nd Gen: Side-by-Side Comparison
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the major features of the Echo Show 10 vs 2nd Gen.
Last update on 11/13/2024 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Echo Show 2nd Generation
My Echo Show 2nd Gen
My Echo Show 2nd Generation holds a special place in my heart. Its aesthetic appeal and excellent sound quality as part of my multi-room music configuration made it a cherished part of my kitchen.
As a culinary aid, the 2nd Gen was a godsend, providing step-by-step recipe guidance and doubling as a convenient YouTube-streaming device. Though it’s discontinued, Amazon may still offer refurbished models.
Now, my counter hosts the Echo Show 10, and I must say, I’ve come to appreciate the upgrades it brings. In the sections below, I’ll delve deeper into how the Echo Show 10 enhanced my experience while highlighting the differences between Echo Show 10 2nd Gen.
Video Reviews
Allthingstech thoroughly reviews the Echo Show 2nd Gen out on YouTube. Love the accent, man. Happy birthday!
And here is my unboxing of the Echo Show 2nd Gen over at my YouTube Channel:
Vital Specs
- 10.1 inch HD display
- Dual 2” neodymium drivers & passive bass radiator
- 5MP camera
- Zigbee Hub
- Intel Atom x5-Z8350 processor
Pros
- Large screen great for whatever you are watching
- Elegant design wins out over the 10 in my opinion
- The best sounding of the Echo Shows to date; we’ll see if Show 10 really does sound better
- Speakers deliver nice highs and lows
- Sounds great as part of my multi-room music configuration
- Zigbee hub lets you can control Hue lights without a bridge
Cons
- Discontinued and may no longer be available
- Does not include a stand, although one can be purchased separately
- Similarly, there is no camera shutter [this can also be purchased as an add-on]
- No YouTube app, so need to open a browser
- Some users complain about screen glare
📚 Related: 13 Best Echo Show Stands
Echo Show 10 3rd Generation
The Echo Show 10 3rd Gen elegantly evolves the impressive foundation laid by the Echo Show 2nd Gen. It holds onto what I loved about the 2nd Gen while amplifying its prowess with compelling upgrades.
Sporting the same 10.5-inch HD display as 2nd Gen, the biggest difference is the new form factor and the fact that the screen can follow you around the room. While I don’t make many video calls, I do like to cook, and this has been a nice upgrade to have on-screen recipes follow me around while I “create” in the kitchen.
Audio also gets a nice bump, with 2 x 1.0″ tweeters and a 3.0″ woofer enhancing the sound experience. The camera upgrade to 13MP, significantly better than the 2nd Gen’s 5MP, captures crisp visuals, and the built-in camera shutter adds an appreciated layer of privacy.
The Show 10’s design is thoughtfully versatile, available in charcoal and white to fit any kitchen decor. Here’s what mine looks like on my kitchen counter.
My Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen)
The Echo Show 10 demonstrates how smart displays can grow, borrowing from the past while boldly stepping into the future.
Learn more at Amazon’s Show 10 product page.
Video Reviews
Check out my unboxing video at my @TecTimmy YouTube channel to see the Echo Show 10’s new form factor.
CNET does a nice job showcasing Amazon’s new lineup, including the Echo Show 10.
Vital Specs
- 10.5 inch HD display
- 2 x 1.0” tweeters and a 3.0” woofer
- 15MP camera
- Zigbee Hub
- Two processors: MediaTek 8183 and Amazon AZ1 Neural Edge
Pros
- Adds a 3.0″ woofer for increased bass – no doubt to compete with the Google Nest Hub
- The camera is significantly better at 13MP vs 5MP with the Show
- Includes built-in camera shutter in addition to microphone/camera on-off button
- Available in charcoal and white to accommodate just about any kitchen décor
- No separate stand required
Cons
- Zigbee Hub is limited to select Amazon partners
- The resolution is the same as its predecessor
- Costs more
- No temperature sensor like on the new Echo [non-screened speaker]
Echo Show 10 vs 2nd Gen: Similarities
When comparing Echo Show 10 vs 2nd Generation, the similarities are:
- Screen size and resolution are the same – 10.1 inches with a 1280 x 800 resolution.
- The camera is in the same location
- Both will let you control over 25,000 smart home devices
- Both will work with Alexa Guard, although Show 10’s ability to pan around a room makes this more effective
- Alexa’s skills are the same across any Alexa device, which is also true of smart displays. Popular Echo Show skills include recipes, music Amazon Music or streaming from Apple Music, Spotify, and more, and streaming video content from Prime Video, Netflix (coming soon), Hulu, and others. YouTube is still accessible only via the web browser [no skill or app].
