Top 5 Benefits of the Amazon Echo 4th Gen You Shouldn’t Miss
A Bold New Design
The most noticeable change is the new spherical design. It’s a big departure from previous models, and it’s definitely polarizing – some people love it, others don't. It’s a clean look, but let’s be honest, it looks like a ball. This new shape is 5.7 inches wide and 5.2 inches tall, compared to the 3rd gen Echo which was 3.9 inches wide and 5.8 inches tall. The build is solid with a heavy-duty plastic and mesh fabric. The buttons are on the back, which keeps the look clean but might be less convenient. The light ring is now at the base, which Amazon says makes it more visible when placed on a surface, though it might be harder to see in bright rooms.
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Upgraded Internals
This new Echo features Amazon's first custom processor, the AZ1, designed to speed up machine learning. While the full benefits of this processor, especially with a new neural speech recognition model, will be seen later this year, it’s built to make Alexa more responsive. The AZ1 also allows some tasks to be processed directly on the device, rather than sending data to the cloud and back.Key Takeaways
- New Design: Spherical shape, polarizing but potentially better for sound.
- AZ1 Processor: Custom chip for faster, on-device processing.
- Built-in Hub: Integrates Zigbee, BLE, and Sidewalk for smart home control.
- Improved Sound: Front-firing speakers, spatial audio, and Dolby processing.
- Low Power Mode: Focus on energy efficiency and sustainability.
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The Integrated Smart Home Hub
For the first time, the Echo includes a built-in Zigbee hub. Previously, you’d need an Echo Plus for this feature. This means you can directly pair Zigbee devices like motion or door sensors. You can also connect devices using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), a low-power option for devices like smart bulbs. A significant addition is the Sidewalk bridge, a new protocol using a 900 MHz spectrum for low-bandwidth, low-power devices that can connect from up to half a mile away. This could be key for connecting devices across neighborhoods.Sound That Fills the Room
The redesign includes front-firing speakers for the first time, featuring 2.8-inch tweeters and a 3-inch woofer. Amazon states the new shape improves speaker placement and sound projection for better stereo and spatial audio. It offers clearer highs, dynamic mids, and deep bass, sounding great for its $99 price point. It even includes spatial audio that tunes music to your room's acoustics. There’s a 3.5mm jack for input or output, and it supports Bluetooth streaming. Comparing it to the 3rd gen Echo, the new model offers more noticeable bass and crisper highs, providing a fuller sound experience.Focus on Sustainability
Amazon is also introducing a low power mode to reduce the Echo's energy consumption when idle. They are committed to improving their carbon footprint, using 100% post-consumer recycled fabric, 100% recycled die-cast aluminum, and 50% post-consumer recycled plastics. Amazon is even building solar farms to offset the power used by these devices, which is a pretty big commitment to sustainability.Where to Buy the Echo 4th Gen
Interested in trying the Amazon Echo 4th Generation for yourself?
🛒 Buy the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) on Amazon
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Overall, the new Echo 4th generation is a solid update, especially with its improved sound and the integrated smart home hub. While the spherical design might not be for everyone, the performance and features make it a compelling choice. If you're looking for a great speaker for music or a central hub for your smart home, this is definitely worth considering.
FAQ’s
The Echo 4th Gen introduces a spherical design, a custom AZ1 processor, improved sound with spatial audio, and a built-in Zigbee smart home hub — all wrapped in sustainable materials.
Yes. The Echo 4th Gen offers stronger bass, clearer highs, a faster Alexa response thanks to the AZ1 chip, and direct smart home device pairing — upgrades not available in the 3rd Gen.
It features a 3-inch woofer and 2.8-inch tweeters, delivering room-filling sound with enhanced bass and Dolby audio. The front-firing speakers improve stereo projection and spatial audio.
Yes, it has a built-in Zigbee, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and Amazon Sidewalk hub — allowing direct pairing with devices like smart bulbs, motion sensors, and door locks.
The AZ1 Neural Edge chip is Amazon’s custom processor that speeds up Alexa’s responses by handling speech processing on the device instead of the cloud.
Yes, it supports Bluetooth streaming and includes a 3.5mm audio jack for both input and output, making it flexible for different speaker setups.
Absolutely. It runs in low-power mode when idle and is made with recycled aluminum, fabric, and plastics. Amazon also offsets its energy use with solar farms.
