REVIEW: Amazon Echo Show 15 1s1d1

The line of connected screens from Amazon received its biggest model (until then), the Echo Show 15. With the proposal to be a central part of the connected house, this model has a design thought to be part of the decoration of the house, with a format that resembles a painting to hang on the wall. O showmetech tested the features of Amazon's largest connected screen, and you will see below what the impressions of this review were, check it out. 6tn2q

Design 145g70

At first glance, the Amazon Echo Show 15 reminiscent of a painting hanging on the wall – and also reminiscent of a smart TV The Frame, Samsung, but in a smaller size, since it has the dimensions of 402 mm x 252 mm. The connected screen has an outer black frame, and an inner white frame (where the camera is housed) that refers to a e-partout (also known as mat here in Brazil), widely used in the composition of framed paintings. And that's Amazon's goal, to have a technological device integrated into the home decor.

On the side edges of the black frame, the Echo Show 15 presents commands that are already known from the line of smart screens from Amazon: Camera opening control, volume keys and microphone lock. Next to the buttons, there are the microphone pickup holes.

On the back, we see the speaker outputs positioned on the sides of the device. There is a square-shaped channel to fit the wall mount bracket (included in the box), as well as four screw holes, which will be used to secure the table mount (purchased separately).

Still at the rear, in the center, there is a recess for connecting the power source – which has a relatively short cable, considering a wall installation position, at eye level. As with the other connected devices on the line Amazon Echo, there is a microUSB port that Amazon does not disclose as usable, however it is speculated that it could be used for an Ethernet-USB adapter.

Screen and camera 1u5e71

O Amazon Echo Show 15 is not named for nothing, as it has a 15,6-inch screen with Full HD resolution (1920×1080 pixels) touch sensitive with glossy coating – unlike the The Frame 2022, which has an anti-glare matte screen coating. This detail must be ed when positioning the smart screen, as the reflection of the lights can interfere with the visualization of content.

The screen orientation is automatically detected whether you are using the Echo Show 15 in vertical or horizontal position. It is important to note that, if you intend to use the device to watch videos on streaming services, it is best to keep the screen horizontally, for maximum use.

The camera, on the other hand, has a sensor with a resolution of 5 MP, and we expected more from a device, since both the Echo Show 10 as the Echo Show 8 already use 13 MP cameras. Of course, this is not a camera with more professional pretensions, but the quality of video calls leaves something to be desired.

As with the other smart screens of the Amazon, Echo Show 15 it also has a slider to physically lock the camera. While this feature works as a guarantee that there are no images being captured indoors, the camera lock ends up preventing one of the most interesting features of the device, which is recognition for personalizing information (we'll talk more below).

Audio and Connectivity 284i1q

if not Echo Show 15 the screen is the highlight, the same cannot be said for the sound system. The smart display comes equipped with two 1,6-inch speakers, i.e. the same set seen in the diminutive Echo Show 5. The speakers have outputs on the sides or above and below, depending on the screen orientation at the time of use.

In everyday use, they are competent to converse with the Alexa, make video calls, listen to a podcast or listen to background music. But don't expect good sound quality at high volume: the songs lack body. The impression that remains is that, due to its thin body, the acoustics were not as well resolved as in the rest of the Echo Show line. If the Echo Show 8 has sound quality comparable to JBL bluetooth speakers, the audio of the Echo Show 15 is comparable to notebook sound system.

As for connectivity, the Echo Show 15 connects to local network with dual-band Wi-Fi 5 with dual antenna (MIMO). Bluetooth allows you to share audio from your smartphone, tablet, notebook or any device that plays music. In addition, it also lets you connect bluetooth speakers to play Echo Show content – ​​a welcome feature to improve sound quality.

Alexa and usability x581o

A Alexa is present and in charge of the Echo Show 15, but the highlight of this model is the interface with widgets, which takes advantage of the large area of ​​the screen showing various useful information. If in smaller models the screen shows information one at a time, now it is possible to see the time, weather forecast, calendar, and other information at the same time that can be customized according to the 's taste.

And speaking of , when I talked about the camera? the processor AZ2 Neural Edge enables the resource VisualID, which uses the camera to recognize the who is using the connected display and provides personalized information. To use the resource, each must , in a process that needs to the face in certain positions. According to Amazon, Visual ID stores the 's biometric identification locally, out of respect for privacy.

And how to use Visual ID? With the camera uncovered, just in front of the Echo Show 15 that you will be automatically identified - a greeting "Good afternoon, So-and-so” will appear at the top of the screen and you will see your personalized information, including even messages left by others in your household.

