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Fire HD 8 Tablet with Alexa, 8" HD Display, 16 GB, Black - with Special Offers (Previous Generation – 7th)

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 25,367 ratings

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The ad-supported option (also known as Special Offers or Lockscreen Ads) displays sponsored screensavers on your device's lockscreen. Learn more
  • Up to 12 hours of battery life, a vibrant 8" HD display, a 1.3 GHz quad-core processor, 1.5 GB of RAM, and Dolby Audio. More durable than the latest iPad.
  • 16 or 32 GB of internal storage and a microSD slot for up to 256 GB of expandable storage
  • Just ask Alexa for quick access to the information and entertainment you want. Ask questions, play music, check your calendar, get the news, weather, and more.
  • Ask Alexa to call or message almost anyone, or make video calls to family and friends with a Fire tablet, Echo Spot, Echo Show, or the Alexa App. Instantly connect to enabled Echo devices.
  • Enjoy millions of movies, TV shows, songs, Kindle eBooks, apps and games - including Netflix, Facebook, HBO, Spotify, and more
  • Prime members get unlimited access to over a thousand books and magazines, millions of songs, and thousands of movies and TV episodes - at no additional cost
  • Watch downloaded videos anywhere with a Prime membership, Netflix plan, or Showtime subscription
Engineered by Amazon

Fast and responsive

Enjoy your entertainment with a fast 1.3 GHz quad-core processor. Fire HD 8 offers 50% more RAM than Fire 7 for faster performance.

No more worrying about storage space

With 2x more internal storage than Fire 7, Fire HD 8 comes standard with 16 GB. Expand your tablet’s storage by up to 256 GB using a microSD card, and keep photos, movies, and compatible games and apps with you. Plus enjoy free unlimited cloud storage for all your Amazon content and photos taken with your Fire tablet.

Capture life's moments

Fire HD 8 features a 2 MP rear-facing camera for taking photos or shooting 720p video. The front-facing VGA camera is perfect for Skype calls with friends and family.

Vibrant HD display

Fire HD 8 features a 1280 x 800 high-definition display with over a million pixels (189 ppi) and a bright, vivid picture. Enjoy movies and games in a crisp, clear HD resolution, with less glare and more brightness thanks to a stunning IPS (in-plane-switching) LCD display.

Power when you need it

Now with up to 12 hours of mixed-use battery life, Fire HD 8 gives you the flexibility to go where the day takes you.

Stands up to everyday life

Amazon engineers Fire tablets to hold up against everyday life. As measured in tumble tests, Fire HD 8 is more durable than the latest iPad and 2x more durable than iPad mini 4 (and costs a lot less too).

Designed for entertainment
Designed for entertainment

Enjoy millions of movies, TV episodes, songs, books, apps, and games''

Blue Shade''

Adjust the backlight for nighttime reading with Blue Shade.

Read

Choose from millions of Kindle eBook and magazine titles that you won't be able to find anywhere else. Over 1 million titles are priced at $2.99 or less. Or read as much as you want with a Kindle Unlimited subscription for just $9.99 a month. Connect with the largest online community of book lovers on Goodreads.

Read comfortably at night with Blue Shade, an exclusive Fire OS feature that automatically adjusts and optimizes the backlight for a more comfortable nighttime reading experience.

Listen

With millions of songs from thousands of artists, the Amazon Digital Music Store brings all your favorite music to your fingertips. Music you buy on your Fire tablet is saved to Your Music Library for free, and you can play or download it anytime.

Unlock more music with Amazon Music Unlimited, just $7.99 per month for Prime members ($9.99 per month for non-Prime members).

Audible offers more than 180,000 titles in audiobooks, including best sellers, romances, thrillers, and much more.

Watch

Enjoy all your favorite movies and TV shows on Amazon Video, Netflix, HBO NOW, Sling TV, and more. Discover hundreds of thousands of TV episodes and movies, plus fling Amazon Video content to your TV using Second Screen. Enhance your video experience with features you only get from Amazon, including On Deck for watching videos anywhere, ASAP for fast video streaming, and X-Ray to go behind the scenes of your favorite movies and TV shows while you watch.

