The new Echo Show 16 has a 16-inch full-HD screen, Fire TV built in, a 13-megapixel camera and three home-screen styles: family organizer, smart-home dashboard and photo display. Amazon says the device is nearly 40% thinner than its predecessor and offers a Nanomatte version designed to reduce glare. Preorders start at $499.99, or $569.99 for Nanomatte, with an advertised $100 preorder discount.
For your home, the comparison is not simply which display looks nicer. A dedicated iPad running HomeControl can present the exact Entertainment Area controls you designed. An Echo Show is more integrated with Alexa, Ring and the new Home Map but is less open as a host for a custom Sonos-first application. Its calendar, lighting and camera views are useful design references.
Before considering hardware, draw a list of three essential actions: mute an area, change a music source and see which room is playing. Test whether the proposed screen can accomplish those actions without distracting content. If not, the iPad remains the better dedicated controller.
Compare the $499.99 Echo Show 16 with a wall-mounted iPad for HomeControl before buying; focus on screen readability, custom-app freedom and music controls.