Amazon's Alexa Tablet 12 Pro Features Enhanced Display Technology

The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro's screen has garnered significant attention, and for good reason - it's one of the standout features of this device.

Measuring at 12 inches with a resolution of 2800 x 1840 pixels, the display boasts a new technology called Nanomatte that aims to reduce glare and give users an immersive on-screen experience. The screen's performance is particularly noticeable when used outdoors, where it tends to reflect too much light. In contrast, the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro's screen reflects only a small amount of light, allowing users to see what's behind them without losing image sharpness.

Amazon has clearly prioritized this aspect of the device, starting with this screen when building the best tablet they've ever shipped. The company has partnered with Corning to etch the display at a sub-pixel level, reducing glare while minimizing the rainbow-shimmering effect that can occur on other matte screens.

The Nanomatte coating is one of the key differentiators between the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro and its competitors. Other mid-range tablets from Amazon offer similar features but lack this innovative display technology. Those devices also come with a range of Amazon bloatware, which may not appeal to all users.

While I haven't had the chance to review these other devices, it's clear that they serve an important purpose - providing affordable Android options for those who need them. However, the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro stands out from the pack due to its exceptional display, which sets a new standard in this price range.

The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro boasts an impressive display, one that stands out from other Android tablets in its price range. The viewing angles are incredibly wide, allowing users to easily switch between different positions without compromising on picture quality.

While the display is not perfect, it has some notable features that make up for any minor shortcomings. For instance, the anti-glare texture gives the device a subtle shimmer effect when displaying light text on a black background. However, this is a small price to pay for the excellent viewing angles and vibrant colors.

One area where the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro falls short of more premium devices is in its brightness levels. While it's not a major issue, users may find themselves wishing for a bit more luminescence, especially when using the device in bright lighting conditions. Fortunately, this hasn't been a significant problem due to the anti-glare texture.

The display also has some specific modes that can be adjusted to improve picture quality. These settings allow users to tweak tone and color to enhance readability, with options like "Boosted" and "Natural available for fine-tuning. During my review, I found that switching from Boosted" to "Natural" made a noticeable difference in the overall picture.

The display's 120Hz refresh rate is also noteworthy, delivering smooth visuals when running demanding games or applications like Star Wars: Galactic Racer. Additionally, the 3:2 aspect ratio feels natural for web browsing and side-by-side work, making this device well-suited for productivity tasks.

The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro's display modes have proven to be a pleasant surprise, making reading on the device a more enjoyable experience than expected. This is particularly noticeable when compared to other giant screens available in the market.

In my testing, I've found that the 12 Pro's screen outperforms any iPad I've tried, both indoors and outdoors. While it may not have the same glass finish as some of its competitors, such as the iPad Pro with nano-texture glass, its performance is still impressive.

The device's MediaTek Dimensity 8400 processor has been a mixed bag in terms of performance. In benchmarking tests, it falls somewhere between last year's flagship high-end Android phone and this year's flagship phone from two years ago. However, when compared to the current iPad Pro, the 12 Pro lags significantly behind.

In my day-to-day use, I've found that the device has plenty of power for most tasks, including gaming, work, and watching videos. The only instances of slowness have been minor issues with the Android experience, such as a stuttering app switcher when loading.

The 12 Pro's hardware is somewhat basic, but it gets the job done. The four speakers are decent, producing loud and clear sound, although they may lack some depth in terms of tone and clarity.

The camera system on this device has some notable limitations when it comes to color representation, but it still manages to deliver decent results for video calls despite these shortcomings.

One of the more pleasant surprises is the 99 keyboard case, which offers a comfortable typing experience - although it can be a bit fiddly to detach and manipulate.

The included 99 pen also provides a smooth and responsive writing experience, but its utility is somewhat hampered by the fact that not many Android apps are optimized for stylus input.

Battery life is another area where this device falls short of expectations, with around eight hours of screen time available - less than what Amazon advertises and slightly below my own preferences.

The various compromises made in terms of design and functionality don't necessarily add up to a major problem.

The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro's design compromises extend beyond its hardware and software capabilities. Two non-removable homescreen widgets are added, serving as advertisements for Amazon products rather than providing any useful functionality.

These widgets occupy valuable space on the tablet's interface, taking up real estate that could be used for more practical purposes. The top left corner of the screen is commandeered by an ad promoting premium ingredients in cooking, which launches a persistent Alexa chat window in the bottom right corner when clicked.

Fortunately, this issue can be mitigated with relative ease. Android users can install a new launcher within 30 seconds, effectively bypassing Amazon's unwanted widgets and reclaiming control over their tablet's interface.

For those considering purchasing an Alexa Tablet, it is recommended to act quickly. Doing so will allow users to take advantage of the device's capabilities without being burdened by Amazon's aggressive advertising tactics.

The Alexa Plus assistant, touted as a key feature of the device, falls short of expectations in terms of functionality and usability. Despite its slow performance and tendency to get lost in conversations, it remains the default choice for users, with limited access to apps and data that hinders its effectiveness.

The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro's performance issues are well-documented, but when stripped of its Amazon-centric features, it reveals a capable Android device.

This paradox makes evaluating the tablet challenging, as users must weigh its limitations against its overall value as a reading and streaming device.

While it may not be suitable for heavy use as a primary computer due to the dearth of large-screen Android apps, the tablet excels in specific niches such as reading and streaming content.

In direct comparison, an iPad with 256GB of storage is available at the same $550 price point, offering superior software and app support.