Amazon Fireplace 7 (2022) review: Carry-on companion

The Amazon Fireplace 7’s worth lies in its portability and its worth. It is easy to level to different tablets with extra energy and bigger shows, however few compete within the sub-$100 class like Amazon. Whereas the {hardware} is much from the very best, creature comforts like a microSD slot and a headphone jack make this small pill a stable journey companion, particularly for Prime subscribers.

On occasion, we’ve got a well-recognized debate right here at Android Authority. We trip on how a lot you must spend on a pill, and the reply typically comes right down to what you wish to use it for. You possibly can spend some huge cash, however then you must make an effort to justify the pill in your each day life, or you’ll be able to go low-cost and benefit from the occasional comfort of a bigger show. In the present day, we’re a tool that matches squarely into the second class. That is our Amazon Fireplace 7 (2022) review.

What you must know in regards to the Amazon Fireplace 7 (2022)

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

• Amazon Fireplace 7 (16GB, ad-supported): $59 / £59 / €65
• Amazon Fireplace 7 (32GB, ad-supported): $79 / £69 / €75
• Amazon Fireplace 7 (16GB, no advertisements): $75 / £75 / €79
• Amazon Fireplace 7 (32GB, no advertisements): $95 / £85 / €89

The Amazon Fireplace 7 arrived in June 2022 as a follow-up to the 2019 pill of the identical title. Whereas the 2 price range tablets look virtually an identical outdoors, the most recent model packs just a few key refreshes. The RAM has doubled, for starters, going from a paltry 1GB to 2GB. A Mediatek 2.0GHz quad-core processor additionally replaces the earlier 1.3GHz unit, which ought to enhance the pill’s efficiency capabilities barely. You may also choose up an Amazon Fireplace 7 Youngsters model, which is identical pill with a thick, sturdy case on high, although it’ll value you a good bit additional, with costs beginning at $109.

See additionally: One of the best low-cost tablets

Regardless of the improved internals, the Fireplace 7 (2022) design and construct supplies are unchanged. It’s decked in colourful plastic from high to backside, with choices like Denim and Rose along with a fundamental black end. On the brilliant aspect, Amazon’s choice to remain the course means this price range pill nonetheless carries a headphone jack and a microSD slot to increase the storage to 1TB. You’ll in all probability want that additional storage, too, because the Fireplace 7 (2022) comes with both 16GB or 32GB of onboard storage, which isn’t quite a bit if you wish to obtain films or video games.

Most of Amazon’s updates are hidden inside the Fireplace 7, but it surely’s good to see creature comforts like a headphone jack and microSD slot.

Additionally unchanged is the 7-inch, 1,024 x 600 decision show. It’s the one non-HD member of the Fireplace pill household, providing sizeable bezels on all 4 sides. The highest bezel homes a fundamental 2MP selfie camera, and there’s one other lens of the identical decision across the again.

The Amazon Fireplace 7 doesn’t provide many specifics concerning the battery setup. It boasts as much as 10 hours on a single cost however skips an official battery capability. You possibly can recharge it at as much as 5W with the included charger and USB-C 2.0 port, although Amazon admits it’ll take about 4 hours.

As you would possibly count on, you should purchase the Fireplace 7 (2022) from Amazon in North America, within the UK and throughout the remainder of Europe, and lots of different areas all over the world.

What’s good?

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

We are able to’t discuss the rest with out first acknowledging the unbeatable worth of the Amazon Fireplace 7. You possibly can add it to your journey bag for as little as $60 (when you’re prepared to tolerate advertisements and never a lot storage). It’s a fraction of what another small pill will value you and nowhere near the $499 asking worth of the iPad Mini. Whereas it doesn’t replicate properly on the spec sheet, the low worth gives one thing that may be robust to match amongst fashionable gadgets — peace of thoughts. You merely don’t have to fret as a lot if one thing occurs as a result of the preliminary funding is so low.

The Fireplace 7 (2022) can also be a no brainer when you’re well-entrenched within the Amazon ecosystem. It syncs seamlessly together with your Amazon Prime account and mechanically picks up your Alexa preferences. Each features make setup a breeze, as you will get your Prime Video favorites and Kindle library within the palm of your hand immediately.

