Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9 Review

Introduction:

In order to gain a wider audience, it’s generally a good idea to provide consumers with variety. Sticking firmly with the 7-inch tablet model, we’ve seen Amazon’s name rise to fame thanks partly to the super affordable price point it introduced with its Kindle Fire tablet from last year. This time around, though, the online retail giant decided to move up in size by offering the Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9 – in addition to the new 7-inch models of the Kindle Fire that were launched not too long ago. Now that they have a somewhat “full-sized” tablet in tow, it’ll be intriguing to see if it can make a dent in the space, which is currently being occupied by recognized tablets like the iPad 4, Nexus 10, and Microsoft Surface RT.

The package contains:

• microUSB cable
• Getting to know your Kindle guide

Design:

So what’s the best way to describe this new model? Simple, it’s merely a larger version of the 7-incher Amazon Kindle Fire tablet. Utilizing the same design DNA of its sibling, it’s wonderful that this model feels and looks great for its pricing, which is comforting seeing that the original Kindle Fire just felt, you know, cheap. Just like some of its highly esteemed brethren, its slim profile construction (0.35” thick) is complemented by its sturdy build quality – albeit, it’s has some noticeable weight (20 oz) to its backing. With its soft touch matte casing, it maintains a very clean appearance, which is only broken up by the metallic strip in its rear. Close to having a 2-inch increase over its shorter sibling, this tablet proves to be unwieldy to operate with a single hand – so two-handed operation is necessary. Overall, it might not flash a stylish design, but heck, at least it doesn’t come off as cheapo.



Just like before, the only camera found on the tablet is the 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera above the screen, which is enabled for video-chatting and taking some self-portrait shots.

Hardly a surprise, considering it’s the same design as before, its physical home button and volume control are difficult to feel out with our fingers due to their flat looks. Still, they offer springy responses when pressed. In addition to finding those two buttons around its trim, we also spot its 3.5mm headset jack, microphone, microUSB port for charging/data connectivity, and an oh-so useful microHDMI port for easy video-out functionality. In the rear, the only items spotted there are the two speaker grills, which are incorporated into the metal strip and placed on both edges


Display:

Even now, we’re still astounded to find many inexpensive tablets bearing some really sharp looking displays – with this one being no exception! Specifically, this is packing an 8.9-inch 1920 x 1200 IPS LCD screen, which puts out an admirable pixel density of 254 ppi. Indeed, it’s impressively detailed, but not quite as stunning compared to the Nexus 10 display, but to be honest folks, most people would be hard pressed to determine which of the two is more detailed from a normal viewing distance. Still, it has one great overall package that’s further enhanced by its iridescent color vibrancy, strong brightness output, wide-viewing angles, and great outdoor visibility. Thankfully, we’re not seeing any evidence of bleeding around the edges this time around with this one.

Interface and Functionality:

Diehard Amazon followers will surely appreciate how the tablet interfaces with many of the online retailer’s various services, such as Amazon Prime Instant Video and Amazon MP3 Store, but it simply feels clunky in both execution and presentation. In fact, this is the same custom Android experience that’s running on the 7-inch Kindle Fire HD, which is based on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Frankly, it’s a tolerable experience to say the least, but there’s no arguing we’d prefer the full experience of Android instead – more so considering it lacks the “with Google” association. Therefore, it’s missing beloved features such as deep personalization, widgets, and the wealth of Google branded apps, lacking the Play Store, Gmail, YouTube, Maps and more.


Although it’s basic to the bones, the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 offers us some usable organizer apps, which aren’t sporting the best tablet-optimized layouts we’ve seen. Additionally, the email experience is a dull one too, since it’s rather elementary in functionality and presentation when compared to the rich and extensiveness attached with Android’s usual Gmail experience.


Sad to say, but for a fuller-sized tablet, it’s actually worse to type in landscape – primarily because its layout is more akin to a stretched out version of a smartphone keyboard. Conversely, it’s somewhat better with portrait usage, but some people will probably opt to use the split-style option for better comfort. For the most part, it exhibits a smooth response, but sometimes it’s marred by some sluggish movements.



