The Amazon Hearth pill collection has lengthy supplied a big-screen expertise to those that need one thing for primary media consumption, however who don’t wish to shell out for a tool just like the iPad or a dearer Android pill. Certain, these gadgets put Amazon’s apps and providers entrance and heart, however at this value, they’re onerous to beat. The most recent on this lineup of merchandise is the 2022 iteration of the Amazon Hearth HD 8.
The 2022 Hearth HD 8 builds on the last-generation mannequin with a sooner processor and a modest battery enchancment. The modifications are minor, however they make for a pill that arguably nonetheless can’t be beat on this value vary. How significantly better is the 2022 Amazon Hearth HD 8? I’ve been utilizing the brand new pill to seek out out.
Amazon Hearth HD 8 (2022)
Score: 3 Stars
The 2022 Amazon Hearth HD 8 affords an excellent low-cost value and good integration with Amazon’s apps and providers.
BGR could obtain a fee
BGR could obtain a fee
Professionals
- Good battery
- Tremendous cheap
- Good smart home help
- Palms-free Alexa
Cons
- Boring design
- A bit gradual
- Cameras and show aren’t nice
Amazon Hearth HD 8 (2022) design
As talked about, the 2022 mannequin of the Hearth HD 8 represents a comparatively minor improve during the last mannequin, and that’s embodied within the design. The system appears just about precisely the identical because the 2020 mannequin, save for the marginally totally different shade choice. The 2022 mannequin is out there in Black, Plum, Twilight Blue, and White, and we’re reviewing the Twilight Blue mannequin.
The system isn’t essentially probably the most modern-looking pill on the market. It has comparatively massive bezels across the show, with a barely thick construct. It’s not essentially ugly, it’s simply not tremendous glossy or fashionable. That stated, it might be onerous to count on one thing tremendous glossy at this value.
The system is constructed for use in horizontal orientation. In horizontal orientation, you’ll get a webcam within the high bezel, and an influence button and quantity rocker on the appropriate facet. The buttons are simple to achieve and really feel superb. On the identical edge might be discovered the USB-C port, for charging.
Typically, the appear and feel of the 2022 Amazon Hearth HD 8 might be described as “superb.” It’s not all that fashionable, however for a pill on this value vary, it does the job.
Amazon Hearth HD 8 (2022) show
The show on the 2022 Amazon Hearth HD 8 is, because the identify suggests, 8 inches, with a decision of 1280 x 800. It’s not the brightest show on the market, and it is possible for you to to see particular person pixels if you happen to look intently sufficient. However once more, it does the job simply superb.
I wish to see Amazon begin enhancing the show tech on these cheaper tablets within the close to future. The show on the Hearth HD 8 has not one of the newer technology that you’d get on higher-end tablets. Even only a decision enhance can be useful, particularly contemplating the truth that many individuals use these tablets for issues like watching TV exhibits and films.
Amazon Hearth HD 8 (2022) efficiency
One of many major modifications that Amazon has made to the Hearth HD 8 comes within the type of a processor bump. The system now has a six-core processor that Amazon says will ship a 30% enchancment in efficiency.
This new processor is coupled with both 2GB or 3GB of RAM, and both 32GB or 64GB of storage. There’s a microSD card slot to increase that storage.
In day-to-day use, the pill did certainly appear to carry out completely superb. That 30% enchancment doesn’t essentially imply that it’s a cellular gaming machine or that it’s nice at multitasking, but it surely does imply that the pill can sustain along with your web-browsing and video-watching — issues that most individuals purchase a Hearth pill for anyway. And, it’s best to nonetheless count on the odd stutter or freeze, particularly if you change between apps or open new apps.
Amazon Hearth HD 8 (2022) battery and charging
In accordance with Amazon, the Hearth HD 8 is ready to ship an additional hour of “studying, looking the online, watching movies, and listening to music at house and on-the-go.” That brings the entire to a few hours.
