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Kindle Fire HDX 8.9"
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8/10
Informr score
The Kindle Fire HDX 8.9" currently has an Informr score of 8 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 20 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • Excellent screen quality
  • 24/7 real-time tech support
  • 8 megapixel rear-facing camera with LED flash

What's bad

  • Limited apps in the Amazon app marketplace
  • Does not run stock Android OS

Amazon’s third iteration of the Kindle Fire tablet offers a much sleeker design than its predecessors. Like the name suggests the Kindle Fire HDX 8.9” has a 8.9 inch HD screen that boasts an impressive 339 ppi, on par with the Google’s Nexus 10. According to Amazon’s website, the HDX 8.9” also offers 100 percent color accuracy and reduced glare for better bright light viewing, which, according to Gizmodo, makes the Movie- and TV-watching experience “revelatory.” Aside from the excellent screen quality, the tablet sports a 2.2GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM and up to 64GB of onboard storage. Considering its relatively large screen, many reviewers are impressed by its overall small size. The tablet weighs in at 374 grams (13.2 ounces) and measures 0.31 inches (0.78 cm) thick.

One of the features that differentiates it from other Fire tablets is the inclusion of the rear-facing 8 Megapixel camera complete with LED flash, image stabilization and a wide aperture for better low light pictures. Most critics find the addition of the rear-camera an upgrade over other tablet cameras with CNET going so far as to call it “spiffy.”

Aside from the camera, experts seem to enjoy the addition of the Mayday feature which provides free 24/7 tech support on the device as well as the ability to download Amazon Prime Instant Videos for offline viewing. The tech support feature connects users to an available tech representative who can gain access to the user’s Kindle and help by drawing images, launching apps, issuing commands or changing settings. Techland notes that users should not be worried about privacy concerns as Amazon reps only have access to the Kindle during the help session and can only control the tablet with the user’s permission. Most reviewers agree that the tech support has been quick and helpful and is a great feature for more mainstream users.

Despite the plethora of exciting new features, there are a few qualms. One of the largest issues, according to Techland, is the small app marketplace. Like the other Fire Tablets, this Kindle is locked to the Amazon ecosystem. This unfortunately means that many of the apps available to Android and Apple devices might not be available. ZDNet also notes that since it runs on its own OS - dubbed Fire 3.0 - many people who prefer Android might deem the Fire 3.0 OS a “dealbreaker.”

Overall, most experts find this to be an excellent mid-sized tablet for the price. Gizmodo states that the “Kindle HDX has eked out a victory, pulling waaaay ahead on the hardware front…” Slashgear goes on to say “It’s fast, portable, and well constructed…”


Fire OS
Operating system
Operating system
Fire OS
2.2 GHz
Processor
Processor
2.2 GHz
8.9"
Screen Size
Screen Size
8.9"
8+ MP
Camera
Camera
8+ MP
Unknown
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


Notebookcheck
Notebookcheck

If you already use Amazon for shopping and also use the streaming services of the online retailer, then the Fire HDX 8.9 is a very good platform for media playback. But you will have to live with the software restrictions if you want to do more with your tablet.

- Florian Wimmer , Notebookcheck
Beta News
Beta News

I couldn't recommend the HD 8.9 because of app and browser shortcomings and so chose not to review the tablet last year. The HDX changes everything. The tweener gives you the best of Amazon and enough of everyplace else.

- Joe Wilcox, Beta News
TrustedReviews
TrustedReviews

The new Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 sticks with much of the same great hardware but with a few improvements that make it a fantastic tablet for video and reading. Its only downfall is an operating system that still needs some fine-tuning.

- Michael Sawh, TrustedReviews
GottaBeMobile
GottaBeMobile

What the Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 offers is a fantastic mobile device to use for entertainment and relaxing, at a price point that sets it far above the bottom tier, and just below the class of the field. It’s feature set, design, and performance are top notch. It has some software glitches still t...

- Warner Crocker, GottaBeMobile
Expert Reviews
Expert Reviews

There’s no microSD card slot to add extra storage capacity, so you're limited to storage capacity built into the HDX. You can choose between 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models, with Wi-Fi only or an integrated 4G LTE modem for internet access on the move.Unless you opt to pay £10 extra to disabl...

- Tom Morgan, Expert Reviews


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Quick view

Screen Size
8.9"

The Kindle Fire HDX 8.9"'s screen size is 8.9 inches with x pixels resolution.

Processor
2.2 GHz

There is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 Quad core 2.2 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The tablet runs on proprietary operating system firmware.

Camera
8+ MP
You can take photos or capture video with the tablet's onboard 8+ MP camera. There is also a secondary front facing camera useful for video chat and self portraits.
Storage
16/32/64 GB

Internal memory is 16/32/64 GB. No external card slot is available for expansion.

Battery
Unknown

The tablet is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery. Amazon's performance ratings are 12 hours Wi-Fi surfing.

Kindle Fire HDX 8.9" Specs

Overview
Release Date November 7, 2013
Regions Available USA
Operating System No

Compare Fire OS Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 Quad core 2.2 GHz
Internal Storage 16/32/64 GB
RAM 2 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
SAR Unknown
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Data Cable, Manual
Cellular
Networks
No
Mobile / Cellular Data
No (Option available)
Wi-Fi Calling No
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
No
variations
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth Yes
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Memory Expansion Slot No
Expansion Slot Info
NFC No
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
8+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Main Camera Info
Auto focus, Geotagging
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (IPS)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution x pixels
Pixel density 339 pixels
Size 8.9 inches
Sensors Ambient Light, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope
Backlit Illumination Yes
Zoom / Magnification Yes
Screen Orientation Lock Yes
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity No
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Battery Charge Time 5 hours
Video Playback Time Up to 12 hours
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 12 hours
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Standby Time No
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Material Plastic
Colors Black
Dimensions [H x W x D] 15.7 x 23.1 x 0.8 cm (6.2 x 9.1 x 0.3 in)
Weight 374 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Stereo
Input / Navigation
Touchscreen Yes
Sleep / Wake Key No
Home Key No
Physical keyboard No
Text-to-Speech Yes
Screen Reader Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock Yes
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Graphics: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Screen Orientation Lock: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Unknown
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, SMTP, Microsoft Exchange
PC Synchronization: Yes
Audio Formats: MIDI, MP3, MP4, eAAC+, AAC+, AAC, AMR-WB, WMA, WAV, OGG, AMR-NB
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: Yes
Viewable document types: AZW, BMP, DOC, DOCX, MOBL, PDF, PPT, PPTX, TXT, XLS
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable
Included Software / Apps: -
Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Calculator, Maps, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): Kindle Fire HDX 8.9", Fire 8.9" HDX
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