However, many interesting alternatives without the operating system restrictions exist for the purchase price of 195 Euros (~$214 without adware). However, when being completely open to the Amazon Universe, the tablet is mainly used for media and the named drawbacks can be accepted, the buyer will get a device without major shortcomings. We deduct a point in the rating for this strong bondage by Amazon's operating system. The mail order giant obviously wants to fuel its own media business. However, the weightiest drawback is the strong bondage to use Amazon's services and store. The system performance could also be higher, the same is true of the screen resolution. The buyer will not find an ambient light sensor or NFC. The positive aspects are its color accuracy, the IPS screen, fast dual-band Wi-Fi and decent stereo speakers. However, there are exceptions: However, some apps that are installed on the device without Amazon's app shop might refuse to run.Īmazon's Fire HD 8 still achieves "Good" in our rating. This enables installing Google's Play Store and every desired Android app. Alternatively, the user follows the Work-Around from our "Netzwelt" colleagues. installing the desired apps as APK files after moving them from the download folder on the tablet. The Amazon-leash can be loosened somewhat when desired: Via sideloading using an app like ES File Manager, i.e. The GFXBench benchmark test and Dropbox were just as unmovable as the pre-loaded Amazon apps. USB OTG is supported, and a Razer USB mouse and a 32 GB Corsair Flash Survivor USB 3.0 flash drive were both identified. On the other hand, Amazon Underground is an app store where everything, including in-app items, is free - even applications that must be purchased in the normal app shop. According to Amazon, all Android apps are to run on Fire OS 5 Bellini with no or only minor modifications. Nevertheless - Android 5.1 or iOS 9.1 make a more intuitive impression and also look better.Īnother restriction for Android fans: Only Amazon's app store can be used ex-factory, which does not offer the wide variety of Google's Play Store. The step from the old Fire OS 4 seems huge, but overall, the software can be handled quite well, especially when Amazon is not new to the user. It looks good, but sometimes the clarity of arrangement suffers on the subscreens. The software is clearly focused on Amazon's micro-cosmos Prime users will feel at home right away. They are also comprehensively integrated into the system swiping left on the home screen brings the user to the dedicated screens that present media from each personal library as well as recommendations. Diverse apps are preloaded ex-factory, such as Amazon's app shop, video, Kindle and music. Unlike many other manufacturers, Amazon makes more profound modifications in the stock Android OS. The installed operating system is the new Fire OS 5 Bellini, which is based on Android 5.1 Lollipop. In addition to our black review sample, the tablet is available in blue, magenta and tangerine. The feel is acceptable and the gaps are also within a tolerable range.Īmazon offers the Fire HD 8 in four colors. Furthermore, a quiet creaking noise and evident warping are observed under high force. Strong pressure on the Fire HD 8 also causes wave formations on the screen. However, we cannot agree with the statement that it is more durable than the latest Apple iPad Air 2. Thus, a protective sleeve is essential if the device is to remain reasonably presentable.Ĭonsidering the compact dimensions of the Fire HD 8 compared with the other rivals, we can confirm Amazon's pithy assertion on the product website stating that it is slim and light. Our standard benchmark suite of tests was enough to leave unsightly scratches on the back - and the tablet never left our table. This does not give a particularly high-quality impression, and is extremely susceptible to fingerprints and scratches. Compared with the twice as expensive Amazon Fire HDX 8.9 Tablet, visible cutbacks in the casing are of course inevitable.
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