Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus tablet, 8” HD Display, 32 GB, 30% faster processor, 3GB RAM, wireless charging, (2022 release), Gray
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AI Verdict
An 8-inch 1280x800 tablet with 3GB RAM and wireless charging, built for Amazon's content ecosystem and basic media consumption.
This tablet is a situational fit, primarily serving as an affordable gateway to Amazon's content ecosystem. Its 3GB RAM and wireless charging offer small upgrades over the base model, but the 1280x800 display and Fire OS limitations mean it's best for specific, undemanding uses.
If you need a sharper display or broader app compatibility, look for tablets with at least 1080p resolution and native Google Play Store access.
Regret Score™
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Amazon rating vs actual quality
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Pros
- Includes wireless charging capability
- Comes with a 9W power adapter
- Offers up to 13 hours of battery life for reading, browsing, and video
- Features a screen made with strengthened aluminosilicate glass, twice as durable as an Apple iPad mini (2021) in tumble tests
- Supports up to 1TB of expandable storage via microSD card
- Provides hands-free Alexa functionality
Cons
- Display resolution is 1280x800 (189ppi), which is not sharp for text or detailed images
- Limited app selection due to Amazon Appstore, with Google Play not officially supported
- Lacks biometric authentication like a fingerprint sensor or facial recognition
- Cameras are basic, with a 2MP front-facing and 5MP rear-facing sensor
- Lock screen displays advertisements unless a fee is paid to remove them
- Performance can be slow and experience stuttering with multiple apps or demanding tasks
Dimension Scores
The 8-inch 1280x800 (189ppi) display is not laminated, resulting in visible pixels and muted colors, and it easily collects fingerprints.
Despite a 30% faster hexa-core processor and 3GB RAM, the tablet is often slow for many apps and experiences stuttering with casual games.
It offers up to 13 hours of use for reading, browsing, and video, with many users reporting several days of charge with typical usage.
The tablet provides deep, seamless integration with Amazon's services like Prime Video, Kindle, and Alexa, but lacks official support for the Google Play Store.
Best For
- Reading ebooks and digital comics
- Streaming Amazon Prime Video, Music, and other supported services
- Casual web browsing and social media (Facebook, TikTok)
- Video calls using apps like Zoom or Alexa's video calling feature
- Children's entertainment and educational content via Amazon Kids
Not Recommended For
- High-performance gaming or graphically intensive applications
- Users who rely heavily on Google Play Store apps and services
- Photography enthusiasts or those needing high-quality video recording
- Productivity tasks requiring fast multitasking or specific desktop-grade applications
Watch Out For
- The tablet is often described as 'slow and full of ads' by users
- Many common apps, like Kobo, are not available in the Amazon Appstore
- Location services can be 'very finicky' and unreliable for some users
- Games stored on an expandable microSD card may experience crashes
- The display lacks an effective oleophobic layer, leading to frequent fingerprint smudges
- No biometric authentication means you're forced to use a PIN for unlocking
What Buyers Say
Many users find the tablet's performance to be a significant bottleneck, with reports of slowness and stuttering even for basic tasks, despite the 30% faster processor claim. The 8-inch 1280x800 display is often described as adequate for casual video but not sharp for text, and its lack of lamination leads to visible pixels and fingerprint smudges. The tablet's deep integration with Amazon's ecosystem is a double-edged sword, offering easy access to Amazon content but severely limiting app choice through its proprietary Appstore, which often requires sideloading for common apps like Google Play services.
“This thing is so slow sometimes it makes me want to throw it across the room, but for watching Prime Video in bed and charging it on that wireless dock, it's fine, I guess. Just don't expect to do anything else fast.”
Common Praise
- Wireless charging capability is a convenient feature
- Battery life extends up to 13 hours, often lasting several days with light use
- The strengthened aluminosilicate glass makes it durable, surviving tumble tests better than an iPad mini (2021)
- Storage is expandable up to 1TB with a microSD card
- Hands-free Alexa integration is useful for smart home control and queries
- It's effective for consuming media within the Amazon ecosystem
Common Complaints
- Performance is frequently reported as slow and laggy for many applications
- The Amazon Appstore has a limited selection, lacking many popular Google Play apps
- The 1280x800 display resolution is low, making text appear fuzzy and images less crisp
- Lock screen advertisements are intrusive and require a fee to remove
- The 2MP front and 5MP rear cameras produce low-quality images and video
- Absence of biometric authentication means relying on a PIN for security
Ownership Tips
- Many users resort to sideloading the Google Play Store to access a wider range of apps
- Games installed on an external microSD card can be prone to crashing
- The screen lacks an oleophobic coating, requiring frequent wiping to remove fingerprints
- Location services can be unreliable, making some apps or features frustrating to use
- The included 9W charger is faster than the standard Fire HD 8's, but still takes about three hours for a full charge
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus support the Google Play Store?
No, it uses Amazon's Appstore, which has a more limited selection. While some users sideload the Google Play Store, it's not officially supported.
Can I expand the storage on this tablet?
Yes, the tablet supports expandable storage up to 1TB via a microSD card.
Is this tablet suitable for gaming?
It's generally suitable for casual games, but it struggles with more demanding 3D games, which may experience stuttering or crashes, especially if stored on an SD card.
Does the Fire HD 8 Plus have wireless charging?
Yes, the 'Plus' model includes wireless charging support, though the charging dock is sold separately.
Are there ads on the tablet?
Yes, the tablet comes with lock screen advertisements, which can be removed for an additional fee.
How durable is the screen?
The screen is made with strengthened aluminosilicate glass and is reportedly twice as durable as an Apple iPad mini (2021) in tumble tests.
Buying Guide
You're looking at a tablet designed as an affordable entry point into Amazon's digital content world. This means you'll get easy access to Prime Video, Kindle books, and Alexa, but you'll trade off raw performance and broad app availability. Expect it to handle basic tasks and media consumption, but don't push it with heavy multitasking or demanding apps.
8” HD Display (1280x800 resolution)
This resolution means the screen isn't as sharp as most modern smartphones or higher-end tablets. Text might appear a bit pixelated, and images won't be super crisp, but it's generally adequate for casual video watching.
3GB RAM
RAM is like the tablet's short-term memory. 3GB is enough to run a few basic apps or stream video without immediate slowdowns, but if you open many apps at once or try to play complex games, the tablet will feel sluggish.
Wireless Charging
This feature lets you charge the tablet by simply placing it on a compatible charging pad (which you buy separately) instead of plugging in a cable. It's about convenience, not necessarily faster charging speeds.
Amazon Appstore
This is where you download apps. It has many popular streaming services and Amazon's own apps, but it doesn't have the full selection of the Google Play Store, so some common Android apps might be missing.
Alternatives
If you need a sharper screen, faster performance for gaming, or full access to the Google Play Store, search for tablets with at least 1080p displays, 4GB RAM or more, and a standard Android operating system.
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