Watch downloaded videos anywhere with a Prime membership, Netflix plan, or Showtime subscription—on a plane, on vacation, in the car, or wherever you don't have a wireless connection.

Play

Fire tablets feature instant access to over 600,000 of the most popular free and best-selling games, social media, premium TV and movie provider apps, and so much more.

Choose from top titles including Candy Crush Saga, Township, Mobile Strike, and more.

Meet Alexa

Alexa on Fire tablets

Alexa provides quick access to the entertainment you want, including music, games, audiobooks, and more. You can also ask Alexa questions, check your calendar, get news, find sports scores, and even control your smart home. Alexa hands-free is available when your tablet’s screen is on or the device is connected to power. Enabling Alexa hands-free may reduce battery life.

Everyday made easier

Alexa on Fire tablets helps make every day easier. Ask to set alarms and timers, check traffic, your calendar, to-do or shopping lists, and more. You can order millions of items with your voice, such as household and personal care products.

Calling and Messaging

Ask Alexa to call almost any local number, message your contacts, or video call friends and family who have a Fire tablet, Echo Spot, Echo Show, or have installed the iOS or Android Alexa App. You can also instantly connect with family and friends by asking Alexa to drop in on enabled Echo devices. For example, you can drop in to ask what time dinner will be ready, see the baby's nursery, or check in with a close relative. (Fire tablets currently do not support incoming Drop In requests or incoming Alexa Announcements.) Learn more

Voice control your smart home

Alexa works with compatible devices such as smart cameras, lights, switches, thermostats and cooking tools from Arlo, Philips Hue, TP-Link, Ecobee, Rachio, GE Appliances, and more. Switch on the lamp before getting out of bed, change the temperature on your thermostat while reading in your favorite chair, or dim the lights from the couch to watch a movie—just ask.

Stay informed

Now you can ask Alexa a question and get an immediate voice response. When you ask, Alexa can pull up your Flash Briefing, Wikipedia articles, news, sports scores, and more.

Be entertained

Whether you’re looking for your favorite playlist or need a quick joke, you can ask Alexa. Ask for a song, artist or genre, and stream directly over Wi-Fi. Alexa also provides voice control for Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, and more.

Exclusive features on Fire tablets
Exclusive features on Fire tablets

Introducing For You

Fire OS includes For You, a dynamic and personalized page on the tablet home screen that makes it easy for customers to get back to reading, watching, listening, or playing—and to quickly find what's next. For You learns what you love to do on your tablet and then presents personalized recommendations across books, videos, songs, apps, and more. Get your weather, Prime photos, and more right from the For You home screen.

Find the things you love easier

Fire OS is the best entertainment experience on a tablet with quick access to the things you do most. The home screen includes dedicated content pages for books, games, and apps, video, music, audiobooks, and Newsstand. Powered by Amazon’s recommendations engine, you can quickly browse new books, movies, TV shows, music, apps, and games.

Share content with Family Library

Family Library links your Amazon account to that of your spouse or partner so you can easily share apps, games, audiobooks, and books, and it now allows Prime members to share their Prime Video content. Access your family's content across devices—both Amazon devices and free Amazon apps for other platforms, including iOS and Android.

Enhance your viewing experience

With ASAP (Advanced Streaming and Prediction), Amazon movies and TV episodes are ready for you to watch instantly. ASAP dynamically adapts to your viewing habits.

On Deck automatically downloads Prime Video (for Prime members) and the first episodes of Amazon Original Series while your device isn’t in use, ensuring that there is always something new to enjoy instantly, even when offline.

Integrated on-device tech support

Screen Sharing brings Mayday-powered customer service to Fire tablets. Simply call customer service and Amazon experts can connect to your Fire tablet to co-pilot through features by drawing on your screen, walking you through how to do something yourself, or doing it for you—whatever works best.

