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A few months back I started taking online training courses and few of them offered downloading services on their mobile devices. This features makes it easy for users to watch the videos at home or while away from the house without using up data data. I originally had been looking more expensive tablets so they could be used for more than just the basics. But after looking at the specs and features of the new Amazon Fire 8 HD Plus Tablet and the price during Amazon Prime Day I decided that I would get one and get a more expensive tablet at a later date if needed. For this review I decided that I would do a two part review on the tablet. The first part was a two+ month review using only the Amazon App Store. For the second part will be a review of the tablet if I decided to sideload Google Play Store.
Amazon Fire 8HD Plus – Features
The all new Amazon Fire 8HD Plus is Amazon’s latest low budget tablet with higher end hardware. This is the perfect entry level tablet for watching video, reading kindle books, or surfing the web. Its lightweight and a perfect option to replace the Echo Show when paired with the Wireless Docking Station. Features copied directly from the Amazon Sales Page.
- 8″ HD display, 2X the storage (32 or 64 GB of internal storage and up to 1 TB with microSD card) + 3 GB RAM.
- All-day battery life & wireless charging – Up to 12 hours of reading, browsing the web, watching videos, and listening to music.
- Now with USB-C for easier charging. Fully charges in under 4 hours (with included cable and adapter).
- 30% faster thanks to the new 2.0 GHz quad-core processor.
- Enjoy your favorite apps like Netflix, Facebook, Hulu, Instagram, TikTok, and more through Amazon’s Appstore (Google Play not supported).
- Introducing Game Mode – A distraction-free and optimized gaming experience.
- Hands-free with Alexa, including on/off toggle.
- 2 MP front- and rear-facing cameras with 720p HD video recording.
- Dual-band, enhanced wifi.
Thoughts on the Reviews Found On Amazon
Before we even get into the review I want to talk about many of the negative reviews on Amazon. Many of the complaints are trying to compare the Amazon Fire 8 HD Plus Tablet to premium tablets and having less than satisfactory results. others are complaining about the lack of features. And of course there are those that give it a one star because it doesn’t have access to Google Play Store or complaining after they purchased it that can’t access Google Play Store (its clearly stated in the product information and multiple mention it throughout the reviews and questions). These are just complaints and people wanting more for less. All these extra features and better specs cost money. If Amazon adds these features, the customer will have to pay more. If the price were to go to,I would look at other tablets.
Some of the more reasonable complaints were issues with slow internet speeds, laggy operating systems/apps, and some general bugginess. These are more legitimate issues. Although many other users and myself didn’t have these issues. These issues may have been corrected with OS and app updates or they could be hardware/internet issues. Working in the IT field for years, I’ve learned just because a device worked a few days ago and now it doesn’t mean it’s the tablets fault. Internet services or router/modem could be an issue. If the network is bogged down with too many users or they’ve throttled back the service for whatever reason it’s going to feel like it’s the device’s fault. At other times the issues could be a single or multiple apps causing problems. A simple reboot of the tablet, the equipment and doing a reset of your IP address may be needed.
If that doesn’t work, it could be an app. Take a look at what’s open and do a forced shut down on your apps.
Amazon Fire 8 HD Plus – My 2 Month Long Review
I’ve been using the Amazon Fire for about 2 months and I have to say its a great entry level low budget option for a tablet. During this review period, I decided to keep the tablet stock. I didn’t even add an SD card. I did use my Anker Wireless Charger to test wireless charging. At some point, I will sideload the Google Store and I’ll review that process and how well the tablet works with the Google Play Store.
The Amazon Fire 8 HD Plus comes in nice retail packaging that is easy to open and well protected. Everything is bagged, tied up, or covered plastic cling wrap to protect from scratching. All fitting in pockets within the box to secure the items.
First Impressions
After pulling everything out the box, I found the tablet to be light weight, plastic, and feels cheep. It does look nice and it is well made. After looking at other tablets in this price range and they are made of plastic and feel cheep as well.
All the controls, USB-C port, and 3.5mm AUX port are spaced out across the top of the tablet. For me, I’m use to having the control buttons on the side of the tablet and the USB-C port on the bottom when in portrait mode.
Because of the matte plastic back and sides the tablet, it is easy to hold and isn’t slippery like some tablets. But I still recommend getting a case for the tablet. The official one that Amazon sells or another brand with a similar design is enough for most people.
Set up and First Run
The Amazon Fire HD Plus comes with enough charge to setup your device. Like most cellphones and tablets, the setup is easy. Just follow the setup, it walks you through the steps to get the tablet up and running. You will need your Amazon login details and your WIFI login details. It took me about 10 minutes to setup and update the OS and installed updates.
