Amazon FIRE HD 10 review

 

 

Are there still markets for low budget tablets? For years, Amazon has claimed the answer to be yes, with its consistent line-up of low priced and low-powered Fire tablets. The latest of its products is the newly updated Fire HD 10, which looks to prove that there is room in the market for a bigger tablet that is not an iPad. But does the tablet do enough to justify saving the money compared to Apple’s increasingly low-priced entry-level iPads?

Regarding low budget tablets, Amazon’s Fire line is difficult to beat, with more spontaneous software, higher-quality builds, and much better warranty than the majority of its competitors. The new Fire HD 10 is never an exception, with more RAM, a more powerful processor, and Fire OS 7, for outstanding performance compared to other older Fire models.

In this Amazon Fire HD 10 review, you will find out about the tablet’s performance, design, battery life, camera, buyers guide, plus everything else you should know about this device. Please scroll down to find out.

 

Overview

The Fire HD 10 is the fastest and most perfectly shaped Amazon tablet. It has been upgraded for 2020 with 2-gigabytes of RAM and a slight processor speed surge. The addition of a USB-C charging port is another bigger news. This is Amazon’s first USB-C capable device, and it is hoped to spread to the rest of the line as well. Some laptops and most Android phones use USB-C for charging, so having it on this tablet brings more convenience as you don’t have to carry your charging cable everywhere you go.

compared to other Fire models, the Fire HD 10 has a bigger screen with more pixels (1080p), making it excellent for watching videos. And, like the Fire HD 8, you can give commands to Alexa from across the room. If you want to use the Show Mode on the Fire HD 10, swipe down on the notification overlay and select it. You may set your HD 10 on a stand (we recommend the official magnetic standing case), and it becomes an Echo Show.

You can select between a 64 GB model or 32 GB model (with a MicroSD slot if you require more space). Whichever model you choose, Amazon will display advertisements on the lock screen. To get rid of the ads, you will need to spend $15 more for a version without “special offers.”

 

Amazon Fire HD 10 Specifications

• Weight: 504g
• Dimensions: 262 x 159 x 9.8 mm
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth, USB-C
• Camera: 2MP rear and front-facing cameras
• Operating system: Fire OS 7 based on Android 9
• Storage: 32GB or 64GB plus microSD card slot
• RAM: 2GB
• Processor: 2GHz octa-core
• Screen: 10.1in 1920×1200 LCD (224ppi)

 

Design and Durability

Available in black, white, purple, and blue, the Fire HD 10 looks almost similar to its predecessor. The back is made of thin polycarbonate and has the Amazon logo, while a 10.1-inch display with lumpy bezels dominates the front. The top edge is home for the power and volume buttons, a USB-C charging port, and a headphone jack. A MicroSD slot is on the right, and the speakers are placed on the left side.

The Fire HD 10 comes in at a hefty 17.8 ounces and measures 262 x 159 x 9.8 mm (HWD). However, to ensure that the tablet is comfortable to hold with two hands for extended periods, the weight is well distributed.

Without any official water or drop protection, durability is a mixed bag. We recommend a case or the Fire HD 10 Kids Edition for children. For an additional $50, the Kids Edition comes with a two-year warranty that covers any kind of damage, a year of Free Time Unlimited, and a padded case.

 

Display and Audio

The 10.1-inch LCD on the tablet front has a resolution of 1200 by 1920 for a 224ppi pixel density. The color precision is substantial, even though it doesn’t have anti-reflective covering and can be tough to see outdoors or inside a brightly lit area.

However, if you intend to use the tablet for reading books, you are better off using a devoted eBook reader such as the Kindle Paperwhite. The Paperwhite’s display is much more expressive, and because it does not have backlighting, it is gentler on the eyes.

Although the tablet boasts twin speakers, audio quality is not the Fire HD 10 most powerful feature. With the highest volume reaching 84dB, it is loud sufficient to fill a space, but the audio is tinny and hollow. Fortunately, there is Bluetooth 4.2 in addition to a headset jack for alternative listening choices.