The Fireplace 7 (2022) is the right dimension for journey, and has the right worth for some peace of thoughts.

I can’t assist however love the dimensions of Amazon’s most reasonably priced pill. No, the 7-inch show isn’t a lot larger than among the largest phablets available on the market, but it surely doesn’t should be. Whereas telephones are billed as high-performance machines, the Fireplace 7 (2022) is simply a simple approach to watch your favourite exhibits and sustain together with your Kindle library on the go. It’s sufficiently small to suit into a handbag or a backpack comfortably, but massive sufficient you could get pleasure from your content material, albeit in a decrease decision than most tablets.

The Amazon Fireplace 7 (2022) additionally exhibits that you simply don’t all the time should revolutionize your design. It labored properly in 2019 due to its headphone jack and expandable storage, and each of these options are again for one more spherical. Nevertheless, the microSD slot packs an additional punch as it might probably add as much as 1TB of storage as a substitute of 512GB. I doubt anybody is more likely to want that a lot area on this pill, but it surely’s a pleasant enhance to the flexibleness.

Most of Amazon’s inside upgrades serve the Fireplace 7 (2022) properly, particularly the boosted battery life. I spent most of my time between Netflix, HBO Max, and my Kindle library, and I had no downside reaching round 9 hours on a single cost. It’s not fairly the ten hours Amazon boasts, however I’d guess that the battery life improves over time because the pill adjusts to your utilization. Any enchancment is a optimistic whenever you do not forget that the earlier Fireplace 7 was solely rated for seven hours of battery life.

Get your favourite exhibits: One of the best video streaming apps and providers

What’s not so good?

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

Whereas the Fireplace 7 (2022)’s worth is certainly one of its finest options, it’s additionally one of many greatest limitations. There’s merely no approach to put class-leading specs into such an reasonably priced pill.

Although there are optimistic features to the unchanged design, there are simply as many drawbacks. It’s virtually unimaginable to make use of the Fireplace 7 (2022) with out headphones, as there’s just one built-in speaker, and it’s off-center. It pumps first rate sound out of the left aspect of the gadget however gives nothing from the fitting.

Amazon’s easy show can also be exhibiting some age. This can be a budget-friendly pill within the truest sense, however most fashionable content material is produced in HD/4K. There’s no HD model of the Fireplace 7 (at the least not but), which could restrict what you’re prepared to observe. Should you’re reliving an previous favourite like Golden Ladies, you won’t be as fearful, however fashionable hits like Stranger Issues come out greater than a bit delicate.

Amazon’s rock-bottom pricing limits the Fireplace 7 (2022)’s potential, and the anemic Fireplace OS app retailer would not assist.

Should you’re not already entrenched in Amazon’s ecosystem, the app retailer would possibly come as a little bit of a shock. The Fireplace 7 runs on Fireplace OS, which implies there are not any Play Providers and no Google apps with out sideloading and leaping by means of a number of hoops. Should you’re on trip, you won’t have a problem with escaping Gmail and Google Drive, but it surely additionally means sacrificing a correct YouTube app and the far bigger Play Retailer library. Amazon’s App Retailer simply doesn’t have as many apps on provide as Google’s, although when you actually wish to, it’s doable to sideload apps through APK recordsdata (and even set up Google Play providers) when you have the know-how.

Be taught extra: What you must learn about Fireplace OS

We also needs to acknowledge that no one and I imply no one, is shopping for the Amazon Fireplace 7 for its camera. It has entrance and rear-facing 2MP shooters however would in all probability have been higher off skipping the rear lens. You would possibly get some use from the selfie camera for video calls in a pinch, however the rear camera received’t high even essentially the most reasonably priced smartphone in any scenario.

Whereas I had no issues with the Fireplace 7’s battery life, charging was a completely totally different story. When you drain the battery, prepare to sit down nonetheless for some time. The pill comes bundled with a charger, but it surely’s solely rated for a measly 5W of energy. Meaning you’ll have to dam out about 4 hours at an outlet to get again to a full battery.

Although Amazon doubled the pill’s RAM and upgraded its quad-core processor, the efficiency continues to be missing. There’s a noticeable lag in duties so simple as swiping away notifications, and search outcomes take a very long time to load. I don’t have an in depth Kindle library, however I discovered the Fireplace 7 taking greater than a minute to load every time I browsed my books after a while away. It picks up the tempo just a little when you get into the swing of issues however slows proper again down whenever you stroll away.

