Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus 2020 Full Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview

The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2020) is a portable and user-friendly tablet that caters to a variety of needs. This device is designed to be an affordable entry-level option that serves as a media consumption hub, catering to users who prefer Amazon's ecosystem of services. With a decent build, good battery life, and the integration of voice assistant capabilities, the Fire HD 8 Plus holds significant appeal for families and budget-conscious consumers.

Design and Build

The design of the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus is sleek and straightforward, featuring dimensions of 202 x 137 x 9.7 mm and a weight of 355 grams, making it quite comfortable to hold for extended periods. The tablet is available in several colors, including White, Black, Twilight Blue, and Plum, allowing users to choose according to their personal style preferences. The housing is made of quality plastic which ensures durability while maintaining a lightweight profile.

Display

Equipped with an 8.0-inch IPS LCD, the Fire HD 8 Plus delivers adequate visuals with a resolution of 800 x 1280 pixels (~189 ppi). Although not a high-definition display, the screen quality is suitable for streaming videos, browsing, and reading. The brightness and color accuracy are satisfactory for indoor use, but visibility can be challenging in bright outdoor environments.

Performance

Under the hood, the Fire HD 8 Plus runs on a Mediatek MT8168 chipset with a quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU and a Mali-G52 MC1 GPU. These specifications indicate that the tablet is optimized for basic tasks and media consumption rather than intensive applications or gaming. With 3GB of RAM, multitasking capabilities are improved compared to its predecessors, allowing users to seamlessly switch between applications.

Software

The device operates on Fire OS 7, a customized Android 9.0 (Pie) experience tailored towards Amazon services. This operating system provides an intuitive interface and easy access to Amazon's ecosystem, including Kindle, Prime Video, Amazon Music, and Alexa. However, it limits access to Google Play Store, offering apps primarily through Amazon’s Appstore.

Storage

The Fire HD 8 Plus comes with storage options of 32GB or 64GB, expandable via a dedicated microSDXC slot. This allows users to significantly increase storage capacity, making it convenient to store multimedia content and large applications.

Camera and Multimedia

The tablet is equipped with 2 MP cameras on both the front and rear. While these cameras are modest and generally suited for video calls or quick snapshots, they are not intended for high-quality photography. The device includes stereo speakers and a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a pleasant addition for those who prefer wired audio accessories.

Connectivity

Regarding connectivity, the Fire HD 8 Plus supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac for dual-band wireless connectivity, along with Bluetooth 5.0. It includes a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer, a modern touch that enhances ease of use. However, it lacks cellular connectivity, GPS, NFC, and FM radio features, focusing on Wi-Fi as the primary mode of connection.

Battery Life

One of the standout features of the Fire HD 8 Plus is its solid battery performance. The device supports wireless charging and offers a usage time of up to 12 hours on a single charge, making it a reliable companion for travel or use throughout the day without frequent recharges. The inclusion of wireless charging is notable for a tablet in this price range, adding convenience and helping to reduce cable clutter.

Accessories and Additional Features

The tablet works seamlessly with Amazon's Alexa, allowing voice-controlled operation and integration with smart home environments. Although it comes with an accelerometer sensor, it lacks advanced features like fingerprint recognition or facial unlock, emphasizing simplicity and cost-effectiveness.

Pricing and Availability

Available since June 2020, the Fire HD 8 Plus is positioned as a budget-friendly option with a price point of approximately 100 EUR. It appeals to families, first-time tablet buyers, or those already committed to Amazon’s suite of products and services.

Conclusion

Overall, the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2020) is a practical and economical tablet that caters to casual users within Amazon's ecosystem. While it isn’t equipped with high-end specifications, its combination of versatility, ease of use, and access to a wealth of Amazon content makes it a compelling choice for those seeking a simple media and internet consumption device at a competitive price.