 

Performance and Hardware

The tablet is powered by 2GB of RAM and a 2GHz MediaTek processor. You will find two options readily available (32GB and 64GB), each of which supports up to 512GB of outside storage using a microSD card. It is a massive performance bulge over the Fire HD 8, which has a 1.5GB of RAM and a 1.3GHz quad-core processor.

In comparison with the Apple iPad, the Fire HD 10 isn’t a speed demon. However, it is relatively snappy in contrast with its Fire siblings. Programs open fast, and there is just a small hesitation when swiping through different screens. You can multitask with five apps open at the same time efficiently.

We played Asphalt 8, a processor-intensive game, and noticed a few skipped frames and longer load times than high-end tablets, which is not surprising. We had no issues enjoying Candy Crush, which requires fewer system resources.

Benchmarks are what you would expect for the price. We conducted a test that emulates everyday tasks, where the Fire HD 10 scored 5,501, far surpassing Walmart’s 8-inch Onn tablet, which clocked in at 3,031.

The Fire HD 10 includes a top-notch 6,300mAh battery. In our battery drain test, which streams high-definition videos at full brightness, it lasted for eight and a half hours. That is almost double the paltry four hours and fifty minutes we got on the Fire HD 8. With more conventional use, you can get closer to 13 hours of screen time.

If you ever forget your charger and battery is running low, the Fire HD 10 is currently Amazon’s very first tablet with USB-C connectivity. Along with the 9W adapter that comes in the box, there is also a 15W alternative which will fully charge the battery within 3 hours.

There are 2MP cameras on the back and front of the tablet. Neither are great. We attempted utilizing the front camera in good light to shoot selfies and speak on Skype or Zoom, and both were noisy and blurry. The back camera is precisely the same. We scanned a document with the rear camera, and it was also too fuzzy to see.

 

Software

The tablet runs Amazon’s latest operating system (Fire OS 7), which is based on Android 9.0 Pie. It appears like previous models of Fire OS; however, it offers welcome additions like enhanced notifications and picture-in-picture mode.

Even though Fire OS relies on Android, nothing regarding it seems or feels like inventory Android. It has been altered beyond recognition to an Amazon content delivery system. All your apps are on your home display. Swipe left, and you will find windows that show your Newsstand, Audible, Music, Amazon Shop, Games & Apps, Video, and Books.

As intended, Fire OS displays all of Amazon’s products makes buying them easy. If you purchase everything from Amazon, that is nice, but if you would like to download apps from one of Amazon’s rivals, you are out of luck. The Amazon Appstore does not comprise Macy’s, Instacart, Walmart, or even Saks Fifth Avenue, all of which you can get from a regular Android tablet. However, you may use the Fire HD 10’s browser to shop from anyplace.

It is also that Amazon’s Appstore still does not carry all of the programs you’ll discover in the Google Play store. You cannot download YouTube or other Google apps, for example. Even the New York Times program is lacking, as are games such as Fortnite and Asphalt 9. You’re able to sideload inaccessible programs by looking for the APK document from the internet browser. Still, you must be aware that some programs are not compatible, and you put yourself in danger of installing viruses or malware.

So, while Fire OS is not as open or as flexible as Android, that is also a part of the beauty. It is much easier to use compared to Android. Also, if this is your first tablet, it makes it unbelievably simple to find movies, books, apps, and more.

 

Battery Life

The battery life on the Fire HD 10 is approximately 10 hours. You will only actually notice this if you sit right down and watch films for 10 hours, so it’s going to probably last you a fantastic few days without charging if you are only using it during the evenings.

One of the things which the Fire HD 10 is relatively fabulous at is retaining charge in standby. You can leave it on standby for weeks, and still, when you come back, it will have a charge. Obviously, that very much depends upon what you have got set up and when these background processes are continuously asking you to do things – however, if you are mainly using it for videos, you will likely discover it will hold onto its charge.

It takes roughly 5 hours to charge fully, which is not exactly quick, provided that many phones will charge fully in little more than one hour. As we mentioned previously, the inclusion of USB Type-C at least implies it is using the most recent kind of connector.

