The New Amazon Photos Explained: Pricing, Features, & Prime Value
Fat Kid Dealsabout 2 hours ago10 min read
Amazon Photos just got a memories-first redesign, and that matters if you already pay for Prime. The big question is: can it replace another cloud-storage bill without making you give up the stuff you actually want, like full-resolution photo backup and easy family access?
Short answer: for a lot of Prime members, yes, especially if most of your library is photos and not a mountain of video. The catch is still the same one that trips people up: Prime includes unlimited photo storage, but only 5 GB of video storage.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon refreshed Amazon Photos on May 5, 2026 with a memories-first mobile design, a curated carousel, easier On This Day access, and natural-language search for Prime members.
- In the U.S., Prime members get the strongest deal: unlimited full-resolution photo storage plus 5 GB of video storage.
- Non-Prime Amazon customers only get 5 GB of combined photo and video storage, so the free tier is best as a light backup.
- As of July 7, 2026, Amazon's main monthly paid storage plans start at $0.99 for 50 GB and reach $11.99 for 2 TB.
- The best value is usually for Prime members who want to cut a separate photo-storage bill.
- The biggest catch is video. If you back up lots of clips, the included 5 GB disappears quickly.
What’s new in the Amazon Photos redesign
Amazon Photos now puts memories front and center instead of acting like a plain storage bin. The new home screen highlights curated moments, so the app feels more like a photo timeline and less like a backup folder.
The new memories carousel
The carousel surfaces memories you might actually want to see again, which is a nice fix if your library has thousands of shots buried in a scroll fest. That matters because most people don't want to hunt for the one good birthday photo from three years ago.
On This Day and natural-language search
On This Day is easier to reach, and Prime members can use natural-language search to describe what they're looking for instead of guessing the exact date or album name. Think prompts like beach sunset last summer, dog at the park, or kids playing in the snow.
That's the biggest practical change, because a storage app only feels useful if you can find your photos again. If you can't surface the memory quickly, the backup isn't doing much for you.
The rollout caveat for iPhone vs Android
When Amazon announced the refresh on May 5, 2026, it said the new experience was live on iOS first and coming to Android later. So if you're on Android, check the app itself instead of assuming every new screen already matches the iPhone version.
Is Amazon Photos free with Prime?
Yes, in the U.S., Amazon Photos is included with Prime, and that's the whole reason a lot of budget-minded shoppers should care. You get unlimited full-resolution photo storage plus 5 GB of video storage without paying another cloud bill just for your camera roll.
What Prime members get
Prime members can back up photos at full resolution, which means Amazon keeps the original quality instead of shrinking your files. That's the part that saves you from the annoying tradeoff of free storage that looks fine until you zoom in.
If you already pay for Prime, Amazon Photos can feel like a hidden win you were already funding. If your household mostly shoots still photos, that's a real value bump.
What non-Prime users get
Non-Prime Amazon customers get 5 GB of combined photo and video storage. That's enough for a very light backup, but it's nowhere near enough for a family library or a long-term phone replacement strategy.
In other words, the free non-Prime tier is fine if you just want a safety net. It's not the version you want if your phone is basically your photo archive.
Amazon Photos pricing and storage plans
If you run past the included storage, Amazon sells paid upgrades that stay pretty simple. As of July 7, 2026, Amazon's main monthly tiers are 50 GB for $0.99, 100 GB for $1.99, 1 TB for $6.99, and 2 TB for $11.99.
Amazon's iOS app also surfaces at least one extra in-app option beyond those standard monthly tiers, so it's smart to check the current menu before you buy. If you want to double-check the latest storage tiers and device support, use Amazon's Amazon Photos page.
When 5 GB of video storage stops being enough
The 5 GB video cap is the big gotcha because video files get big fast. A few short 4K clips can chew through the included allotment, especially if you film kids, pets, travel, or holiday stuff the way normal humans do.
