Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020) – full specs and major features

The new, horizontal-first, 8-inch Fire tablet comes with 30% faster performance, twice the storage expandable up to 1 TB, and USB-C connector for faster charging and data exchange.

Amazon’s new range of mid-size Fire HD 8 tablets is already available for preorder and the shipping starts on June 3, 2020.

The new lineup includes now not two but three variants. Besides the regular tablet and a version designed for kids, you can now have the Plus version that offers better performance and a new exclusive feature – wireless charging support.

The “all-new” means this time “all-new.” The shape of the tablet has changed to support horizontal-first use. The tablet has different proportions, so you will have to invest in a new case, as well.

Jump to specs

Let’s have a quick look at available variants of Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet released in 2020, officially classified as the 10th generation:

• Fire HD 8 Regular – 30% faster performance thanks to 2 GB RAM and Quad-Core 2 GHz processor; twice the storage (32 or 64 GB); support for 1 TB microSD cards; 2 MP front camera with 720p HD video recording; USB-C port for faster charging.
• Fire HD 8 Plus – all the above plus bigger RAM (3 instead of 2 GB); more powerful 9W in-box charger; Kindle Unlimited 6-month plan for free; unique Slate body color; hassle-free wireless charging via dedicated Wireless Charging Dock (that you have to buy separately).
• Fire HD 8 Kids Edition – the regular tablet is bundled with one year of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited (over 20,000 books, audiobooks, and videos for children), a new kid-friendly case with a built-in stand, plus 2-year worry-free guarantee.

The new 8-inch Fire tablet is available in all Amazon stores across the world. However, is some markets, you can order only the regular version, and sometimes only in one color.

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Amazon Fire HD 8 2020 – major improvements

New horizontal-first bezel

Amazon Fire HD 8 has a completely new look. If in portrait mode, it’s wider than its predecessor. You may assume it’s because of a new display with a different aspect ratio.

The fact is that the display is the same (and not so good) as in the 2018 generation – 1280 × 800 px, with 189 pixel density.

A different look is a result of redesigning the bezel. In a previous generation the sides were narrow, while the top and bottom were larger. In the new model the bezel’s width is roughly the same around the display.

The reason is simple: the front camera was moved from top side in portrait mode to top side in horizontal mode.

This single design decision significantly changes the way you’ll use the tablet. From now on, it is much easier to make video calls in a horizontal mode. In a vast majority of other tablets the camera position is tailored for portrait view, what affects how others see you when talking on Skype or Zoom with a tablet put in a horizontal mode – the camera is on the side of the screen instead of top.

The horizontal-first view is a natural choice for a tablet range that’s designed for watching or two-hand use. It’s also connected with the wireless charging stand (Fire HD Plus version only) which lets you charge the tablet only in the horizontal position.

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30% faster performance

The 2020 8-inch Fire tablet is equipped with a faster processor (Quad-Core 2 GHz vs. 1.3 GHz in the 2018 model). Thanks to that, the performance is better by 30%.

Don’t expect the new model to be super-fast, though. Fire tablets usually offer medium-to-low performance compared to tablets from other major brands, naming only Samsung or Apple.

If you have used the Fire before, you know that the speed of a newly released model would be fine for the next couple of months, but after a few updates of the operating system, the tablet will become slow and buggy, even to the point it would be impossible to use it.

USB-C port for faster charging and data transfer

Fire HD 8 released in 2020 is Amazon’s first tablet to feature USB type C connector. The same connection port is used, for instance, in iPad Pro models.

USB-C port enables you to charge your Fire quicker than using the former standard – USB 2.0 micro-B. Using a 5W power adapter that’s included in the box, you will be able to fully recharge the battery in under 5 hours. If you have a 15W power adapter, you will recharge the Fire’s battery in less than 3 hours.

As a reference, in the previous-generation model, 6 hours were needed to achieve full battery level via micro-USB port.

Bigger internal memory

Every new generation of Fire tablets comes at least with an upgrade of internal memory. Fire HD 8 2020 offers two storage options: 32 or 64 GB, which is twice as much as in the previous model.

However, if you already own a microSD card, you don’t have to buy the 64 GB variant that costs $30 more. You can store all your movies, photos, audiobooks, and other personal files on a memory card which would also be used with any other Fire model, including the one you will buy in the future.

1 TB memory card support

Support for memory cards is one of the biggest benefits of Amazon Fire tablets. You can use one card with multiple Fire models.

The new Fire HD 8 comes with a support for 1 TB microSD cards, compared to 400 GB in the 2018 model. It doesn’t mean you have to buy the new card. All you have to do is check out how much memory is used on your current card, and how much more you need in the near future.

It may turn out 200 or 400 GB is more than enough for all the files you have.

2 MP front camera

Fire tablets are meant to be your video calls assistant. They never featured top-end rear cameras for making beautiful photos, but they sport solid front cameras, to help you see more on Skype or Zoom.

Currently, all Fire models features 2 MP camera on the front, and the same 2 MP camera on the back. Both cameras support 720p HD video recording.

Wireless charging

This convenient feature is available only in the HD 8 Plus version which costs $20 more. What’s more, to use this form of charging, you have to buy a dedicated Wireless Charging Dock, so in the end you will pay $169.99 instead of $89.99.

