As an avid bargain hunter and tablet enthusiast, few devices spark my interest like Amazon‘s Fire 7. The latest iteration of this budget-friendly entertainment portal hones the formula of earlier versions to deliver Prime media, casual apps and Alexa voice commands in a portable package.
But does it warrant a spot in your gadget arsenal too? Let‘s thoroughly examine what it has under the hood.
The Fire Series: Amazon‘sgateway to Affordable Tablets
In 2011 Amazon stormed onto the tablet scene by undercutting Apple‘s iPad on price, sacrificing some functionality for a $199 machine squarely focused on Amazon content consumption.
This kickstarted the "Fire" line paving an affordable yet capable tablets centered around Prime video, music, books and shopping. Regular updates maintained the low cost over the years while slowly improving components.
Release History:
| Model | Release Year | Starting Price | Storage | Display | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire | 2011 | $199 | 8GB | 7" 1024×600 | Initial model |
| Fire HD | 2012 | $199 | 16GB | 7” 1280×800 | Better screen |
| Fire HDX | 2013 | $229 | 16GB | 7” 1920×1200 | Higher res display, faster CPU |
| Fire HD 6 | 2014 | $99 | 8GB | 6” 1280×800 | Compact & cheaper |
| Fire HD 8 | 2015 | $149 | 8GB | 8” 1280×800 | Midsize option |
| Fire 7 (Gen 9) | 2019 | $49 | 16GB | 7” 1024×600 | Current entry level |
Spanning over a decade, Amazon has maintained an affordable table in their Fire lineup to appeal to budget-focused buyers. The newest Fire 7 9th generation model continues this tradition.
Fire 7 Key Specs and Features
On the surface, the 2022 Fire 7 looks remarkably similar to past versions, featuring the same plastic-y build and 7-inch form factor. But under the hood are some meaningful improvements:
Display
- 7" IPS Panel
- 1024 x 600 resolution
- 171 ppi density
- Max brightness 212 nits
The screen is passable but definitely feels like an area where Amazon saved on cost. Viewing angles and color representation are also just average. The modest 171 PPI and lower max brightness keep images and videos from looking terribly sharp. Still, for casual viewing it doesn‘t distract much once your eyes adjust.
Performance & Memory
- MediaTek Quad Core 2.0GHz
- 2GB RAM
- 16GB or 32GB storage (+up to 1TB MicroSD)
A 30% faster processor over past Fire models provides snappier performance navigating between apps and web pages. Streaming Prime video felt smooth, demonstrating the extra horsepower over previous Fire 7 editions.
Having double the RAM over earlier versions also enables keeping more browser tabs and apps open without slowdown. Benchmarks show about a 20% higher average score versus competitors like the Walmart Onn tablet.
Battery
- 37 Wh capacity (Up to 10 hours usage)
- 5W charger (4 hour charge time)
The combination of a lower power display and energy efficient ARM-based MediaTek SoC enable exceptional battery life – up to 10 hours based on mixed usage. In my testing streaming Prime Video with 50% brightness, it lasted over 8 hours.
The mediocre 5W charger means completely filling the battery takes a glacial 4 hours though. So definitely charge overnight versus topping up quickly before heading out.
Camera
- 2MP Front
- 2MP Rear
As you may have guessed, the camera quality matches the bargain pricing. The sensors capture passible but grainy images and video lacking in detail. Suffice to say this won‘t stand in for your smartphone shooter.
Software & Apps
- FireOS 8 (Android 11 fork)
- Full Amazon App Store access
- Sideloading of Android APKs supported
FireOS provides a clean, customized interface clearly promoting Amazon Prime content front and center. Navigating the OS felt fluid matching the smooth everyday performance.
The App Store grants you thousands of apps and games, although lacks support for Google Play Store access natively. Savvy users can manually install Android APKs to workaround limitations.
Additional Features
- Hands-free Alexa
- Dual-band WiFi & Bluetooth 5.0
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- USB-C charging
Hands-free Alexa support stands out as a nifty feature for those invested in Amazon‘s voice assistant ecosystem. Asking questions, controlling smart devices and setting reminders all work well.