Access your entertainment across all devices

Whispersync remembers how much you've watched, read, or listened to so you can pick up right where you left off, no matter which device you are using. Plus, with every Fire tablet, you get free, unlimited cloud storage for all your Amazon content including unlimited storage on photos you've taken with your Fire tablet.

The best of Prime

Try Prime free for a month

If you haven't tried Amazon Prime in the past, we'll give you a 30-day free trial. Experience what millions of members already enjoy—unlimited streaming of thousands of hit movies and TV episodes, ad-free access to over two million songs, over a thousand Kindle books, and Free Two-Day Shipping on millions of items. Learn more

Unlimited reading on any device

Prime Reading gives you unlimited access to over a thousand books, current magazines, comics, Kindle Singles, and more. With any device – including your phone, tablet, or Kindle – you can read however you want, whenever you want.

Prime''

Best of Prime''

Stream thousands of movies and TV episodes with Prime Video

With Amazon Prime, members enjoy unlimited streaming of thousands of movies and TV episodes at no additional cost, including award-winning Amazon Original series like Jack Ryan and Sneaky Pete, and top HBO shows like True Blood, Girls, and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

No Wi-Fi, no problem—Prime Video downloads

Exclusive to Prime members, download thousands of Prime Video movies and TV episodes. Watch downloaded videos anywhere—on a plane, on vacation, in the car, or wherever you don't have a wireless connection. Prime Video offers offline viewing at no additional cost.

The best of Prime''

Over 2 million songs free with Prime Music

Prime Music is a benefit of your Amazon Prime Membership, featuring a growing selection of over two million songs, always ad-free and on-demand. Unlock more music with Amazon Music Unlimited, just $7.99 per month for Prime members. Learn more about Unlimited

Add HBO, SHOWTIME and more to Prime

With Prime Video Channels, Prime members can also subscribe to over 100 premium and specialty channels like HBO and SHOWTIME to add and stream—no cable or satellite subscription necessary. Prime members can subscribe to any or all of these channels with a free trial.

Share with your kids

Designed with kids in mind

When kids use Amazon FreeTime, it's like they have their very own personalized tablet. The background color and fonts change to a kid-friendly design and they only see the titles that you give them access to.

Over 20,000 kid-friendly titles with FreeTime Unlimited

Amazon FreeTime Unlimited is the first-ever an all-in-one subscription that brings together books, games, educational apps, movies, and TV shows—all the types of content that kids and parents love. From just $2.99 per month, enjoy unlimited access to content including titles from Disney, Nickelodeon, Sesame Street, PBS, and more.

Perfect for parents

Amazon FreeTime is built from the ground up to help give parents peace of mind when it comes to tablet use. Parents can create a profile for each of their children and choose which books, apps, games, and videos they want to give their kids access to. Amazon FreeTime is free on every Fire tablet.

Fire Kids Edition tablets also available

The Fire 7 Kids Edition and Fire HD 8 Kids Edition tablets include the Fire tablet, 1-year of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited, a Kid-Proof Case, plus a 2-year worry-free guarantee. Kids get access to 20,000 popular apps and games, videos, books and educational content from PBS Kids, Nickelodeon, Disney, and more with one year of FreeTime Unlimited. Best-in-class parental controls allow you to manage usage limits, content access, and educational goals.

Learn more

Limit screen time, so they don’t just play

With Amazon FreeTime, parents can set daily limits for tablet use, or restrict certain categories—like games and video—while leaving unlimited time for reading.

Make it personal
Make it personal
Make it personal

Made with premium fabric, our slim, form-fitting case designed by Amazon conveniently allows your Fire tablet to rest in either landscape or portrait orientation so you can enjoy your content hands-free.

Easy to attach and remove, the cases are integrated with a magnetic closure to ensure your cover stays shut while on the go, and automatically puts your Fire tablet to sleep when it is closed and wakes it upon opening.

Explore beyond our cases, and accessorize your device with a wide selection of memory cards, screen protectors, extended warranty services, and more. Learn more

Looking for specific info?