Certainly, I discovered the battery life on the Hearth HD 8 to be fairly good. You’ll get hours of video playback, even at full brightness, and for most individuals, the pill ought to final no less than a number of days of regular use. On the time of scripting this, I checked the battery of the pill, and noticed that it had 72% left — which it rated as which means that it has “greater than 2 days left.”
You possibly can cost the Hearth HD 8 by way of the USB-C port, and Amazon says that you would be able to totally cost in 2.5 hours with a 9W charging adapter. This isn’t nice, but it surely means you’ll simply be capable of totally cost the system whilst you’re at work or in a single day. There’s no wi-fi charging or different charging tech on provide right here.
Amazon Hearth HD 8 (2022) camera
You in all probability wouldn’t purchase a Hearth pill for its camera tech, and the Amazon Hearth HD 8 isn’t going to vary that. However you’ll nonetheless need first rate cameras within the occasion that you simply take a video name on the system.
Rear Digicam
Entrance Digicam
On the entrance of the Hearth HD 8, you’ll get a 2-megapixel camera, whereas on the again, there’s a 5-megapixel camera. That is one other space the place I feel Amazon may severely enhance over the following few years. The cameras are superb for primary video calls, however actually solely in well-lit environments, and those who you’re video calling with gained’t get a really detailed view of you.
I truly assume that given the use case of a Hearth HD pill, Amazon ought to prioritize the front-facing camera greater than the rear-facing one. Certain, you may rotate the camera once in a while, however even in case you have a low-end cellphone, it in all probability has a greater camera than this — and it’s what it’s best to lean on for truly taking pictures.
Amazon Hearth HD 8 (2022) software program
Hearth tablets have by no means been recognized for his or her software program, and it doesn’t appear to be that’s going to vary any time quickly. The Hearth HD 8 is constructed to place Amazon apps and providers entrance and heart, and it does so. The software program on the Hearth HD 8 is constructed on Android 11, nevertheless, it principally appears and looks like earlier variations of Hearth OS — and this model has been accessible for some time now.
The interface of the software program is break up up into a number of totally different tabs — “For You,” “Dwelling,” and “Library.” The tabs are just about what you’d count on. For You affords suggestions for content material and permits you to bounce again into what you’ve been doing lately. House is mainly an inventory of apps and widgets in your content material. And Library exhibits an inventory of content material that you would be able to entry.
Amazon can be making it simpler to manage your smart home gadgets. The menu bar has a bit of smart home management button, and tapping it would take you to your “System Dashboard.” That is nice for individuals who have a smart home setup. And, the system helps hands-free Alexa, so you may set off Alexa with out having to select the system up.
Amazon despatched me a “lockscreen ad-supported” model of the Hearth HD 8, which implies that you’ll be introduced with advertisements on the lockscreen. It doesn’t change the performance a lot, however it’s fairly annoying.
Conclusions
The 2022 Amazon Hearth HD 8 builds on the final technology in some methods, however for probably the most half, it’s extra of the identical. The pill is simply highly effective sufficient to deal with what most individuals purchase it for — media consumption, internet looking, and utilizing primary apps. However it’s not highly effective sufficient to do way more. The cameras aren’t nice, the software program is usually a little annoying, and so forth. On this value vary, nevertheless, it’s nonetheless an amazing pill to go for, particularly if you need one thing a bit of larger than the Amazon Hearth 7.
The competitors
A lot of the competitors on this value vary comes from Amazon’s personal different tablets, just like the Hearth 7. The Hearth 7 is a good system, however I desire the marginally bigger display on the Hearth HD 8, particularly for individuals who plan on utilizing their pill for issues like watching TV exhibits and films.
Should you can afford to purchase a barely used iPad, then it’s in all probability value going that route over a Hearth pill. iPads are supported by software program for longer and provide a greater total software program expertise. However if you need a brand new system, you may’t do higher than the Hearth HD 8 on this value vary.
Ought to I purchase the Amazon Hearth HD 8 (2022)?
Sure. The Amazon Hearth HD 8 is one of the best pill in its value vary.
