For many Alexa users, the past couple of weeks have come with an unexpected surprise. Without asking, Amazon has started upgrading some Echo devices to Alexa Plus, a newer, AI-powered version of its voice assistant. The change has mostly been spotted by users on Reddit, particularly in the r/alexa community, where people say the update arrived automatically as part of their Prime membership.
According to a report by The Verge, Amazon tells customers that once their device updates, they are moved to Alexa Plus by default. There is a way to go back, though. Users can switch to the older version simply by saying, “Alexa, exit Alexa+.” What you cannot do, at least for now, is stop the upgrade from happening in the first place.
Alexa Plus is Amazon’s attempt to give Alexa a major AI makeover. It runs on large language models, which means it is supposed to sound more natural, understand context better, and handle more detailed conversations. This is also Amazon’s way of keeping pace with rivals, especially as Google pushes its Gemini AI into Google Home devices.
But the reaction from users has been mixed, and in many cases, openly negative. Several Reddit users say Alexa Plus feels slower than the original version. Simple commands now take longer to process, which can be annoying when you just want to turn off a light or set a quick timer. Others say they dislike the new voice and tone, describing it as oddly opinionated or less friendly than before.
Advertising has also become a sore point. Some users claim they started seeing more messages and prompts promoting Alexa Plus after the update. One person even said that after switching back to the old Alexa, they were bombarded with ads encouraging them to turn Alexa Plus on again. For Prime members who already pay for a subscription, this has not gone down well.
To be fair, Amazon is not the only company struggling with AI upgrades in the smart home. Google’s Gemini rollout has faced its own criticism, with reports of incorrect object detection and made-up activity alerts. These problems highlight a broader issue with bringing advanced AI into everyday devices. What looks impressive in demos does not always translate into a smooth daily experience.
For now, Alexa users are left with a compromise. You cannot avoid the automatic upgrade, but you can undo it after the fact. The bigger question is whether companies like Amazon can convince users that smarter AI is actually better, especially when many people just want their voice assistant to be quick, quiet, and dependable.
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