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Amazon Fire HD 8 (Plus): Four new tablets with faster processors

Sep 21, 2022

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Amazon updates the Fire HD 8. The 2022 version is thinner, lighter and faster than the 2020 model. There's also a more powerful Fire HD 8 Plus with more RAM and an improved 5 MP rear camera. Both models are also available as a kids' edition with a worry-free guarantee and case.

Fire HD 8 with faster SoC

The new Fire HD 8 still features an 8-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1280×800 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 189 ppi. With the SoC, however, Amazon is switching from a quad-core design to one with six cores, which should result in a performance gain of 30 percent. Like the MediaTek MT8168 in the Fire HD 8 (2020) (test), the new processor also clocks at 2.0 GHz per core. The main memory remains unchanged at 2 gigabytes. The same applies to the internal memory, because Amazon still lets the buyer choose between 32 or 64 GB. Of these, 25.2 and 54.5 gigabytes are available for user content. The memory can also be expanded via a microSD card.

Amazon now promises 13 instead of the previous 12 hours of battery life on one charge. The tablet is charged via USB-C. Amazon supplies a USB-C cable and charger (5 watts). Charging with up to 15 watts is optionally supported, with which the tablet can be fully charged in 2.5 hours.

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Like its predecessor, the tablet is equipped with Wi-Fi 5, i.e. WLAN 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), on the other hand, is not offered. Version 5.2 of Bluetooth supports a newer standard than its predecessor, which still uses Bluetooth 5.0. For audio output, headphones can still be connected via a 3.5 mm jack. A 2 MP camera for 720p video recording is installed on both the front and back.

The new Fire HD 8 weighs 337 grams with dimensions of 201.9 × 137.34 × 9.60 mm. The predecessor weighs in at 202.0 × 137.0 × 9, 70 mm at 355 grams. The slightly thinner and lighter case of the Fire HD 8 should still be durable. According to Amazon, it has proven to be twice as resilient as the iPad mini (2021) in drop tests.

Price and availability

< p class="p text-width">The new Fire HD 8 can be pre-ordered from Amazon starting today from €114.99 in black (32 GB or 64 GB internal memory) and blue (32 GB)*. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in October.

Fire HD 8 Plus with more RAM, better camera and Qi-laden

At 342 grams, the new Fire HD 8 Plus is slightly heavier than the Fire HD 8. Otherwise, it differs in terms of the RAM, which is 3 instead of 2 gigabytes, the main camera, which has a resolution of 5 instead of 2 megapixels, and the support for wireless Charging according to the Qi standard. With the separately available wireless charging dock, the Fire HD 8 Plus can also be used as a smart display in show mode and interact with Alexa hands-free. The tablet also comes with a more powerful 9-watt charger.

Plus is only 20 euros more expensive

The Fire HD 8 Plus is 20 euros more expensive than the Fire HD 8. The Fire HD 8 Plus with 32 GB or 64 GB is available with a nubby gray surface from €134.99* and can also be pre-ordered from today.

Fire HD 8 Kids and Fire HD 8 Kids Pro

Amazon also lists both tablets as kids -Edition up again. The Fire HD 8 Kids is intended for children aged 3 to 7 and includes a year of Amazon Kids+ with access to entertainment and educational content from brands such as Disney, Barbie and Pumuckl. In addition, as usual, it comes with a child-friendly case and a 2-year worry-free guarantee.

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The new Fire HD 8 Kids Pro, on the other hand, is intended for school-age children and is also supplied with a child-friendly case, a 2-year worry-free guarantee and one year of Amazon Kids+.

Parents can set access restrictions and parental controls, set learning incentives, limit screen time and set learning goals on both devices. The Amazon Kids web browser offers filtered access to the Internet, for example for school projects or online learning programs – a built-in filter blocks websites that are not age-appropriate.

Both kids' tablets cost 160 euros

The Fire HD 8 Kids in black with 32 GB internal memory can be pre-ordered starting today for EUR 159.99*. You can choose between blue, violet or red for the child-friendly case. The integrated base also serves as a handle. The Fire HD 8 Kids Pro in black with 32 GB of storage also costs 159.99 euros. The kid-friendly case is available in three designs: video games, rainbow, or teal.

ComputerBase received information about this item from Amazon under an NDA. The only requirement was the earliest possible publication date.

(*) The links marked with an asterisk are affiliate links. In the case of an order via such a link, ComputerBase participates in the sales proceeds without increasing the price for the customer.