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
25,367 global ratings

Customers say

Customers like the value, quality and ease of use of the tablet. For example, they say it's inexpensive yet trustworthy, the build quality is great and the screen is crisp and clear. Customers are also impresseded with the size, and battery life. However, some dislike apps and opinions are mixed on performance.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

3,930 customers mention3,095 positive835 negative

Customers like the value of the tablet. They mention that it's inexpensive enough to get one for the kids, the HD is fine for the price, and it'll be a great budget tablet for kids. They also recommend it to anyone looking for an inexpensive yet trustworthy media tablet. Customers are also pleased with the special offers, saying that they are not at all intrusive. Overall, most are happy with their purchase and recommend it.

"...Great budget tablet for kids,but if they're really into youtube, there's an app for this device on the Amazon app store, but it's not as intuitive..." Read more

"...series of Samsung microSD cards offer great quality, performance, and price, which may be purchased right here at Amazon.com.)..." Read more

"...Conclusions:The Good:InexpensiveQuick ShippingThe Amazon Video app gives trivia about the movie playing..." Read more

"...Right away I’m feeling good about this purchase because of the low initial investment...." Read more

3,342 customers mention2,988 positive354 negative

Customers like the quality of the tablet. They mention that it has a great build quality, respectable hardware, and feels very sturdy. Some say that the tablet is pretty decent and has good speakers. Overall, customers are satisfied with the performance and functionality of the device.

"...It is sharp, fits well, but does not work well as a stand. Good tablet cover, yes, but as a tablet stand not so much (also over-priced)...." Read more

"...It's wonderful, suits my needs, and hasn't disappointed me yet. Highly recommend." Read more

"...This series of Samsung microSD cards offer great quality, performance, and price, which may be purchased right here at Amazon.com.)..." Read more

"Great tablet, maybe the best tablet for under $100 you will ever see.So I have always loved Amazon and their products...." Read more

2,724 customers mention2,182 positive542 negative

Customers find the tablet easy to use. They say it's easy to learn how to navigate through the device if you are used to iOS devices, configure, and less cumbersome than other 10" tablets. They also appreciate the relative simplicity of uploading your own media, and games are easy to play. Customers say they are able to start using it right away and that turning pages is easy.

"...Provides easy way to navigate all of Amazon services like ebooks, video, photos, app/amazon store, prime music, etc..." Read more

"...Turning pages is easy - just tap the side of the screen to go to the next page or back a page, or you can swipe your finger across the screen to do..." Read more

"...Comes pre loaded with your Amazon account(s)Simple to use, user friendly, "dummy" proofFeel and design are sleek and modern..." Read more

"...There is really not a lot to set up. When it first comes on the tablet asks you to set the default language and wifi setting...." Read more

2,051 customers mention1,736 positive315 negative

Customers like the image quality of the tablet. They mention that it has a crisp and clear screen, and is colorful. Some say that the screen is stunning, and not overly pixelated or grainy looking. Overall, most are satisfied with the image and sound quality of this tablet.

"...-Smaller horizontal bezels making reading easier in portrait mode, and watching moves are more enjoyable in horizontal orientation...." Read more

"...The screen is bright and clear. Sound (2 stereo speakers) is clear, but not the loudest...." Read more

"...standard user, I don't think it will be noticeable though, and looks pretty good.Case and screen protector selection are sad and limited...." Read more

"...The fonts are easy on the eyes, and if you don’t like the lighting auto adjustment you can make the screen brighter or darker to suit your..." Read more

1,554 customers mention1,385 positive169 negative

Customers like the size of the tablet. They mention that it is not too big, not too small, and very portable. They also say that the tablet is the perfect size for reading without being too heavy. Customers also appreciate the smaller bezels and nicer performance for web browsing and gaming. They say that it fits well and is comfortable to use.