 

Camera

There are lots of fantastic phone cameras out there nowadays, but still comparatively few decent tablet ones. The Amazon Fire HD 10 is not out to change this. In fact, Amazon should not have bothered placing a camera onto the gadget. What I mean with this, if the lack of a camera meant an extra $10 off the purchase price, then I would be all for this. No need for two low-resolution cameras, they could cut off at least the rear one, and it meant $10 less of the price, then I would be more likely to buy it.

The Fire HD 10 includes a 2-megapixel camera around the trunk, with no flash, along with a VGA unit in front of the tablet There is no distinctive tech at play, and, indeed, the picture quality is comparable with a phone which is ten years old.

The camera software is a bit smarter than the hardware, nonetheless. Not only can there be an HDR mode, but additionally, it will indicate if it thinks you ought to use it. And it is generally correct, also, requesting it every time light conditions are challenging.

However, utilizing the HDR mode is quite slow, which makes it seem as if you are carrying an ultra-long exposure. Not only it is irritating, but the resulting photo will not look worse if you cannot keep your hands still, or just you can find a good stand for sharp photos.

 

Price

The Amazon Fire HD 10 costs $184.00 for 32GB or $214.00 for 64GB of storage – but you’ll have to look at ads (named “special offers”) on the lock screen. It costs $15 to get rid of the ads. – Learn how to remove ads on Amazon Fire HD 10

 

Pros

• Affordable
• 64GB or 32 GB internal storage is expandable by up to 256 GB. Enjoy downloaded videos anywhere with a Showtime subscription, Netflix plan, or Prime membership.
• Alexa integration. Use Alexa’s hands-free mode to display the weather, show sports scores, open apps, play music, pause videos, and more.
• Great battery life and excellent 10.1″ 1080p Full HD display (1920 x 1200).
• Large display with over 2 million pixels perfect for streaming content seamlessly, reading magazines, playing games, and watching Full HD video.
• Message or call almost anybody hands-free, or make video calls to friends or family with a Fire tablet, the Alexa App, Echo Show, or Echo Spot. Expect instant connection when enabling Echo devices.
• Enjoy millions of movies, games, Android apps, magazines, Kindle eBooks, songs, and TV shows, not forgetting Spotify, HBO, Facebook, Netflix, and more.
• Prime members get unlimited access to thousands of TV episodes and movies, millions of songs, and over a thousand magazines and books at no additional cost.

Cons

• Low-resolution camera.
• No Google Play Store apps.

 

Observations

• The outer plastic body now comes in four attractive and more appealing colors.
• Some apps like BBC iPlayer or Sky Go refuse to load videos and other content onto a microSD card, meaning you are can only use the limited 64GB or 32GB of storage.
• Hands-free Alexa is available, and it can be used to control music, videos, and apps.
• The tablet is not encrypted out of the box. We recommend turning it on in settings with a passcode.
• The cameras are bad, but enough for the most basic of video chat or photos in good lighting
• Amazon’s older Fire HD 10 cases suit the new one correctly.

 

Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019): What’s new?

Besides the changes in the colors, there is no real difference in the upgraded 2019 Fire HD 10 compared to the previous version. There has been a change in how Amazon shows its logo, moving into a single arrow, but otherwise, the size and build of the tablet are precisely the very same as they’ve always been.

However, there is one significant change: the addition of a USB Type-C in contrast to the older Micro-USB connection. Amazon was a bit slow to evolve its devices to this newer connection standard. While in a smartphone, it creates a whole lot of sense to utilize this connector, devices such as the Fire tablets and the Kindle have got away with the old standard for a while. It is welcome since it means that you may be spared carrying around the old charger and can just use a single cable for everything. It is also simpler to plug it in.

There is no escaping that the tablet is so large and plasticky. Though the Fire 7 gets away with it, as soon as you’re up into the expansive 10-inch dimensions of this version, there is a good deal of vinyl to traction. Therefore, you don’t possess the superior feeling you get from the iPad completed in aluminum or several other tablets that use glass. At precisely the same period, the weight is kept down. And you always need to try to remember the price: you are not paying premium prices here, so using plastics is accepted. Additionally, it is easy to wipe clean of fingers and manages tear and also wear quite well.