- From a security perspective, they both allow you to disable the camera and microphone, although the new Show 10 adds the same camera shutter introduced with the Echo Show 8 and 5 that completely blocks the camera lens
- You can use both smart screens to display digital photos of family and friends via the Alexa app
- Set up process it essentially the same and no longer requires switching over to your phone; both screens automatically connect to Alexa during setup
- They both include a Zigbee Hub
- The proprietary 30W power adapter is the same for both devices.
Echo Show 10 vs 2nd Gen: Differences
Here are the major differences between Echo Show 10 vs 2nd Generation:
- The most obvious difference is the design is dramatically different, where the base of the new Show 10 is a 360-degree speaker
- The new show uses face and body recognition to track your movements and follow you around the room (Amazon took a queue from the Facebook portal) here
- a 5-megapixel camera, the Echo Show 10 (third-gen) bumps that all the way up to a 13MP camera.
- The power cable is a foot longer on the new Echo Show 10 vs 2nd Gen
📚 Related: Echo Show 8 2021 Vs 2019
Technical Specifications
System Requirements
Echo Show 10 comes ready to connect to your Wi-Fi. Here is what is supported:
- 11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi networks
- Dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi (MIMO)
- 15.4 radio support for smart home devices
What is not supported:
- Ad-hoc (or peer-to-peer) Wi-Fi networks
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 ax) <- You are probably NOT running this yet
Operating Systems
The Alexa app is compatible with Fire OS, Android, and iOS devices and accessible via your web browser.
Setup Technology
This is a great new feature. The setup “just works” now for both devices. Echo Show automatically finds and connects to your Wi-fi network. There is no more back and forth between your phone and the Echo device. Very cool.
Processor
When comparing the processor on the Echo Show 10 vs 2nd Generation:
- On the Echo Show 2nd Gen, the processor is the Intel Atom x5-Z8350.
- On the Echo Show 10, MediaTek 8183 is the main processor, plus there is a second processor: the Amazon AZ1 Neural Edge.
Accessibility Features
From Amazon:
“On Echo devices with screens, you can enable Alexa and closed captioning, magnify the screen, toggle color inversion, and choose between color correction options. You can also enable the VoiceView screen reader to use gestures to navigate the screen and hear spoken feedback about the items you select. Learn more about Echo with screen accessibility and Alexa accessibility.”
Bluetooth
In comparing Echo Show 10 vs 2nd Gen, Echo Show 10 supports Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) support to audio stream from your mobile device to Echo Show 10 or from Echo Show 10 to your Bluetooth speaker.
Bluetooth speakers requiring PIN codes are not supported.
What’s in the Box
If you are curious about what comes in the box with Echo Show 10 vs 2nd Gen, here is the scoop on both packages.
Note: I see that in one of the Amazon Product images, there is a stand in the photo, I don’t think this comes with the 2nd Generation Show. I didn’t get this with mine. Can someone leave me a comment below and let me know if this has changed?
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Echo Show 10 Box |
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Price Comparison Chart
Here is a price comparison table to compare all Echo Show displays side by side (contains affiliate links).
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Echo Show 10 vs 2nd Gen: Conclusion
After an extensive comparison of the Echo Show 10 vs 2nd Gen, I can confidently recommend the Show 10 to those seeking to enhance their smart display experience.
While the Echo Show 2nd Gen is special in my heart, the Show 10 offers compelling improvements. The enhanced camera and audio capabilities alone make it a worthy upgrade, especially for those who value video calls and a rich music experience.
The Show 10 has successfully built on the strengths of the 2nd Gen while introducing new features that push the boundaries of what a smart display can offer.
As for the price, it’s slightly higher than the 2nd Gen, but considering the advanced features and performance upgrades, I’d say it’s well justified.
Whether you’re a frequent video caller, an audiophile, or want the best smart display experience, the Echo Show 10 is a worthy upgrade for your kitchen counter.
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Tim Brennan, a tech blogger and host of the @TecTimmy YouTube channel, writes about smart homes at oneSmartcrib, home theaters at UniversalRemoteReviews, and AI in writing at Writeinteractive. He holds a Journalism degree from Northeastern University and has covered technology for three decades. He lives on the ocean in Nahant, Massachusetts.
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