New Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet
The New Fire HD 8 Tablet is part of Amazon’s popular Fire tablet lineup, known for offering great value at an affordable price. This latest version comes with several enhancements, including a faster processor, better battery life, and improved display.
Amazon has positioned the Fire HD 8 as a tablet for casual use, ideal for streaming, reading, web browsing, and light productivity tasks. It’s perfect for users who want a device that delivers solid performance without the high price tag of premium tablets.
Key Specifications
- Display: 8-inch HD screen (1280 x 800)
- Processor: Hexa-core 2.0 GHz
- RAM: 2 GB
- Storage: 32 GB or 64 GB (expandable up to 1 TB with microSD)
- Battery Life: Up to 13 hours of mixed-use
- Operating System: Fire OS 8
- Front/Rear Cameras: 2 MP each
- Charging: USB-C with faster charging
These specs make the Fire HD 8 a well-balanced tablet for entertainment, light gaming, and basic productivity.
Design and Build Quality
Compact and Lightweight
The New Fire HD 8 is designed to be both compact and lightweight, making it highly portable and easy to carry around. It weighs just under 12 ounces, so it’s perfect for slipping into a bag or holding for extended periods without straining your hands. Its size is ideal for reading, streaming, or casual browsing on the go.
Durable Construction
Amazon has ensured that the Fire HD 8 is tough enough to withstand daily use. It’s made from recycled plastic, contributing to its durability while also being eco-friendly. The textured back provides a good grip, reducing the chances of accidental slips. While it’s not built for rugged use, the tablet can handle a few bumps and knocks, especially when paired with a protective case.
Color Options
The Fire HD 8 comes in a variety of colors, including Black, Denim, and Rose. This allows you to choose a finish that suits your style, whether you prefer a classic, understated look or something more colorful and vibrant.
Display Quality
8-Inch HD Display
The Fire HD 8 features an 8-inch display with a resolution of 1280 x 800, providing a sharp and clear image quality for everyday use. It’s an HD screen, which means it delivers solid visuals for streaming, reading, and gaming, although it doesn’t reach the higher resolutions found in more expensive tablets.
Good for Streaming and Reading
The size and quality of the display make it perfect for streaming shows on Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, or YouTube. Colors are vibrant enough for enjoyable viewing, and the screen brightness can be adjusted easily to accommodate different lighting conditions. It’s also great for reading eBooks on the Kindle app, offering enough clarity for comfortable long-term reading without too much eye strain.
Adaptive Display
The adaptive brightness feature adjusts the screen’s brightness based on ambient lighting conditions, which is a useful addition for people who use the tablet in different environments. Whether you’re indoors or outdoors, the screen remains easily visible.
Performance and Speed
Hexa-Core Processor
The New Fire HD 8 is powered by a hexa-core 2.0 GHz processor, which is an upgrade from the previous generation’s quad-core processor. This improvement allows for smoother multitasking, faster app launches, and better overall performance, making it a solid choice for users who need a tablet for day-to-day tasks without lag.
2 GB of RAM
While 2 GB of RAM isn’t much compared to premium tablets, it’s sufficient for most of the tasks you’d use the Fire HD 8 for, such as web browsing, streaming, and running light apps. For heavier tasks like intensive gaming or video editing, you might experience some limitations, but for general use, the tablet performs well.
Fire OS 8
The Fire OS 8 is Amazon’s custom operating system built on Android. It’s designed to integrate seamlessly with Amazon’s ecosystem, giving you easy access to Amazon apps, such as Kindle, Prime Video, and Audible. Fire OS is user-friendly and simple to navigate, making it a good option for users of all ages. However, keep in mind that the Google Play Store is not available natively, so you’ll primarily be using Amazon’s Appstore for downloading apps.
Storage and Expandability
Internal Storage Options
The Fire HD 8 comes in two storage options: 32 GB and 64 GB. While this might seem modest compared to other tablets, it’s enough for users who mainly stream content or read eBooks. However, if you plan on downloading a lot of apps, music, or videos for offline viewing, you may need more storage.
Expandable Storage
One of the best features of the Fire HD 8 is its expandable storage. It supports microSD cards up to 1 TB, which provides plenty of room for storing large media files, games, and apps. This makes the Fire HD 8 a flexible device that can grow with your needs without requiring you to buy a new tablet.
