Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9

• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 9 reviews
• My rating: 0 stars

• Sort by: Most helpful Highest rating Lowest rating Most recent

• 4 stars

  Good for Amazon, Not for the web...

  by swaina001 on December 27, 2012

  Pros: Great on all Amazon content...

  Cons: Silk Browser is horrible, my phone's browser is much faster. Silk doesn't do facebook or any other website very good at all.

  Summary: I am sad that I am returning this tablet, I am an Amazon Prime member and have a lot of Amazon content, but I can't justify the price if ...

  Read more

  Summary: I am sad that I am returning this tablet, I am an Amazon Prime member and have a lot of Amazon content, but I can't justify the price if all it does is Amazon. If that's the case, then take $100 of the price and I'll just have a really good Amazon product. The Web is just non-existent on this tablet. Pages load slow or crash ALL the time. Facebook app doesn't work at all, Amazon says they're working with FB to correct the problem. Maybe, this should have been a forethought and not an afterthought. If you access FB via the web, it barley works. This tablet has too many bugs to even call it a web browser. I can't tell you how many times it crashed on websites of all varieties or took forever to load content. I continually found myself pressing the web enter button twice before it would search.
  
  If Amazon had a decent browser, I would say dollar for dollar & pound for pound the best tablet on the market period. But, it doesn't, so I have to say it just isn't ready to be a top rated tablet...

  Show less

  6 out of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 8 stars

  Almost perfect tablet... a true review for the KFHD

  by jayb1090 on February 8, 2013

  Pros: Excellent HD screen
  HDMI output for movies/games
  Speaker quality is very loud and clear
  8.9" is better for reading
  WIFI is SUPER fast when using dolphin
  Sideloading apps (like dolphin hd, games, etc)
  Free app every day from Amazon! (huge value)

  Cons: Silk browser is useless (need to sideload chrome or dolphin hd)
  Apps are somewhat limited compared to Apple or Google ecosystem (especially for sports fans content)
  A bit choppy upon startup of tablet
  Sideloaded app logos appear fuzzy on main screen

  Summary: I don't understand why so many people are giving this tablet such low ratings?!?! I guess if they did not know how to sideload apps, this would definitely make ...

  Read more

  Summary: I don't understand why so many people are giving this tablet such low ratings?!?! I guess if they did not know how to sideload apps, this would definitely make sense. But once you have dolphin browser HD or google chrome, browsing is incredibly fast and displays flash content with ease(i find dolphin slightly better for flash than Chrome). I purchased this tablet when it was $50 off it's original price point and it provides excellent value for your dollar. This tablet has an AMAZING screen and watching movies or reading books is enjoyable. The speaker quality is fantastic and absolutely blows away other tablets. It actually feels like surround sound. Is this tablet as good as an apple product or google product? Well, probably not quite. The apps available are limited but most good apps are available or can be sideloaded relatively easy. Having an hdmi output is fantastic because you are able to stream tv shows or live sports right onto your big screen. When you compare the KFHD to other tablets at a price point of under $300, this tablet is a no brainer. Easily the best value for your money on the market. Wifi is incredible on Dolphin or Chrome browser, most games are crisp and have incredible graphics, and sideloading "most" apps are available. Yes, the tablet can be choppy when starting it up and it is definitely awful if you are using the SILK browser (they really need to get rid of this), but aside from that, you would be hard pressed to find a better tablet at this price point.

  Show less

  5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 7 stars

  Best deal Hands Down!

  by Sydney2000 on January 22, 2013

  Pros: Picture quality
  Good sound
  Feature set
  HDMI (connect to TV)
  PRICE

  Cons: Plug-In location
  Flash (workaround currently available on Blog)

  Summary: I see a lot of complaining and I'd say go ahead and spend the big bucks then and get the i??? whatever. Sure, there are issues, but why wouldn'...

  Read more

  Summary: I see a lot of complaining and I'd say go ahead and spend the big bucks then and get the i??? whatever. Sure, there are issues, but why wouldn't there be. There's a workaround for the Flash issue which you'll find on the Kindle blog. Therefore the only issue I have is that the plug-in is in the wrong place for me. I'd like to see it on one of the sides w/ the volume or power button. To run the cord out the top works until you find that some apps only play w/ one-side up and that means I have to use my cover-case w/ the stand built-in in an upside down position(plug in at bottom) or unplug it to watch some things. Maybe that can be resolved too and I just haven't figured it out yet, not sure. For the money I think this by FAR the best deal around and I believe I made the right choice. Good job Kindle! Amazon Prime and Audible subscription and I've got it all - Awesome. Tons of Android apps available although many not available for this unit, but I'm sure it has something to do with money and it would result in a higher price, so works for me. I don't want to be trapped by apple and all of it's proprietory restrictions, and of course high prices to join th e trend. If you've got the $$$ though, have at it.
  
  Updated on Jan 22, 2013

  2nd Browser option: UC Browser
  
  Updated on Jan 22, 2013

  Another Browser: Dolphin Browser HD
  
  Updated on Jan 22, 2013

  NOTE: This review was intended for the 7" Kindle Fire HD

  Show less

  4 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 8 stars

  Great tablet value for money. Owned > 2 weeks

  by kev0055 on January 1, 2013

  Pros: - Almost full functionality with expensive tablets without living in the Amazon ecosystem
  - 8.9 inch is perfect for reading pdf, comics and ebooks
  - Great wifi performance

  Cons: - Kindle Email native client could not read hotmail/gmail sub-folders. Inbox is fine.

