Two years after the previous version, Amazon is introducing a new Fire HD 8 tablet for 2022. Amazon claims the new model is “faster, lighter and has all-day battery life.”As usual, the price is very cheap: $99.99 for the Fire 8 HD and $119.99 for the higher-spec Fire 8 HD Plus model. Amazon didn’t provide a full spec ahead of launch, but details should eventually appear on the Amazon Developer site.
Here’s what we know. There’s some sort of octa-core SoC (probably Mediatek) in there that Amazon says is “30 percent faster”than the MT8168 in the 2020 Fire 8. The base model has 2GB of RAM, 32GB or 64GB of storage, and a MicroSD slot. Amazon promises “13 hours”of battery life, but the old Fire 8 HD had the same hourly rating from a 4,850mAh battery. The tablet charges in five hours using a standard 5W USB-C power adapter.
The Plus model raises the bar a little at $20. You get 3GB of RAM, wireless charging, a whopping 9W USB-C charger, and “clearer images”from the improved 5MP rear camera. The wireless charging dock keeps the tablet upright and allows it to switch to Alexa smart display mode, just like in the Echo Show. Externally, the Plus model looks identical to the regular Fire 8.
There are also children’s versions. Amazon says the Fire HD 8 Kids is “designed for kids ages 3-7″thanks to its extremely massive, non-removable body, while the Fire HD 8 Kids Pro is “designed for school-age kids 6-12″with a lighter weight. less massive body. The kids editions come with parental controls, kickstands, a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, and educational content. You will pay extra for this bulk; Children’s tablets start at $149.99, with Disney-branded versions available for $10 more.
All tablets available for pre-order today – where else? — Amazon.
Image listing from Amazon