"...The Amazon-recommended cover.It is sharp, fits well, but does not work well as a stand...." Read more

"...The OS is very streamline and simple to navigate with tabs and large icons...." Read more

"...I find that the Fire 8 more smoothly transitions between font sizes and margins...." Read more

"...I like that it is small and pocket-sized, with smaller bezels and nicer performance for web-surfing and basic needs...." Read more

1,321 customers mention943 positive378 negative

Customers like the battery life of the tablet. They mention that it has good battery life, it can be replaced by the user, and that it's powerful enough to do what it'd be asked to do. Some say that the battery is easy to replace if lost. Overall, customers are satisfied with the battery performance of the Kindle Fire HD.

"...Battery life is very good -I have gotten 10- 12 hours reading and some movies, mostly reading...." Read more

"...The new Fire HD 8 Tablet has an excellent battery life compared to previous versions•..." Read more

"...So, this isn't a long term solution - the battery will run down - more rapidly since it's powering the GPS puck...." Read more

"...For me, the battery lasts pretty much the whole day (around 6.5-7 hours of screen on time), but does get pretty low by the end...." Read more

4,189 customers mention2,895 positive1,294 negative

Customers are mixed about the performance of the tablet. Some mention that the performance is decent, and should handle 90% of the tasks they perform. The processing speed is snappy and responsive, and the micro SD card works instantly. However, others say that it seems much slower than an iPad, but better than most other tablets. The textbooks have a small delay if you turn a page or zoom in, and there are more clicks to get to your content.

"...Micro SD Card works instantly. Pop it in and the software is smart enough to assist in off-loading media and ((if you want) programs..." Read more

"...The OS is very streamline and simple to navigate with tabs and large icons...." Read more

"...The CONS of having this versus an older model:- More clicks to get to YOUR content- Can't even see the Music or Audible tabs?-..." Read more

"...Because fire OS is basically Android with a heavy skin on it, everything runs perfectly as you can see from the pictures...." Read more

1,396 customers mention298 positive1,098 negative

Customers are dissatisfied with the apps available on the tablet. They mention the app store is severely limited, has mature Android apps, and is not compatible with other devices. Some popular apps have not been updated in years, and some apps just don't open or freeze intermittently.

"...Bravo Amazon.CONS:Ram is lacking. Doesn't excel in multitasking, drops tasks while you're away even if it was the last thing you..." Read more

"...Different, but odd.Sometimes some apps feel generic due to Android interface but that is my own personal opinion..." Read more

"...Number one, chief issue with Amazon tablets is the lack of apps. There’s just no way to spin it...." Read more

"...- It has most basic apps & appears to have improved since last time I looked (a year ago!)...." Read more