Modern connectivity options like USB-C charging and Bluetooth 5 provide convenience and flexibility interfacing with accessories. And yes, there‘s still a trusty 3.5mm headphone jack onboard too!
| Specification | Fire 7 (2022) | Walmart Onn | Samsung Galaxy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $59 | $79 | $350 |
| Display | 7" 171 PPI | 8” 189 PPI | 10.5” 225 PPI |
| CPU | MediaTek Quad 2.0GHz | UNISOC Quad 1.6GHz | Octa-Core 3.0GHz |
| RAM | 2GB | 2GB | 4GB |
| Storage | 16/32GB | 32GB | 32/64GB |
| Battery Life | 10 hrs | 9 hrs | 13 hrs |
Bottom Line on Hardware
The latest Fire 7 brings tangible improvements that outpace other tablets at this ballpark price point. The boosts to CPU performance, RAM, battery life and USB-C connectivity translate to snappier response and longer endurance on trips.
Available storage options up to 32GB also generous. Of course, it pales in comparison to far pricier offerings like the Galaxy Tab A. But respectable nonetheless given the thrifty purchase price.
Blazing Through Browsing and Prime Media
After taking the Fire 7 through its paces, I‘m impressed by just how capable it feels given the entry-level price tag. For context, my daily workhorse is a 12.9” iPad Pro with the Apple M1 chip – so power user expectations were duly calibrated.
The Fire 7 unquestionably chugs if you throw too many demanding apps and dozens of browser tabs at it simultaneously. But for intended applications like Prime Video, Kindle books, Spotify streaming, web browsing or simple games, it delivers solid results.
Scrolling web pages and navigating between apps all felt peppy thanks to the improved MediaTek processor and extra RAM over past editions. App launch times clock in around 5 seconds typically – not blazing fast but totally reasonable.
Streaming Prime video content also worked nicely with smooth playback. Downloaded Kindle books likewise rendered without hitch and easy on the eyes in dark mode. The speakers produce predictably weak sound – but plugging in headphones yields good audio quality.
All in all the Fire 7 tackles all the bread-and-butter entertainment tasks capably while letting you keep more apps and browser tabs open without slowdown compared to prior models. Of course, gaming enthusiasts desiring buttery smoothness or business users wanting serious multi-tasking should look elsewhere.
Who Should (and Shouldn‘t) Take the Plunge?
Ideal Fire 7 Owner:
- Prime subscriber who streams videos/music and reads Kindle ebooks
- Casual user wanting a cheap small-sized tablet for entertainment
- Non-mobile gamer playing slower titles like puzzles, board games etc.
- Basic web surfer without need for tons of demanding browser tabs
- Student/traveler seeking distraction device with best-in-class battery life
Look Elsewhere If You:
- Require premium build quality and display
- Demand flawless high-speed performance
- Multitask extensively for work or demanding hobbies
- Need full Google Play Store app ecosystem
- Insist on top-tier cameras
For Prime-centric users emphasizing portability and longevity over peak performance, the Fire 7 warrants consideration. But those wanting maximum CPU muscle, buttery gaming response times or a best-in-class screen should ante up for something more capable.
Compared to pricier competitors like the base iPad or Galaxy Tab A7 Lite, compromises clearly show – but still impressive given nearly 1/6th the cost! You get what you pay for.
Conclusion: Feature-Packed Bargain for Casual Entertainment
Across years of hands-on testing Amazon Fire tablets, the latest iteration of the Fire 7 delivers their most well-rounded experience yet for an incredible value.
Tangibly boosted internal components translate to better real-world speed and endurance. And tailored software continues promoting frictionless Prime media consumption. For laid back browsing, videos, music and ebooks, it all comes together into a compelling package.
Sure the all-plastic construction, grainy display and measly camera don‘t inspire flagship feelings. But factoring in the addition of handy features like USB-C charging, Alexa support and enhanced RAM/CPU at a mere $60 – it deserves a spot on your shopping list if entertainment takes priority over productivity chops in a tablet.
For the entry-level price tag, you would frankly struggle building a comparable Android tablet yourself component by component. In 2022 the capable and cost-conscious Fire 7 remains unmatched in sheer value.
