Amazon is introducing significant updates to its Ring devices, including 4K video support and new AI features designed to enhance home security. The update covers several smart home security systems from the brand, including the Ring Wired Doorbell Pro, Outdoor Cam Pro, Spotlight Cam Pro, and Floodlight Cam Pro, with both Wi-Fi and Power-over-Ethernet options.
The headliner here is Retinal Vision 4K, an image processing system that sharpens video, improves low-light clarity, and supports up to 10x zoom, making it easier to identify details like faces or license plates. Until now, Ring devices topped out at 1080p or 2K resolution, so this is a notable leap. For those who don’t need 4K, Amazon is also refreshing its 2K offerings with the Indoor Cam Plus and Wired Doorbell Plus.
Alexa+ steps in, so you don’t have to talk to solicitors
But better video quality is only one part of the update. Amazon is adding a new AI feature called Alexa+ Greetings. With this, Alexa can answer the door for you, handle solicitors, take delivery instructions, and even ask follow-up questions. If a solicitor knocks, Alexa can find out what they want before you get involved, and deliveries can be managed without needing to open the door. Ring is also introducing Familiar Faces, which recognizes regular visitors, such as family or friends. This helps reduce repeated notifications and lets the system alert you only when someone unfamiliar arrives.
Perhaps the most unexpected new tool is Search Party, a community-driven feature to help track down lost pets. Rolling out in November and starting with dogs, Search Party enables Ring owners to report a missing pet directly in the app. Nearby outdoor Ring cameras then use AI to scan for animals matching the description, alerting owners if there’s a possible match. Users can decide whether to share footage or keep it private. Support for cats and other animals is expected later.
Pricing for the new lineup spans a wide range, from around $60 for entry-level devices to $500 or more for top-end 4K models. Preorders are already live, with Alexa+ Greetings and Familiar Faces scheduled to launch later this year. Search Party will arrive in November, and Amazon says additional capabilities will be expanded over time.
Some questions still remain. The most advanced new features rely on AI and cloud services, so a Ring subscription is needed to get the full experience. Privacy concerns are also still present. In the past, Ring has been criticized for how it shares video data with law enforcement. While Amazon has dialed back those practices, trust will be key as these more advanced features roll out.