Wireless Charging
I like wireless charging and having wireless charging on my tablet is an added benefit. I found many tablets in the same price range that do not have wireless charging. I have 6 wireless chargers but only two of them will work with the tablet. But those other chargers weren’t designed for tablets. I have an Anker desktop wireless charger and Anker flat hockey puck style wireless charger that will charge the tablet. You do not need Amazon’s Wireless Charging Dock for Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus.
Wireless charge\ing is fast enough but not as fast as wired charging. You will have to find the perfect spot to get the charge going. If its a little off, then it won’t charge. When using a cradle style and its in horizontal mode, it turns on show mode feature. It turns your tablet into a Echo Show. Its a little creepy, whenever you walk into the room or move in front of the camera the screen comes out of standby mode.
Charging Via USB-C and Battery Usage
Charging using the supplied USB-C Cable is fast. Its not Power Delivery fast but its faster than older Fire tablets with Micro-USB. I mostly use it when I need a quick charge. During my tests I found charging takes about 4 hours from 10% to full.
When it comes to battery life it last a while. It has a ton of standby time. There were a few weeks I was to busy to use it and it sat on the coffee table with a full charge for days. After about two weeks it was only down to 48%. I mostly use the tablet for my Kindle books, surfing the net, social media and watching YouTube stuff. I haven’t had the time to test watching Netflix or other media yet and plan on doing that at some point. But I need to add a Micro-USB card so I can download media to it.
The most I’ve used it at one time is about 3 hours and that was mostly reading and surfing the net. I never got past 90%
As I find more time I will continue my usage test, I will update this section of the review.
Performance
Watching YouTube videos works and looks good. But the speaker system isn’t all that good. For educational or new updates its fine. But watching entertainment videos or listening to music, the speakers are worthless. It has an AUX port so you could use a pair of Wired headphones if you wanted to. I’d suggest using a nice pair of headphones for listening to music and streaming movies.
Recently, I noticed some keyboard lag and I noticed it after a recent update. After restarting the tablet, the lag went away. So it was an app messing with the memory.
I played some 80s style 2D games and they run fine. Not as good as those types of games played on my Samsung Galaxy Note 8. But that might be the game since they are knock off of the original arcade game I was playing.
Reading and surfing the net is ideal for Amazon Fire 8 HD Plus. The screen is just big enough you can see the text without enlarging the screen. Any larger the tablet becomes awkward to hold and carry.
Camera
Camera quality is ok. I wouldn’t use to take pictures at a party or anything I wanted to keep for memories. The front camera will do for a quick selfie. I haven’t tried a video chat with it yet. Once I do, I will update this section of the review.
Amazon Play Store
Since the tablet runs off the Amazon App Store I need to give you a quick a review of the store. I will go into more detail later. My thoughts are…its ok, but its outdated, there are some questionable apps (look like real Android apps but shady knock offs from questionable App authors), paid apps that may not work.
My advice, read the description and read the reviews.
Whose Amazon Fire 8 HD Plus For
- Those needing more than just an e-reader
- Someone that’s looking for a low tech entry tablet
- Someone looking to surf the web, check email, social media, stream content
- Looking for low budget tablets
- Children needing a tablet for basic school
- Doesn’t care about integrated Amazon ads.
Whose Shouldn’t Get a Amazon Fire 8 HD Plus
- Power Users
- Those that try to compare premium high end tablets with entry level tablets
- Those that access to Google Play Store and don’t want to side load
- Those that don’t want Amazon ads
- Gamers (basic games work fine, but a lot of the games can’t be found Amazon app store
Final Thoughts
The Amazon Fire 8 HD Plus Tablet is a capable tablet with limited access. Iif only Amazon would work with Google and get their tablets access to Google Play Store (legally, not by sideloading) then this would be great budget friendly tablet. But the tablet is hamstringed and many of the apps on the Amazon App store are a joke, outdated, or gives me caution to install. However, I can do the basics. I can read books, surf the web, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. There’s even an app for Evernote. What I don’t have is access to google tools, Microsoft Office, Coursera, and Linkedin Learning. Tablet gaming apps are limited and some may not work.
For the apps that I need but can’t get, I use them on my phone or log in through the mobile website. At the moment, I do not need to side load Google Play Store. When its time, I will do another review.
When I purchased the Amazon Fire 8 HD Plus Tablet I came in with an open mind and knowing it had issues. If you do the same and need a minimal spec tablet without access to Google App Store (or willing to sideload it) then this could be the tablet for you.
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