Battery Life and Charging
Up to 13 Hours of Battery Life
One of the standout features of the Fire HD 8 is its excellent battery life. Amazon claims that the tablet can last up to 13 hours of mixed-use, including web browsing, watching videos, and reading. In real-world usage, this means you can easily get through a day of moderate use without needing to recharge.
USB-C Charging
The tablet charges via USB-C, which is a welcome upgrade from the older micro-USB standard. USB-C offers faster charging times, and since it’s now the standard across many devices, it’s convenient for users who already have USB-C chargers for other gadgets. The Fire HD 8 takes around 5 hours to fully charge with the included 5W adapter, but you can reduce this time by using a faster charger.
Cameras and Audio
2 MP Front and Rear Cameras
The Fire HD 8 features a 2 MP camera on both the front and back. These cameras are not designed for high-quality photography but are perfectly adequate for casual snapshots, video calls, and scanning documents. They may not be as impressive as the cameras on high-end tablets or smartphones, but they get the job done for basic use.
Dolby Atmos Audio
The tablet comes with Dolby Atmos audio support, delivering clearer and more immersive sound when watching movies or listening to music. The dual speakers offer decent sound quality for a budget device, making it suitable for personal entertainment. While the speakers won’t replace a dedicated sound system, they’re more than capable for casual viewing and listening.
Entertainment and Content Consumption
Amazon Ecosystem
The Fire HD 8 is heavily integrated with Amazon’s ecosystem, making it ideal for users who are already subscribed to services like Amazon Prime, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible. You can stream shows and movies from Prime Video, access a vast library of eBooks on Kindle, and listen to audiobooks on Audible with ease.
Streaming Capabilities
Thanks to the HD display and Dolby Atmos support, the Fire HD 8 is an excellent device for streaming content. Whether you’re watching Netflix, Disney+, or YouTube, the tablet delivers a smooth experience with crisp visuals and decent sound quality.
Gaming on Fire HD 8
While the Fire HD 8 is not a dedicated gaming tablet, it can handle light games quite well. Titles available on the Amazon Appstore, such as Candy Crush or Asphalt 8, run smoothly without any significant lag. However, more graphics-intensive games may not perform as well due to the tablet’s modest RAM and processing power.
Productivity Features
Alexa Integration
One of the highlights of the Fire HD 8 is its deep integration with Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant. You can use Alexa to control smart home devices, set reminders, ask questions, and even open apps hands-free. With Show Mode, the Fire HD 8 can function like an Echo Show, displaying visual content alongside Alexa’s responses, making it a useful tool for multitasking in the kitchen, bedroom, or office.
Microsoft Office and Email Apps
The Fire HD 8 supports popular productivity apps like Microsoft Office and Outlook, making it a viable option for light work tasks. You can view and edit documents, manage your calendar, and respond to emails without needing a full-sized computer. However, it’s not designed for heavy-duty productivity, so users who need to work with complex spreadsheets or extensive video editing may want to consider a more powerful device.
Split-Screen Mode
Fire OS supports split-screen mode, allowing you to use two apps simultaneously. This is useful for multitasking, such as watching a video while browsing the web or reading a recipe while taking notes. Although the screen size is relatively small, the feature works well for basic tasks.
Who Should Buy the New Amazon Fire HD 8?
The New Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet is designed for users looking for an affordable, versatile tablet that excels at entertainment, light productivity, and staying connected. Here’s a breakdown of who will benefit most from this tablet:
Casual Users
If you’re someone who uses a tablet primarily for streaming, reading, web browsing, and light gaming, the Fire HD 8 is an excellent choice. It’s affordable, durable, and provides all the essential features you need without the high cost of premium tablets.
Amazon Prime Members
For users who are deeply integrated into Amazon’s ecosystem, the Fire HD 8 offers seamless access to Prime Video, Kindle, Audible, and other Amazon services. If you’re already a Prime member, the Fire HD 8 enhances your experience by putting all your content in one convenient place.
Budget-Conscious Shoppers
The Fire HD 8 is one of the most affordable tablets on the market, making it a great choice for those who don’t want to spend a lot of money on a tablet but still want a device with solid performance. It’s particularly appealing for families, as it’s budget-friendly enough to buy multiple devices for different members.
