Amazon has announced the all-new Echo Show 8, a second-generation model with a highly improved camera for all video calls

Ever since the original Echo Show 8 launched, we've considered it one of the best Alexa speakers with a display Unlike the towering Echo Show 10 (3rd generation), the $129 Show 8 is a compact and versatile smart home device

In addition, the refreshed Echo Show 8 adopts some of the key elements of the Echo Show 10, including a 13-megapixel camera for video chat and pan and zoom that always keeps you in the frame

So what else is new? From pricing and availability to differences from the previous model, here's everything you need to know about the new Echo Show 8

According to the product page on Amazon's website, the new Echo Show 8 will be available on June 9, 2021 The smart display is available for pre-order now and will likely ship early next month Of course, the ship date is subject to change depending on pre-order quantities and Amazon's availability at launch

Amazon typically unveils new smart displays at its annual event in September, but the company may have wanted to make the Echo Show 8 available on Amazon Prime Day 2021 The dates for Prime Day have not yet been revealed, but the two-day sales event typically takes place in the summer

The new Amazon Echo Show 8 will be priced at $129, which is the same price the original Echo Show 8 cost when it debuted On Prime Day, expect to see some of the best Amazon deals of the year, including discounts on the newest Echo Show 8

Even without the sale, the Echo Show 8 is more affordable than the $249 Echo Show 10, but a bit pricier than the $99 Google Nest Hub (2nd generation) that debuted earlier this year Google's latest smart display is not only one of the best smart speakers available, it also has decent sleep-sensing capabilities

The camera upgrade on the new Amazon Echo Show 8 appears to have been designed with the video chat era in mind The overall appearance of the smart display is almost identical, clad in a fabric-covered exterior, but the placement of the camera is visibly different

Instead of the subtle 1-megapixel camera of the original Echo Show 8, the new model has a 13-megapixel camera housed in a larger square component This is the same quality as the Echo Show 10's camera

The new Echo Show 8 also features the pan and zoom functionality of the Show 10 While the display cannot be rotated to fit within the frame, the new wide-angle lens can center you, much like the Google Nest Hub Max or Facebook Portal The Center Stage on the new iPad Pro uses similar tracking technology for video calls

Amazon's Smart Display works with Zoom, Skype, and some of the best video chat apps Hands-free video chat is one of the best Alexa skills for keeping in touch with loved ones Amazon has also added animations and AR effects during the call to spice up the call

There is not much else new in the second-generation Amazon Echo Show 8 compared to the original model: the 8-inch display with 1280 x 800 resolution and dual 2-inch speakers remain the same

We thought the original Show 8 sounded great for its size, so we expect similar performance when testing the new version However, there are better sounding smart speakers out there The Sonos One is our favorite in terms of sound quality, but it costs $199 and has no display

The Echo Show 8 can be used for in-home communication when not being used to control music It can also integrate with the best Alexa-enabled devices to provide a visual dashboard for a system of smart home products Devices can be managed individually or assigned to Alexa routines for advanced home automation

As for privacy, the Echo Show 8 has a physical camera shutter and microphone mute button The Alexa app also allows users to manage recording history and assistant settings

While the Amazon Echo Show 8 may not have needed a refresh, at the same price as the original model, the second-generation camera upgrade is certainly a welcome one Even if the days of needing video chat to stay in constant contact are coming to an end, many people still work and learn from home

We won't know how this new smart display feels compared to the original and whether the improvements make it more attractive than the Google Nest Hub until we try it out I also wonder if the larger options are still appealing, as Show 8 seems to have stolen enough from Show 10

Either way, we'll probably hold off on pre-orders until closer to Prime Day That's when the first Amazon Echo Show 8 deals are likely to arrive More details on when the sales event will take place are expected to emerge in the coming days