For those needing more security for the form of harm that children might cause, there is the Fire HD 10 Children Edition that has a bumper case and warranty.

 

What can you do with Amazon Fire HD 10?

 

Entertainment & Movies

You can now watch in 1080p Full HD.

Enjoy all your favorite TV shows and movies on Sling TV, HBO NOW, Netflix, Amazon Video, and YouTube and more (subscription fees might apply). Discover thousands of new movies and TV episodes, plus fling Amazon Video content to your Fire TV via Second Screen. Improve your video experience using attributes you get from Amazon, such as X-Ray, to go behind the scenes of your favorite TV shows and movies. At the same time, you watch, ASAP, for fast video streaming, and On Deck for watching videos anywhere.

Watch downloaded videos anywhere with a Showtime subscription, Netflix plan, and Prime membership in the car, on vacation, on a plane, or wherever you do not have a wireless connection.

Reading

Pick from countless magazine titles and Kindle eBooks, which you will not have the ability to access anywhere else. Over a million titles are priced at $3 or less. Or read without any limitations with a Kindle Unlimited subscription for just $10 per month.

Read comfortably through the night with Blue Color, a distinctive Fire OS feature that automatically optimizes and adjusts the backlight to get a more comfortable night reading experience. Overall it’s one of the best tablets for reading.

Listening

With countless songs from thousands of musicians, the Amazon Digital Music Store will bring all of your favorite songs to your palms. The music you purchase on your Fire tablet is stored in Your Music Library free of charge, and you may download or play it everywhere.

Unlock more songs with Amazon Music Unlimited, only $8 a month for Prime associates ($10 a month for non-Premium members). Audible provides over 450,000 titles in audiobooks, including thrillers, romances, best sellers, and much more.

Web Surfing

Surf the web, media consumption read the news, read the sports news, check up on your social media account, send a message to your friend, make a call, watch YouTube all of this categorizes under web surfing. It’s one easy and quick way to find any information through your tablet. It’s also more convenient than using your phone or laptop for that matter.

Playing games

Fire tablets feature instant access to over half a million most popular best-selling or free games. Choose from top titles including Mobile Strike, Township, Candy Crush Saga, and more. You will also get a movie provider, premium TV, social media apps, and so much more.

Can you watch Netflix on Amazon Fire HD 10?

Netflix is available for Amazon Fire HD 10. It’s the most budget-friendly tablet for watching movies & Netflix that we can recommend. Full HD 1920×1200 LCD screen makes it not only possible but actually enjoyable. Two speakers on opposite sides of each other, which gives a real stereo sound. The speakers are a bit of an issue if you truly want to enjoy your movie or TV-show.

Amazon Fire HD 10 Buyers Guide – Should you buy one?

If you are searching for an excellent budget-friendly tablet, Amazon Fire HD 10 is the best choice for you. Although it costs almost double of the Fire HD 8, it is money well spent for nearly double the battery life, a higher-resolution display, and snappier performance. Currently, you can’t find any appealing Android tablets at this size and price, so your next choice will be an iPad, which offers more apps and better performance, but it costs more than twice as much.

Among Amazon’s Fire tablets, deciding which to purchase is somehow challenging. For less amount, the smaller Fire HD 7 and Fire 8 give you access to a similar ecosystem of content and apps for even less money. HD 8 is the best choice if you are looking for cheap mid-size slates. The HD 10, while more expensive, boasts more RAM, a more powerful processor, a bigger sharper screen. We think that makes it a reasonable upgrade if you are looking for a larger display.

So, if you are in the market searching for a simple, media-focused tablet or reading the Fire HD 10 is with no doubt your best bet.

 

Final Verdict

With respectable battery life, reasonable speakers, a decent screen, and enough performance to make it perform different activities during the day, the Amazon Fire HD 10 functions perfectly as an everyday tablet. If you do not mind living inside Amazon’s world, the Fire HD 10 is one of the best affordable 10-inch tablets you can get for yourself, and enjoy it every minute.

We hope this article helped you understand Amazon’s tablet a bit better and gave you the necessary information to make your decision.

Let us know in the comments below your thought about Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet. Have a good one guys, cheers.