That's why Amazon Photos is usually strongest as a photo-first backup service. If your library is mostly still shots with only the occasional clip, Prime's included storage can go a long way before you need to pay extra.
If you want more room without jumping straight to the biggest plan, the smaller paid tiers are a reasonable step-up. If your phone constantly records video, though, the math starts to look a lot less magical.
The real budget angle — can Amazon Photos replace another storage subscription?
For many Prime members, yes, Amazon Photos can replace a second subscription, but only if your needs line up with the limits. The key is comparing what you're paying now against what Amazon already gives you through Prime.
The cleanest way to think about it's this: Amazon Photos is a photo-first value play, not a universal cloud-storage king. If you care most about full-resolution photo backup and you already pay for Prime, it's hard to ignore.
| Service | Starting price in the U.S. | Included storage | Best for | Main catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Photos | Included with Prime; as of July 7, 2026, paid monthly plans start at $0.99 | Unlimited photos for Prime, 5 GB video; 5 GB combined for non-Prime | Prime members who want photo backup without another bill | Video storage fills up fast |
| Google Photos / Google One | As of July 7, 2026, Google One Basic starts at $1.99/month for 100 GB | Up to 15 GB free across Google Photos, Drive, and Gmail, or 100 GB on the entry paid plan | Android and Google users who want extra room and ecosystem fit | Still a separate subscription if Prime already covers your photo backup |
| iCloud+ | As of July 7, 2026, iCloud+ starts at $0.99/month for 50 GB | 5 GB free on iCloud, or 50 GB on the entry iCloud+ plan | Apple users who live in iPhone, iPad, and Mac land | Best fit if you want Apple-first convenience, not Prime-based savings |
Those are entry-level U.S. prices as of July 7, 2026, and they can change. Recheck the current Google One plans and iCloud+ pricing before you switch.
Amazon Photos vs Google Photos
Amazon Photos can absolutely replace Google Photos for some people, especially Prime members who mainly want backup, search, and sharing without an extra monthly charge. If you were only paying for Google storage because your photos were piling up, Prime already changes the math.
But Google's ecosystem still has a leg up for some Android users, and Google gives every account up to 15 GB of shared storage before you pay. If you shoot lots of video or live inside Google's apps, Amazon Photos has to work harder to earn the switch.
Amazon Photos vs iCloud+
Amazon Photos is the better pure value play if you already pay for Prime and mostly want photo backup. iCloud+ makes more sense if you're deep in Apple land and want the simplest possible fit across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
The tricky part is that iCloud+ still starts cheap, so the price gap isn't always huge at the low end. The bigger difference is where the service fits, not just the sticker price.
Best fit for photo-heavy users vs video-heavy users
Amazon Photos is best for photo-heavy households, while Google One and iCloud+ are often easier picks for video-heavy users. That's because the Amazon deal shines when unlimited photos do the heavy lifting and the 5 GB video cap doesn't get in your way.
If you mainly shoot screenshots, school photos, receipts, and regular camera pics, Amazon Photos is a strong keeper. If your camera roll is basically a mini film studio, you'll probably end up paying for more storage somewhere, and that somewhere might not be Amazon.
How Amazon Photos works on Echo Show, Fire TV, and Alexa
Amazon Photos isn't just for your phone. It also works with Echo Show and Fire TV, so you can turn a smart display or TV into a rotating picture frame without extra effort.
That's useful in a real home, not just on a spec sheet. You can use Alexa voice commands to pull up specific photos, memories, or places, and you can customize Fire TV screensavers and Echo Show photo displays with family and travel shots.
For shoppers who already use Amazon devices, this is one of the biggest quality-of-life perks. It makes the service feel more like part of your house and less like another app you forgot to open.
How sharing, albums, prints, and photo gifts work
Amazon Photos is handy because it doesn't stop at backup. You can make albums, share full-resolution photos or videos, and turn favorite shots into prints, photo books, wall décor, and custom gifts.