Widgets are an important evolution for the Echo Show line, however they are few and all of them provided by Amazon itself. There's not much variety either: there's a calendar, notes, shopping list, connected home controls, tips, and a few more. But while there are many possibilities for customizing the position of the widgets, the widgets themselves lack customization, which can disrupt the experience. Two examples: if your calendar is very full, the first three or four appointments on the agenda will be displayed; and if you have many connected devices at home, the widget will only show a part. Ideally, there would be third-party widgets, especially related to Alexa skills.

Speaking of skills, the Spotify is present, has a nice interface, but the experience is very limited. If you're hoping to be able to browse the library and search using the screen, I'm sorry to tell you it won't be this time. You can request a song by voice command to Alexa, or control by smartphone and select the Echo Show as the speaker to output the music (as is done on any device compatible with Alexa), and the interface will only show the currently playing music and some suggestions for related playlists. No library, no search bar. A feather.

As for video streaming services, things get better. The interface of Netflix is similar to what you see on smart TVs, and you can use the screen to select what you want to watch. As we said earlier, if you intend to attend Netflix, Prime Video ou YouTube, install the Echo Show 15 with the screen lying down. Speaking of YouTube, Amazon and Google have not yet provided a native way to watch videos on the platform, so when prompted, the internet browser opens on the YouTube website. It works? Yes, but it could be more functional and well executed.

Video call services are restricted to Skype or Whatsapp and the native resource of Alexa, which connects with other Echo Show devices and the Alexa smartphone app. Until I tested the connection with the Skype or Whatsapp, since we are in 2022, the video call to a smartphone with the Alexa app went well, without delays or cuts, and with good image quality – within the limitations of the camera's 5MP. What is really lacking is compatibility with other most popular video calling platforms, such as Google Meet and Zoom.

table base z1s2k

When buying your Amazon Echo Show 15, know that you can just hang it on the wall, either vertically or horizontally. What if you want to install it on the surface of a piece of furniture, just like all the other Echo devices produced by Amazon?

Well, you can buy a table stand separately. Amazon sent in for testing a tilting stand made by Sanus, which offers up to 27 degrees of tilt vertically (in portrait mode) and 30 degrees horizontally (in landscape mode). With the stand, you will have more flexibility and ease for the installation of the Echo Show, since it is not necessary to drill any wall: just one surface for installation.

One of the uses of the connected display suggested by Amazon is in the kitchen, and the display with the stand works very well in this scenario. You can leave it on the counter to watch videos (series, movies or even recipes) while cooking.

A point of attention in this model is that, once installed, it is not possible to change the orientation of the screen – for this it will be necessary to unscrew the and reinstall it in the desired orientation. If you want that flexibility, Amazon also sells a swivel stand in Brazil, which allows you to easily change the position of the Echo Show 15 between vertical and horizontal.

Conclusion 60664y

O Amazon Echo Show 15 is a beautiful product, meets the expectations of being part of the home decor and brings all the benefits already known of the Echo line, such as full integration with Alexa. Widgets are a nice addition to the connected screen interface, but the Echo Show 8 e Echo Show 10 also received this feature through update.

For those looking for a good-sized screen, which can be used for media consumption - videos and series on Netflix, Prime Video and YouTube -, the Echo Show 15 comes as a great request. However, other Amazon connected screens offer the same functionality, and for the same price you can buy the Echo Show 10, which despite being smaller has a better camera, superior sound and the motorized screen that comes with the .

O Echo Show 15 can be found by R$ 1.899 at Amazon. There you can also find the articulated (R$ 149) and rotating (R$ 199).

Technical Specifications 4n1h3u

Brand	Amazon
Córdoba	Echo Show 15
Size	402 mm x 252 mm x 35 mm
Weight	2.215 g
Fabric	15,6 inches (1920 x 1080 pixels)
Camera	5 MP with built-in cover
Audio	Dual 1,6” full-range drivers
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 5 with dual antenna (MIMO Bluetooth (AD2P / AVR)
Operational system	Fire OS
Virtual Assistant	Alexa
Processor	Amlogic Pop1 octa-core SoC with Amazon AZ2 neural network engine.
Sensor	ALS RGB and accelerometer.
Included in the box	Echo Show 15 Dual Voltage Power Adapter (30W) Wall Mount
Price	R$1.899

See also other features

Looking for a smaller connected screen? See our review of Echo Show 5, from Amazon.