Echo Show 10 vs 2nd Gen: Should You Upgrade? [2024]

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!

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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.

Table could not be displayed.

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Echo Show 2nd Generation

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:

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📚 Related: 13 Best Echo Show Stands

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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.

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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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?

Echo Show 10 Box	Echo Show 2nd Generation Box
Echo Show 10 Power adapter (30W) Cable (5 ft.) Motion footprint template Quick start guide	Echo Show Power adapter (30W) Cable (6 ft.) Quick start guide

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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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• How To Use Echo Show as a Baby Monitor

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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.