That last piece matters more than people think. A cloud library is nice, but getting a few standout shots off your phone and into the real world is a better use of your memories than letting them sit in a forgotten folder forever.
Sharing is also straightforward, which helps if you're trying to coordinate with family, grandparents, or anyone who never remembers to save the group-chat version of a picture. The app gives you enough flexibility to share a lot without turning every album into a mess.
Amazon Family rules that matter for photo sharing
Amazon Family is the part that makes photo sharing more useful for households. For many Prime benefits like shopping and delivery, the setup still centers on one additional adult and up to four children.
Amazon Photos is broader. Amazon Family can share Amazon Photos storage with up to five additional adults, and each person keeps a private account that they can access from their own devices.
Shared groups are a separate feature. Those let you send albums or full-resolution photos and videos to up to 50 others at once.
If you want to review the current setup before inviting people, Amazon's Amazon Family page is worth a quick look.
Who should use Amazon Photos — and who should skip it
Amazon Photos is a great pick if you're already a Prime member, want a simple backup for full-resolution photos, and don't want another monthly bill. It also makes sense if you like the idea of seeing memories on Echo Show or Fire TV around the house.
It's a weaker choice if your library is heavy on video, if you don't have Prime, or if you want the tightest possible fit with Apple or Google services. In those cases, the extra convenience of another ecosystem can beat the theoretical savings.
Skip it if...
- You shoot a lot of 4K video and want storage that grows with you.
- You don't have Prime and only need the free tier for real backup.
- You rely on Apple or Google features that feel better inside those ecosystems.
- You want one service that handles every file type without thinking about the 5 GB video ceiling.
Keep it if...
- You already pay for Prime and want to squeeze more value out of it.
- Your library is mostly still photos, not huge video clips.
- You like easy sharing, smart displays, and a phone-to-TV photo loop.
- You'd rather replace a separate photo-storage bill than add another app to your monthly budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amazon Photos free with Prime?
Yes. In the U.S., Prime members get unlimited full-resolution photo storage plus 5 GB of video storage, while non-Prime Amazon customers get 5 GB of combined photo and video storage.
What’s new in the Amazon Photos redesign?
Amazon's May 5, 2026 refresh added a memories-first mobile home screen with a curated carousel, easier access to On This Day, and natural-language search for Prime members. Amazon's launch announcement said the update started on iOS first, with Android to follow.
How much does extra Amazon Photos storage cost?
As of July 7, 2026, Amazon's main monthly upgrade tiers are 50 GB for $0.99, 100 GB for $1.99, 1 TB for $6.99, and 2 TB for $11.99. Those upgrades matter most for video-heavy users because Prime's included 5 GB video allotment runs out fast.
Can Amazon Photos replace Google Photos or iCloud+?
For many Prime members, yes, especially if the main goal is full-resolution photo backup without paying another photo-storage bill. But as of July 7, 2026, Google One Basic starts at $1.99/month for 100 GB and iCloud+ starts at $0.99/month for 50 GB, so shoppers who need lots of video storage or tighter Apple or Google integration may still prefer those ecosystems.
Can you show Amazon Photos on Echo Show or Fire TV?
Yes. Amazon Photos works with Echo Show and Fire TV, and Alexa can help pull up specific photos, memories, or places on supported devices.
Can you share Amazon Photos with family?
Yes. Amazon Family can share Amazon Photos storage with up to five additional adults, and Amazon Photos shared groups can send full-resolution photos, videos, or albums to up to 50 others at once.
Do you need full-price Prime to make Amazon Photos worthwhile?
Not necessarily. As of July 7, 2026, standard Prime costs $14.99/month or $139/year in the U.S., but Amazon also offers Prime for Young Adults at $7.49/month or $69/year after a six-month trial, plus Prime Access at $6.99/month after a 30-day trial for eligible shoppers.
