Amazon has updated its Fire HD 8 line of tablets with the latest 2022 model, which comes with an improved CPU and a longer battery life. But do these improvements mean that you should update from the Fire HD 8 2020?
If you want to know which tablet is right for you, make sure you keep reading, as we’re going to be breaking down all the key differences between each model, with evidence from our reviews to back it up.
Pricing
The Fire HD 8 2020 was released more than two years ago so it’s no surprise to see that it’s much cheaper than it was originally and more affordable than the Amazon Fire HD 8 2022.
We have broken down the prices of each model below, but it’s important to note that the latest tablet comes with the option of opting out of ads, which inflates the price.
Amazon Fire HD 8 2020:
- 32GB: £89.99/$89.99
- 64GB: £199.99/$199.99
Amazon Fire HD 8 2022:
- 32GB with ads: £99.99/$99.99
- 32GB without ads: £109.99/$114.99
- 64GB with ads: £129.99/$129.99
- 64GB without ads: £139.99/$144.99
Design
Both models of the Fire HD 8 have a practical design, with a plastic backing that does well in regards to staving off fingerprints. We also thought that both designs were durable enough to be thrown into a bag or given to younger children since neither of our models encountered any issues, even when we did not use a case.
The 2020 model comes in four colourways: Black, Plum, Twilight Blue and White. The 2022 model, meanwhile, only comes with three colour options, including Black, Rose and Denim. Both models come with a USB-C charging port and a 3.5mm audio jack, but the Fire HD 8 2022 also features a MicroSD card slot, if you’re interested in upping your storage.
Taking a quick look at the camera, Amazon kept things consistent and used the same 2-megapixel rear and front-facing sensor on both tablets, meaning that you can engage in Zoom calls for work or chat with your friends on either device.
Display
As the name might suggest, both tablets feature an 8-inch HD screen with a 1280×800 resolution. Since they have the exact same specs it’s fair to say that both tablets look very similar, with the low resolution not providing a particularly sharp experience by modern standards.
Both tablets are usable in sunnier environments but it won’t be the smoothest experience, as the actual brightness levels are not strong enough to combat direct sunlight. We do recommend upping the brightness to the max if you’re interested in watching video content, as neither tablet can really provide strong and punchy colours, especially while it’s dim.
For the price, both the Fire HD 8 2020 and the Fire HD 8 2022 provide a serviceable experience, but we would not recommend either device for someone that will want to consistently use it on the go or if it will be a dedicated device for watching TV shows or movies.
Battery Life
During the review period, we found that the Fire HD 8 2020 could last for up to 12 hours while reading, browsing the web and watching video content. At 50% brightness, we found that the tablet’s battery was depleted by 7%, which was more than serviceable.
The Fire HD 8 2022 provided similar results, with Amazon claiming that this tablet can last 13 hours in total. Streaming a show on Disney Plus for an hour took away 6% of battery and the tablet only lost 1% of the battery after being left on overnight.
The difference in battery here is not night and day, but the latest Fire HD 8 2022 seems to edge out its predecessor ever so slightly.
Performance
The Fire HD 8 2022 comes with an updated Hexa-core processor, while the 2020 model uses a Quad-core MediaTek CPU. We thought that the 2020 model was noticeably slow to use with lag appearing while we scrolled and navigated the device. We had the same issues with the 2022 model, however, they were not as severe and did not impact the overall experience as much.
You can check out a full breakdown of each tablet’s specs below.
Neither tablet is appropriate for intensive gamers or creative professionals, but they can power some of the most popular productivity apps and some light games. For a smoother experience, we would have to recommend the Fire HD 8 2022 since it does provide more seamless scrolling.
Both tablets run on Fire OS, which is a very service-driven experience. While you don’t need an Amazon Prime subscription to operate this tablet, we thought that it helped to improve the overall experience since the software is closely tied with Amazon Prime.
The Fire HD 8 2022 can be configured to run without ads for an additional cost, which the 2020 model does not offer. This will come down to personal preference, but the latest model may be best for those who don’t want their home screen and apps cluttered up by advertisements.
Moreover, both tablets offer 32GB or 64GB of storage, although the Fire HD 8 2022 has more RAM than its predecessor, at 3GB rather than 2GB. The newer model also has the benefit of a MicroSD slot, which allows users to bring in additional storage. The higher RAM and storage capabilities may make the Fire HD 8 2022 the best choice for those who use it for productivity or to store video and photo content.
Verdict
The Amazon Fire HD 8 2020 and the Fire HD 8 2022 are very similar tablets and have the same use cases across the board. The Fire HD 8 2022 does edge out its predecessor in a couple of ways, namely the improved battery, additional RAM and the option to forgo ads.
If you’re looking for a simple tablet for day-to-day browsing and to indulge in some video content, the Fire HD 8 2022 is the best option as it does provide easier scrolling and a better response time, thanks to the improved CPU. However, if you already own the Fire HD 8 2020 model, we would not recommend upgrading to the current 2022 model, since the differences will be very minor.
Instead, we recommend checking out our Best Tablet and Best Budget Tablet roundups for a broader view of what’s currently on offer.
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We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