Best Way to Consume Amazon Services
5 Stars
Best Way to Consume Amazon Services
Excellent device if you're into the Amazon Echo System and are an Amazon Prime member. If you're one who consume Amazon services daily let it be Amazon music, Amazon video, kindle e-books, audible, Alexa etc this is a good all in one device. It's not the definite device for Amazon services as Alexa is better on the Echo, and e-books is easier to read on a kindle device; but this device is great if you want to consume all of Amazon's content outside your computer. If you're one who are already part of the Apple (iOS) and/or Android echo system then there are some cross over in terms of Apps (although very limited, more on this later), music and video, but the first party services do not pair with the tablet due to legal issues. Some third party apps works like Netflix, Pandora, and Hulu, along others.This tablet mainly centers around Amazon Prime, so if you are not a Prime users; you'll be missing out on a lot and will not take full advantage of this tablet. You can side load Android OS/Google Play Store to this device if you don't consume Amazon services, but note that due to the hardware specs some apps may not work properly on the tablet.Now going to go through some features of the device comparing it to the HD7 and other versions of the HD8:--Which to buy HD8 Vs HD7Similar design choice looking at the exterior to the current fire 7 with differences being:- HD 8 has larger screen size, obviously. With the one inch difference videos look way more immersive especially with the higher resolution the tablet provides compared to the HD7-Smaller horizontal bezels making reading easier in portrait mode, and watching moves are more enjoyable in horizontal orientation. This may be an issue when you hold the tablet in portrait mode. Best as a one handed device in the portrait orientation; when using two hands, at least one hand (mainly the palm) may cover part of the screen activating the touch sensors.-All buttons, mic, 3mm headphone jack and charging port in one convenient location (all on one side of the device). I like this because you don't have to orient yourself all the time. The only port separate from the rest is the expandable memory from SD card slot, which i assume will not be used often less you download tons of movies-Speakers are better than the current gen HD7 (2017), not not as good as the HD7 (2nd gen) 2012** model with dual speakers. If you're close to fans or in a loud environment; the sound may get muffle the speaker sound a bit, so in this situation it's best to switch to wired headphones or bluetooth. **Wished this device had the same speakers as the HD7 2012 model, guess some compromises have to be made to cut cost. A bit disappointed that the budget tablet line has mono sounding speakers instead of Dobly sounding speakers. Yes, Amazon does market this tablet as having Dobly surround sound, but it doesn't sound like it; they probably put the a low grade Dobly sound chip in for lower production cost-Cameras are not the best quality in the world. front facing camera is okay for video chat if you just want to recognize the person on the other line and don't care about having a full 4k resolution of them. Back facing camera...if you already have a current smart phone, you're not going to use this over that. Good to have for immediate use to capture something on the fly if you have your phone charging in the other room i guess. Honestly i think it's not needed, but it's probably there for kids who complain that their tablet doesn't have a camera (and don't know the difference between image quality)The OS is very streamline and simple to navigate with tabs and large icons. Provides easy way to navigate all of Amazon services like ebooks, video, photos, app/amazon store, prime music, etcIf you own a previous Amazon device, everything can be sync automatically along with all purchases you've made through your amazon accountApp library not as diverse as the Google Play or iOS store. You can side load Google Play store, but not all apps are going to be compatible especially those the require GPS (while roaming) or have high hardware requirements. Also you sort of have to be tech savy or able to do research on how to load it in or know someone who does. There are some advantages of the Amazon app store as some full apps/games are free (without micotransactions) compared to the Google Play store which charges a few bucks or have you make purchases in-game with real life money.Battery life. Lasts a few hours more, mixed use compared to the HD7Alexa. Supports Alexa and compatible smart phone devices. The tablet is not available to pick up your voice when you say her name like the Echo devices, as you have to hold on the home button and wait for a visual prompt to say a command.So which one should you buy 7 or 8? I say if you're going to watch video more than reading e-books, shopping, browsing the web, or check e-mail; i'd go with the 8 for a more immersive experience. If you want more battery life out of a single full charge i'd go with the 8. Overall i'd say if you can afford it, 8 is a better option especially for media consumption--Which version to buy: special offers vs no special offersI've own several amazon devices in the past and the discounts for special offers have drastically gone down as most major sales is now aimed towards Alexa voice purchasing via echo devices.You will get some deal here and there, but the deals are not as deep as voice Alexa deals. Most of the time you'll see advertisement for new upcoming movies, tv shows or books. When deals do show up it's close to MSRP and do not have exclusive discount deals you see in the past.Normally i just ignore the ads out of habit, but other times something catches my eye for a second (~99% of the time i dont' buy anything) or it'll just give me a reminder that the new season of Game of Thrones is coming up for example.The only reason i can see you purchasing special offers is if you want to give a generous tip to amazon and/or you have a problem impulse buying stuff (digging deep into your bank account), or if you have children who knows your amazon password and purchase anything they find inciting--Kid edition vs normalSame specs as the regular HD8 but with some software changesBasically a worry-free version2 year warranty/protection planIncludes a rubberized case1 year amazon free-time unlimited which includes parental controls: You can set how much time your kids can spend on a particular application such as reading, viewing videos, playing games etc. unlimited access to a catalogue of child-friendly apps, games, ebooks and videos not present on the regular HD8.Basically the same as the HD8 (aside from the bumper case), but some content unlocked via softwareGreat budget tablet for kids,but if they're really into youtube, there's an app for this device on the Amazon app store, but it's not as intuitive as the one on iOS or Andriod. Had it cash on me sometimes or have issues negativing and saving scroll history. Also there's no picture-in-picture if you want to watch a video while browsing. Either Google doesn't want to do ongoing software/security updates for it or Amazon do not the exact same app on iOS/Andriod it on their store because they want you to use the Amazon Prime Video. It may be the former since Amazon let in Netflix and Hulu, and seeing the small install base compared to iOS/andriod updates may come in slow.--Which memory version to buy?-So there's a micro sd expansion; best to buy the 16gb as oppose to the 32 in my opinion as it's cheaper to buy a micro sd card and insert it into the device. Only reason i see someone purchasing the 32 over the 16 is if1. 16gb is sold out and you can't wait to buy one2. 32gb is on clearance and 16gb is not due to supply issue3. Used vs New pricing4. Have a coupon or credit to purchase the 32gb and a micro sd card isn't applicable with the promotion5. buying as gift to friend and family and want to show you're generous by spending extra money for them6. cheaper in a bundleOverall, best budget tablet for the price if you are a Amazon Prime member despite some negatives (namely the speakers and camera). Most mainstream tablets can range upwards to 5 or 6x more. Yes, they can do more and have better hardware specs, but if you just want a tablet that can do the basics and get the most out of your Prime subscription this is the tablet to get.
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Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2017
Customer image
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Way to Consume Amazon Services
Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2017
Excellent device if you're into the Amazon Echo System and are an Amazon Prime member. If you're one who consume Amazon services daily let it be Amazon music, Amazon video, kindle e-books, audible, Alexa etc this is a good all in one device. It's not the definite device for Amazon services as Alexa is better on the Echo, and e-books is easier to read on a kindle device; but this device is great if you want to consume all of Amazon's content outside your computer.