Processor and Memory:

Now don’t think for a moment that this is going to be getting a vastly superior processor over the 7-inch Kindle Fire HD. Rather, it’s sporting a hairline better dual-core ARM-based 1.7GHz TI OMAP4470 chip with 1GB of RAM. Generally speaking, its performance is consistent with its acceptable results, but it’s lacking the fluid operations and tight feel that some of the quad-core packing devices out there offer. Moreover, there are moments when we see some delayed responses with its actions – though, it’s never to the point infuriating. Certainly it’s no powerhouse!

It could’ve been worse, but it’s nice to know that the Wi-Fi only Kindle Fire HD 8.9 is available in 16GB and 32GB capacities. However, you’ll need to choose wisely seeing that there’s no storage expandability with it whatsoever. If you opt for the LTE connected versions, you can choose from the 32GB or 64GB options.

Internet and Connectivity:

Relying on the familiar Silk browser, which adds some speed to page loads by coughing up some server-side processing, it gets the job done – with one blemish though. On one hand, the display’s high resolution and brilliant looks make web sites pop and come alive. And when it comes to page loads, it’s no doubt pretty quick in executing it. However, there are delays with rendering on the fly – such as scrolling very quickly. Yeah, some of us might not be bothered by it, but it clearly stands out.


Obviously, the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 is available in Wi-Fi only form, but in addition to that, there’s also a 4G LTE connected variant that runs off AT&T’s network only. Similar to its contemporaries, it packs most of the usual connectivity features we expect to find – such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. With the latter, it’s specifically a 5GHz dual-antenna MIMO Wi-Fi antenna, which maintains a solid connection at all times.

Camera:

As we’ve mentioned already, this Kindle is only packing a front-facing camera, which is only accessible by video-chatting apps. Interestingly, there’s a camera icon in the top right corner of the “Photos” category that allows us to snap self-portraits of ourselves. Needless to say, the quality is lacking any serious substance, since its results are extremely grainy. Interestingly though, the camera app mimics the function of an LED flash to lighten up shots, as the display briefly turns white to give some much needed exposure to our faces.



Multimedia:

Exposed to the many plain and boring layouts of the various core apps on the Kindle Fire HD 8.9, we’re not too shocked to find the same thing with its music player. Obviously, the functionality is all there, but its appearance is remarkably plain Jane. Besides that, the audio quality produced by its stereo speakers is good, but not great. All in all, it’s clear and distortion free, but lacks any serious substance to make it heart pounding.

With its vibrant looking HD display in tow, it’s fit for the occasion when it comes to playing high-def videos – naturally so. Additionally, if you have an Amazon Prime subscription, you can take advantage of streaming content from its library. Well, either that or purchase various movies and television shows from its store.

Battery:

Battery life isn’t a concern with this one, since we’re able to get by nearly two whole days with our normal usage with Wi-Fi only connectivity. Needless to say, that’s pretty impressive considering the high-res screen it’s packing along, but then again, we’re certain that 4G LTE connectivity will deliver results that are substantially lower.

Conclusion:

For a brand spanking new tablet, much like its smaller sized sibling, the Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9 is graced with an inviting $300 starting price point (up to $600 for the highest model; the 64GB version). If you can somehow tolerate the Amazon centered experience of this tablet, then you’ll surely find plenty of value with it – even more when it impresses with its high-resolution display.

However, one must not forget about the myriad of competition out there, such as other newcomers like the Nexus 10 or iPad mini. To be perfectly honest, we’d spend the extra money to pick up the $400 Nexus 10, seeing that it’s packing the more impressive hardware and full Android experience. At the same time, we can’t forget about some of the other aging Android tablets out there, like the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, which can be picked up for close, or even less than the price of the Kindle Fire HD 8.9.

Overall, it’s nice that Amazon is providing consumers with choice, but simply at stake is the size difference – and that’s all! When all of the Kindle Fire HD tablets are offering the same software experience, the only decision you’ll need to make is what size you prefer. Is this hot-hot? Well, it’s not burning per se, but rather, it sizzles most with its heavy Amazon services integration and its good value.

Software version of the review unit: 8.1.3_user_1312220

Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9 Review