Amazon Fireplace 7 (2022) specs

Amazon Fireplace 7 (2022) review: The decision

Ryan Haines / Android Authority

Should you’re in search of an ultra-affordable pill to observe your favourite exhibits or learn Kindle books whilst you journey, the Amazon Fireplace 7 (2022) is an effective choose. It’s about as removed from essentially the most highly effective pill as you will get, however the price ticket is comfortably beneath $100, so that you by no means actually have to fret about just a few bumps or knocks.

Amazon’s Fireplace OS may be an adjustment for some individuals with its lack of Google apps and providers, but it surely’s a lot simpler to really feel such as you’re on trip with out Gmail or Google Drive in your face.

Don’t miss: One of the best pill offers

You shouldn’t have any grumbles grabbing the Fireplace 7 as a pill for a grandparent or an informal consumer, but it surely’s not one for avid gamers or anybody trying to do greater than the fundamentals. The youngsters’ model is a fair higher purchase for kids with its thick bumper case and curated content material library, although it does tip the value over $100.

The Amazon Fireplace 7 (2022) is as reasonably priced as they arrive, and it makes a stable journey companion to your Kindle library and streaming providers.

Though the Fireplace 7 packs an honest mixture of dimension and affordability, it received’t blow anybody away on the efficiency entrance. It’s additionally price contemplating that the ultra-low worth doesn’t think about a Prime subscription, which can be a necessity to unlock the Fireplace 7’s potential with entry to Prime Video, Prime Music, and rather more. That is true of all Amazon tablets, although when you’re hoping to get pleasure from your films and exhibits in crisp HD, you would possibly wish to spend just a little more cash on one of many higher-spec choices in Amazon’s portfolio.

The Fireplace 8 HD Plus ($109) gives a 1,280 x 800 show for round $100, or you’ll be able to go all-in on the Fireplace 10 HD Plus ($179) with its Full HD 1,920 x 1,080 possibility. Amazon’s costlier tablets additionally add a 3rd gigabyte of RAM, Dolby Atmos, and two additional hours of battery life. Nevertheless, the closest in worth is the Amazon Fireplace 8 HD ($89), which drops wi-fi charging and has much less RAM than the Plus variant. Until you’re pleased with the 16GB base mannequin for the Fireplace 7, we strongly recommend you give the Fireplace 8 HD a search for its greater decision display screen. In any case, it’s solely $10 greater than the 32GB Fireplace 7 variant (with advertisements).

After all, the vanilla iPad ($329) is the preferred entry-level pill for many, however even when you think about a $119 yearly subscription to Prime, the Fireplace 7 nonetheless massively undercuts Apple’s slate. The wonderful Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 ($229) is actually price contemplating if you need a bigger, however nonetheless reasonably priced pill, although as soon as once more the value falls very a lot within the Fireplace 7’s favor.

Amazon Fireplace 7 (2022)

Amazon’s most reasonably priced pill is again with just a few inside upgrades and a well-recognized, travel-ready type issue. It nonetheless carries a headphone jack and expandable storage, too.

Prime Amazon Fireplace 7 (2022) questions and solutions

Is the Amazon Fireplace 7 price shopping for?

If you’d like a small, highly effective pill to make use of on a regular basis, it’s possible you’ll wish to spend money on one other gadget. Should you simply want a light-weight pill for infrequent journey, then the Fireplace 7 is unquestionably price shopping for.

Are you able to make calls on the Amazon Fireplace 7?

Whilst you can’t make conventional voice calls together with your telephone quantity, the Fireplace 7 helps a bunch of video calling apps. You possibly can obtain fashionable choices like Zoom or run calls straight by means of Amazon as when you have been utilizing an Echo Present.

What SD card do you want for the Amazon Fireplace 7?

The Fireplace 7 packs a slot for normal microSD playing cards, and you may increase the storage as much as 1TB.

Does Amazon Fireplace 7 pill have Alexa?

Sure, the Amazon Fireplace 7 may be managed with the onboard Alexa voice assistant.

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