Amazon’s Echo speakers are really popular among consumers. Recently, Amazon introduced 4th Gen models with a completely new design and other improvements. It also claims better music. I already had the 3rd Gen Echo Dot but ordered this one to see how much improvement the new model brings. Based on the experiences I had with the speaker, here is my review of Amazon Echo Dot 4th Gen.
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Amazon Echo Dot 4th Gen Review
The 4th gen Echo Dot comes with a new spherical design. This was the primary reason why the new Echo Dot caught my attention. So, the new Echo Dot is bigger than the previous generation Echo dot. Now it is more like a device to flaunt. This new beautiful Echo Dot can match your home decor. It is a 3.9-inch fabric covered sphere with a flat plastic base. The flat base helps it in being stable on a plane surface.
On the top, there are four physical buttons for volume up, volume down, activating Alexa, and turning the mic off. Buttons peep out from the fabric and their shape kits you feel each button differently even when you are not looking at them. At one side of the flat base, it also includes a 3.5mm line in/out jack and charging port. If you have a high-end sound system, you can connect it with this Echo Dot to control via Echo using voice commands.
The blue light ring has moved from the top to the bottom side. If the surface where Alexa is restive is reflective, the LED’s reflection looks really cool. Like on other Alexa speakers, LEDs will change color based on the status of the speaker. It changes colors depending on your actions like blue when it is listening to you, red when it is muted, and animated increasing or decreasing circle while adjusting the volume.
The 4th Gen Echo dot looks better than the previous-gen Echo Dot. It’s available in three colors: Charcoal, Glacier White, and Twilight Blue. Obviously, the color should be a personal choice. Amazon also claims that it is also built with 100% recycled fabric, aluminum, and plastic.
The setup is really simple. Just used the Alexa app on your phone for setup and the app will guide you. The successor comes with Amazon’s first-generation AZ1 Neural Edge processor for improved machine learning applications and faster response.
If I talk about sound quality, it feels slightly better than the 3rd Gen model. In most cases, you won’t feel much difference. The new model has the same driver rated for exactly the same power but offers slightly better soundstage and improved bass. It is sound enough for music, radio, podcasts, talk shows, and general Alexa replies. You can boost the sound by pairing it with a second Dot as a stereo pair. Music listening experience is also good, but certainly, this speaker isn’t for audiophiles. If you are thinking to get it primarily for music, you should look elsewhere. Alexa app lets you link the speaker with several music apps like Hungama Music, Amazon Music, Gaana, and more.
It has 4 microphones to properly pick up your voice. The speaker could easily listen to me even from a distance.
It comes with Alexa capabilities, so you can ask it to play music, play news, get weather information, ask general knowledge questions, ask it to do mathematical calculations, make a to-do list, set alarm, and control other smart home products. Everything works the same as in the previous generation Echo devices. Even if Amazon claims faster processing and response, I did;t feel much difference.
The speaker also features a “tap to snooze” gesture that lets you tap the top of the speaker with more than one finger to snooze an alarm for the next 9 minutes.
The 4th generation Echo Dot is an impressive budget inexpensive smart speaker with good sound quality. This spherical shape looks good. It is obviously better than the 3rd Gen Echo Dot, but not much. So, there’s no point in upgrading until you badly want the new one for this spherical design. If you are looking to buy one, I always recommend the latest model. But, the 3rd Gen Echo Dot is cheaper and you can save Rs. 1000 without compromising much.