If you're one who are already part of the Apple (iOS) and/or Android echo system then there are some cross over in terms of Apps (although very limited, more on this later), music and video, but the first party services do not pair with the tablet due to legal issues. Some third party apps works like Netflix, Pandora, and Hulu, along others.

This tablet mainly centers around Amazon Prime, so if you are not a Prime users; you'll be missing out on a lot and will not take full advantage of this tablet. You can side load Android OS/Google Play Store to this device if you don't consume Amazon services, but note that due to the hardware specs some apps may not work properly on the tablet.

Now going to go through some features of the device comparing it to the HD7 and other versions of the HD8:

--Which to buy HD8 Vs HD7
Similar design choice looking at the exterior to the current fire 7 with differences being:

- HD 8 has larger screen size, obviously. With the one inch difference videos look way more immersive especially with the higher resolution the tablet provides compared to the HD7

-Smaller horizontal bezels making reading easier in portrait mode, and watching moves are more enjoyable in horizontal orientation. This may be an issue when you hold the tablet in portrait mode. Best as a one handed device in the portrait orientation; when using two hands, at least one hand (mainly the palm) may cover part of the screen activating the touch sensors.

-All buttons, mic, 3mm headphone jack and charging port in one convenient location (all on one side of the device). I like this because you don't have to orient yourself all the time. The only port separate from the rest is the expandable memory from SD card slot, which i assume will not be used often less you download tons of movies

-Speakers are better than the current gen HD7 (2017), not not as good as the HD7 (2nd gen) 2012** model with dual speakers. If you're close to fans or in a loud environment; the sound may get muffle the speaker sound a bit, so in this situation it's best to switch to wired headphones or bluetooth. **Wished this device had the same speakers as the HD7 2012 model, guess some compromises have to be made to cut cost. A bit disappointed that the budget tablet line has mono sounding speakers instead of Dobly sounding speakers. Yes, Amazon does market this tablet as having Dobly surround sound, but it doesn't sound like it; they probably put the a low grade Dobly sound chip in for lower production cost

-Cameras are not the best quality in the world. front facing camera is okay for video chat if you just want to recognize the person on the other line and don't care about having a full 4k resolution of them. Back facing camera...if you already have a current smart phone, you're not going to use this over that. Good to have for immediate use to capture something on the fly if you have your phone charging in the other room i guess. Honestly i think it's not needed, but it's probably there for kids who complain that their tablet doesn't have a camera (and don't know the difference between image quality)

