The Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet, specifically the 2022 re-release, is an interesting tablet choice offered up by tech and media giants, Amazon. At a price of £129.99 from Amazon for the Fire HD 8 64GB version, we’ll have a deep dive into the features and determine our opinion on whether that’s a fair price, or if you should steer clear.
Alongside that, we also take a look at the Fire HD 8 cover, which is built for the Fire HD 8 tablet.
Design and Display:
First and foremost, the 8-inch HD display provides crisp and vibrant visuals, making it enjoyable for watching movies, browsing the web and reading e-books. The size strikes a good balance between portability and a comfortable viewing experience, making it suitable for both on-the-go use and relaxed at-home sessions.
This specific version of the Amazon Fire HD 8 came in a baby pink colourway, that looks clean and smart, with the matte finish adding a nice bit of quality feel to the overall aesthetic. The Fire HD 8 also felt extremely lightweight, which is a big plus for those who will use the tablet out and about; e-book readers take note!
On the downside, the build quality is satisfactory but not as premium as some higher-end tablets. The plastic construction doesn’t feel as robust, with a slightly childish-like feel to it, which isn’t expected. However, considering the relatively low price point of £129.99, it’s a reasonable trade-off.
Performance:
The Amazon ecosystem integration is one of the strong points when looking at the performance of the Fire HD 8. There is access to the extensive Amazon Appstore, Kindle library, and Prime Video is seamless, making it easy to enjoy a wide range of content. The inclusion of Alexa, Amazon’s virtual assistant, is a nice touch, allowing for convenient voice commands and hands-free control.
The Fire HD 8 runs on Amazon’s Fire OS, a customized version of Android. While it lacks the pure Android experience, the interface is intuitive and user-friendly. The tablet comes preloaded with Amazon apps, and the app library is extensive, providing access to popular applications for productivity, entertainment, and more. The interface is designed for simplicity, making it accessible for users of all ages.
While the Fire HD 8 comes with a modest amount of storage, the inclusion of a microSD card slot allows for easy expansion, accommodating additional apps, photos, and videos. Any microSD card should work with the Fire HD 8, although I recommend looking for ones that are specifically by Amazon, as they will likely avoid any annoying circumstances.
The combination of the HD display and Dolby Atmos speakers enhances the overall entertainment experience. Whether you’re watching movies, listening to music, or playing games, the audio-visual quality adds to the immersion. The landscape mode is well-optimized for media consumption, providing an enjoyable cinematic experience.
Amazon Fire HD 8 Cover:
Partnered beside the Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet is the Amazon Fire HD 8 cover, a sleek grey and black hard plastic cover that allows users to position their tablet landscape or portrait without the need for a makeshift stand.
The case’s back essentially folds in half diagonally, creating a very cool looking stand that I found very easy to set up. The tablet can be popped in and out of the cover with no effort whatsoever, which is lovely to see as some cases can make it a real hassle to even get the tablet into the case in the first place.
The tough plastic felt very strong and able to withstand a drop on most surfaces, although the case didn’t completely wrap around the edges, so you can expect slight damage on the edges of your tablet should you drop it whilst the stand is applied. Despite this, the cover definitely is deserving of praise.
Battery Life:
The battery life is decent, lasting for around 11 or 12 hours on a single charge. This makes it relatively reliable companion for long flights, commutes or days when you need your tablet to last without constantly searching for a power outlet to plug in the provided plug and USB-C power cord.
Amazon claim that the Fire HD 8 produces 13 hours of charge, however I would say it offers one of two hours less of the 13 hours that is suggested. This isn’t really a big deal though, as 11 or 12 hours of charge is enough, although it doesn’t blow me away. The fact that the Fire HD 8 has a USB-C port that most portable chargers can access makes the Fire HD 8 useable long term.
Affordability:
One of the standout features of the Fire HD 8 is its affordability without compromising on performance. At a price point of £129.99 from Amazon, we can expect it to be less powerful or smooth that the Apple competitors.
Nonetheless, the quad-core processor ensures smooth multitasking and apps load quickly, providing a responsive user experience. While it may not match the processing power of more premium tablets, the Fire HD 8 handles everyday tasks with ease.
Users won’t have to worry about having a laggy feel to this tablet, which is sometimes the main criticism of Android-based tablets, although recently, that discourse around Android being slow and laggy is diminishing.
Connectivity:
The Fire HD 8 supports Wi-Fi connectivity and provides a reliable connection for browsing, streaming and downloading content. While it lacks cellular capabilities, the Wi-Fi performance is robust, ensuring a smooth online experience.
Conclusion – Worth It?
In conclusion, the Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet offers an excellent balance of performance, affordability and integration with the extensive Amazon ecosystem. At £129.99 from Amazon, it’s an ideal choice for budget-conscious consumers who prioritize functionality and a reliable user experience.
Whilst Apple offer a higher quality of tablet still, Amazon does a solid job of offering a more entertainment-focused alternative for a cheaper price than most Apple iPad options. If you’re looking for a versatile tablet that won’t break the bank, the Amazon Fire HD 8 is definitely worth considering.
| Product Rating |
Design and Display: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Amazon Fire HD 8 Cover: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Battery Life: 3.5 out of 5.0 stars
Performance: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Value for Money: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Overall ranking: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars – 4.5-star rating
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