For years, the Fire HD 8 has been one of Amazon’s best-selling tablets and I’m not surprised. It has a handy 8-inch screen and just enough storage (32GB) and RAM (3GB) for most apps and games. The latest model is relatively affordable, at 115 euros.
If you’re looking for a tablet that can play your child’s favorite YouTube videos, control Alexa-enabled devices in your home, or even double as a digital cookbook, then Amazon’s Fire HD 8 is perfect. , in addition to being much cheaper than any iPad.
But if you’re not an Amazon Prime member, the Fire HD 8 Plus – like all other Fire tablets – isn’t necessarily the best buy.
Amazon Fire HD 8 – Best prices:
Amazon84.99
Features
- Processor : MediaTek MT8168
- Screen : 8 inch 1280 x 800 IPS LCD
- RAM: 3 GB
- Storage : 32 GB or 64 GB (up to 1 TB via MicroSD)
- Rear cameras: 2MP
- Front camera: 2MP
- Battery : until 12 noon
- Connectivity: USB-C
- Operating system : Fire OS (Android 11)
- Colors: Grey
Design and construction
Even though the Fire HD 8 wasn’t designed to withstand the boundless energy of kids, it can certainly take a hit or two. Instead of the usual mix of glass and aluminum found on more expensive tablets, the Fire HD 8 features textured plastic and an 8-inch display that scratches more easily than it breaks. .
Image: June Wan/ZDNET.
So you might be surprised to learn that I’m a fan of the plastic design of the Amazon tablet. Today’s consumerism has gotten me so used to fussing over my tech products that being able to use the Fire tablet without having to worry about damaging it feels restful. The model I tested came with a cover that provides an extra layer of protection, but the tablet doesn’t necessarily need it.
The tablet also has an abundance of ports to make it as versatile as possible, including a 3.5mm headphone jack, a USB-C port, and a microSD card slot that can expand the base storage by 32GB (or 64 GB) up to 1TB. If you plan to use the tablet for streaming, browsing and gaming, then the 32GB should be enough. If you want to do more, you may need to add storage.
Image: June Wan/ZDNET.
The screen of the Fire HD 8 is in my opinion “adequate”. It’s not ultra-bright, but it peaks at 400 nits, which is good enough for indoor use. To my surprise, the viewing angles of the 1280 x 800 screen are flawless.
My biggest issue with the screen is the poor quality oleophobic coating. I’ve been testing the tablet for about two weeks now, and the screen is covered in smudges and fingerprints. This problem can easily be solved with a screen protector, but it’s still worrying for a tablet that should last for years.
How does she manage daily tasks?
For 115 euros, the performance of the Fire HD 8 is quite up to par. This year’s model benefits from an extra gigabyte of RAM and, from what I could see, the tablet is more than capable of handling apps like Disney+, Amazon Shopping, Facebook and YouTube. Sure, there might be a slight lag when typing, but if you value a tablet’s large screen more than how quickly it performs its tasks, then you’ll be happy with the Fire HD 8.
I also hope you don’t care too much about photo quality, because the Fire HD 8 Plus has two mediocre 2 MP cameras, one on the front and one on the back. Even in the mildest environments, the sensors crush subjects, causing a whiteout effect. Night shots are even worse.
Image: June Wan/ZDNET.
If we stick to the tools that work well on the tablet, we have to talk about Show mode. The latter turns the 8-inch device into an Echo Show, displaying articles, weather information, the time and even cooking recipes. It’s a smart way to make your tablet convenient even when you’re not using it, much like what Google plans to do with the next Pixel Tablet.
The app dilemma
The Fire HD 8 Plus, like all other Amazon devices running Fire OS, uses a modified version of Android. Which means that the software experience is sometimes too limited, especially regarding the application store.
If you’re a Prime member thriving in Amazon’s ecosystem, then you won’t be short of choices in the virtual store. But for everything else, including YouTube, you will have to go through shortcuts leading to the website. It’s not the end of the world, but the web version of YouTube is still more limited.
Image: June Wan/ZDNET.
We must not forget the feature that allows it to be sold at an unbeatable price: ads on the lock screen. By default, the Fire HD 8 comes with a lock screen with ads. So when you press the power button to put the device to sleep, it displays a carousel of ads for games, apps, and services. It’s not a huge problem in my eyes – and you can totally pay to get rid of it – but it’s still a pain.
Autonomy
The Fire HD 8’s battery life is generous. Amazon estimates the tablet can be used for up to 12 hours, and I got similar results in my two weeks of testing. And this, even while the Show mode was activated, which makes the autonomy all the more impressive.
To charge the tablet, Amazon provides a USB-C cable and the charging brick, the latter often excluded from boxes these days.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a tablet to buy for occasional web browsing, mobile entertainment, or even to give to your child, and your first instinct was to look for it on Amazon, then you’re the customer. ideal for the Fire HD 8.
Priced at $115, the latest model isn’t the cheapest in the Fire lineup, but it’s certainly a compelling option thanks to its efficient screen, build quality and exceptional battery life.
On the negative side, we find the poor quality of the cameras, the lack of applications, as well as the abundance of advertisements if you opt for the cheaper model. If you (or your child) don’t mind these compromises, then Amazon’s latest tablet is a safe bet.
Source: ZDNet.com