The OS is very streamline and simple to navigate with tabs and large icons. Provides easy way to navigate all of Amazon services like ebooks, video, photos, app/amazon store, prime music, etc

If you own a previous Amazon device, everything can be sync automatically along with all purchases you've made through your amazon account

App library not as diverse as the Google Play or iOS store. You can side load Google Play store, but not all apps are going to be compatible especially those the require GPS (while roaming) or have high hardware requirements. Also you sort of have to be tech savy or able to do research on how to load it in or know someone who does. There are some advantages of the Amazon app store as some full apps/games are free (without micotransactions) compared to the Google Play store which charges a few bucks or have you make purchases in-game with real life money.

Battery life. Lasts a few hours more, mixed use compared to the HD7

Alexa. Supports Alexa and compatible smart phone devices. The tablet is not available to pick up your voice when you say her name like the Echo devices, as you have to hold on the home button and wait for a visual prompt to say a command.

So which one should you buy 7 or 8? I say if you're going to watch video more than reading e-books, shopping, browsing the web, or check e-mail; i'd go with the 8 for a more immersive experience. If you want more battery life out of a single full charge i'd go with the 8. Overall i'd say if you can afford it, 8 is a better option especially for media consumption

--Which version to buy: special offers vs no special offers
I've own several amazon devices in the past and the discounts for special offers have drastically gone down as most major sales is now aimed towards Alexa voice purchasing via echo devices.

You will get some deal here and there, but the deals are not as deep as voice Alexa deals. Most of the time you'll see advertisement for new upcoming movies, tv shows or books. When deals do show up it's close to MSRP and do not have exclusive discount deals you see in the past.

Normally i just ignore the ads out of habit, but other times something catches my eye for a second (~99% of the time i dont' buy anything) or it'll just give me a reminder that the new season of Game of Thrones is coming up for example.

The only reason i can see you purchasing special offers is if you want to give a generous tip to amazon and/or you have a problem impulse buying stuff (digging deep into your bank account), or if you have children who knows your amazon password and purchase anything they find inciting

--Kid edition vs normal
Same specs as the regular HD8 but with some software changes

Basically a worry-free version

2 year warranty/protection plan

Includes a rubberized case

1 year amazon free-time unlimited which includes parental controls: You can set how much time your kids can spend on a particular application such as reading, viewing videos, playing games etc. unlimited access to a catalogue of child-friendly apps, games, ebooks and videos not present on the regular HD8.

Basically the same as the HD8 (aside from the bumper case), but some content unlocked via software

Great budget tablet for kids,but if they're really into youtube, there's an app for this device on the Amazon app store, but it's not as intuitive as the one on iOS or Andriod. Had it cash on me sometimes or have issues negativing and saving scroll history. Also there's no picture-in-picture if you want to watch a video while browsing. Either Google doesn't want to do ongoing software/security updates for it or Amazon do not the exact same app on iOS/Andriod it on their store because they want you to use the Amazon Prime Video. It may be the former since Amazon let in Netflix and Hulu, and seeing the small install base compared to iOS/andriod updates may come in slow.

--Which memory version to buy?
-So there's a micro sd expansion; best to buy the 16gb as oppose to the 32 in my opinion as it's cheaper to buy a micro sd card and insert it into the device. Only reason i see someone purchasing the 32 over the 16 is if
1. 16gb is sold out and you can't wait to buy one
2. 32gb is on clearance and 16gb is not due to supply issue
3. Used vs New pricing
4. Have a coupon or credit to purchase the 32gb and a micro sd card isn't applicable with the promotion
5. buying as gift to friend and family and want to show you're generous by spending extra money for them
6. cheaper in a bundle

Overall, best budget tablet for the price if you are a Amazon Prime member despite some negatives (namely the speakers and camera). Most mainstream tablets can range upwards to 5 or 6x more. Yes, they can do more and have better hardware specs, but if you just want a tablet that can do the basics and get the most out of your Prime subscription this is the tablet to get.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2018
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