The wireless charging dock lets you avoid the cable mess. You can place the Fire on a dock and it instantly transforms into a countertop smart display with hands-free Alexa access in Show Mode.

Wireless Charging Dock will be compatible with future Plus-level generations of the 7- and 10-inch Fire models, but for now, it works only with Fire HD 8 Plus.

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Amazon Fire HD 8 – comparisons

The newest 8-inch Fire tablet comes in a redesigned bezel that’s wider and shorter to accommodate the camera in a new place (on top of the display in a horizontal mode instead of on top of the screen in a portrait mode).

Therefore, you may get an impression the new Fire has a new screen with a different aspect ratio. It’s not the case – it’s the same as in the previous model.

There are, however, other improvements, and we have included them in a handy comparison table below.

Is it worth upgrading to Fire HD 8 model released in 2020 from the one you currently own?

Do you hesitate between Amazon Fire and Apple iPad tablet? Which one would be most suitable for you and your family? Below, we compared the features of the newest Fire HD 8 with the most affordable iPad model – the 10.2-inch one.

The iPad is three times more expensive than the Fire – do you really need all its features? On the other hand, the performance of Fire tablets deteriorates at a much quicker pace, so if you are looking for a device you could use for more than a year, you should invest in an iPad.

If you are planning to switch from Fire to iPad, make sure you learn about the differences between operating systems, as well as access to Amazon services and features you would like to use in the future.

Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020) – full specs

Find below the full tech specs of the Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet, 2020 model.

Screen	8-inch high-definition touchscreen with IPS (in-plane switching) technology and HD video playback
Screen resolution	1280 × 800 px
Pixel density	189 ppi
Storage capacity	• 32 GB (24.8 GB available to user) • 64 GB (55.6 GB available to user)
microSD card	Yes, add up to 1 TB of additional storage
RAM memory	2 GB
Processor	Quad-core 2.0 GHz
Body colors	• Black • Twilight Blue • Plum • White
Battery life	Up to 12 hours of mixed usage: reading, browsing the web, watching video, and listening to music
Charge time	Full charge in under 5 hours using the USB-C cable and 5W power adapter included in the box Full charge in under 4 hours with 9W adapter (sold separately) Full charge under 3 hours with 15W adapter and USB type C to C cable (adapter and cable sold separately)
Weight	12.5 oz / 355 g
Dimensions	8.0 × 5.4 × 0.4 in / 202 × 137 × 9.7 mm
Cameras	• Front: 2 MP camera with 720p HD video recording • Rear: 2 MP camera with 720p HD video recording
Wi-Fi	Dual-band Wi-Fi, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards with support for WEP, WPA, and WPA2 security
4G	No
Ports	• USB-C (2.0) to connect to a PC/Macintosh computer or to charge your device with the included power adapter • microSD slot for external storage
Audio	• 3.5 mm stereo jack • Integrated dual speakers with Dolby Atmos technology
Bluetooth	Yes, built-in Bluetooth 5.0 LE with support for A2DP compatible stereo headphones, speakers, microphone, and LE accessories
Blue Shade blue light control	Yes; the feature automatically adjusts and optimizes the backlight for a more comfortable nighttime reading experience
Alexa	Yes; the personal assistant provides quick access to the entertainment you want, including music, games, audiobooks, and more
Alexa hands-free	Yes
Show Mode	Yes
Sensors	Accelerometer, ambient light sensors
Accessibility features	VoiceView screen reader enables access to the vast majority of Fire tablet features for users who are blind or visually impaired using text-to-speech or a connected refreshable braille display. Screen magnifier enables viewers to zoom in and out, and pan around the screen. Fire tablets also include accessibility settings for Closed Captioning, Font Size, High Contrast Text, Color Inversion, Color Correction, and Convert Stereo to Mono audio
Supported formats	Kindle (AZW), KF8, TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively, Audible Enhanced format (AAX), DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, non-DRM AAC, MP3, MIDI, PCM/WAVE, OGG, WAV, M4V, MP4, AAC LC/LTP, HE-AACv1, HE-AACv2, MKV, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, HTML5, CSS3, 3GP, VP8 (WEBM)
Location services	Location-based services via Wi-Fi
Original case covers	Yes, sold separately. Four colors to choose from: Charcoal Black, Twilight Blue, Plum, and Sandstorm White
Warranty	90-day limited warranty and service included. Optional 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year extended warranty available for U.S. customers sold separately
In the box	• Fire HD 8 tablet • USB-C (2.0) cable • 5W power adapter • Quick Start Guide
Amazon Fire generation	10th generation – 2020 release
Launch dates	• Announcement – May 13, 2020 • Pre-orders – May 13, 2020 • Release – June 3, 2020
Prices	• 32 GB, with special offers – $89.99 • 32 GB, without special offers – $104.99 • 64 GB, with special offers – $119.99 • 64 GB, without special offers – $134.99

Amazon Fire HD 8 – ports and buttons

Amazon provides a handy visual that shows the position of all ports and buttons.

Amazon Fire HD 8 2020 – highlights

Interested in how Amazon describes the new tablet? Here are the highlights from the product page.

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Keep exploring. Here are other posts and lists for Amazon Fire users:

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