  Summary: I don't live in the Amazon ecosystem. Not by choice but by force due to the fact I don't live in any of the countries where they have ...

  Read more

  Summary: I don't live in the Amazon ecosystem. Not by choice but by force due to the fact I don't live in any of the countries where they have presence. (No access to Amazon store). But using a third party app store (www.1mobile.com), I am able to install almost all the apps I need and want. For all intent and purposes this tablet is no different from any other more expensive android tablets. Except it is half the price and a hell lot better in video resolution and sound. The screen is absolutely gorgeous.
  
  I never experienced the "Amazon ecosystem" but I don't think I need to. I am already using almost all the apps I want to use.
  
  - Use a alternate app store such as www.1mobile.com
  - Download AVG Free to secure your tablet before downloading any other apps. Scan each app before installing.
  - Download Opera Web Browser (better than Opera Mini browser)
  - Download Mantano Reader Free for pdf and ebooks
  - Download Comic Rack Free for reading comics
  - Download MoboPlayer for video files
  - Download Youtube
  - Download VEVO
  - Download Google Maps
  - Download Facebook
  - Download StumbleUpon
  - Download Dropbox for your personal files
  - Download TuneIn Radio
  
  Transferring videos, books and all kinds of files is easily done via a computer. Just copy the files to Kindle's folder in windows explorer and we are done.
  
  Even game emulators work fine. such as CPS2 games emulator: FBA Alpha.
  
  You don't have to be tied down to Amazon.

  Show less

  3 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 1 stars

  Inferior hardware that works only with amazon content.

  by younessi on December 20, 2012

  Pros: None. Really nothing good about. Really cnet, this is your pick for best tablet. Shame on you for being dishonest.

  Cons: Bad controls. Short battery life, slow processor, no access o google play., no feasures like good camera, GPS, etc.

  Summary: Don't waste you money on this. Either buy iPad or nexus or another name brand tablet.

  Summary: Don't waste you money on this. Either buy iPad or nexus or another name brand tablet.

  2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 10 stars

  Great Tablet!

  by microdots5050 on February 8, 2013

  Pros: The multimedia is great on this tablet. I like the hdmi port as well. The ease of access to the almighty amazon store is a plus. After using it for awhile, you kind of forget that it's a kindle, because it goes far beyond just reading books.

  Cons: My only real gripe is the Silk browser. After hours of use, it can start to error out on you, or crash. This can be very frustrating. To get past this, I just use a different browser, like Dolphin.

  Summary: Besides the Silk browser, I really love my Kindle. Netflix looks great on it, and music sounds ace as well. The battery lasts a good 7 hours for me, multitasking ...

  Read more

  Summary: Besides the Silk browser, I really love my Kindle. Netflix looks great on it, and music sounds ace as well. The battery lasts a good 7 hours for me, multitasking the whole time. Ofcourse reading books is top notch on the Kindle, along with the Premium Amazon option. This is coming from an Ipad 3, and Samsung Galaxy 1 tab owner. Sure it may not have the total smoothness of an Ipad, but it is a workhorse with beauty for half of the Ipad cost.

  Show less

  1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 5 stars

  Fire is better for books. iPad better for all else.

  by nopcbs2 on December 25, 2012

  Pros: Relatively inexpensive (especially during the $250 special), lovely picture, good speakers, fairly light, starts much faster than my Kindle Fire. Like all Fires, great for buying stuff from Amazon.

  Cons: Frustrating to use compared to an iPad. Poor human interface for anything but simple mail and reading Kindle books, annoying lack of a mechanical applications switch button. Slower wifi than my iPad 2. Slow screen refresh.

  Summary: I really, really wanted to like this and intended to sell my Gen I Kindle Fire after I got the Kindle HD 8.9, but the more I use it ...

  Read more

  Summary: I really, really wanted to like this and intended to sell my Gen I Kindle Fire after I got the Kindle HD 8.9, but the more I use it the less I like it. It is just not "right". A iPad 2 can be had refurbished with 1 year warranty from Apple for $319 + tax and it is a MUCH better tablet than the Fire HD 8.9 is for everything except reading Kindle books and even there I think you are better off with a non-HD 7" Kindle Fire. The iPad human interface is much worse than the Apple iPad and we will not even go into the much larger library of apps for the iPad. I guess I expect more out of the 8.9" format than just a very good Kindle book reader. Mine is going back, much to my surprise and disappointment. I am NOT an Apple junkie. I bought a Toshiba Thrive because I did not want to be part of the Apple "cult" and only bought an iPad 2 as a refurb from Apple to see what the hoopla was about. That made me sell my ICS OS Thrive. iPads REALLY are better. Much better, sad to say.

  Show less

  1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 5 stars

  Nice but frustrating

  by ScottMOKC on December 6, 2012

  Pros: Great display, easy access to Amazon products and Amazon instant video.

  Cons: Amazon silk browser crashed regularly and pages loaded slowly. Lack of apps I needed in the Amazon app store.

  Summary: I was very excited to purchase this tablet and found the display amazing. For consuming Amazon content it was wonderful. I found the web browsing experience very frustrating, and found ...

  Read more

  Summary: I was very excited to purchase this tablet and found the display amazing. For consuming Amazon content it was wonderful. I found the web browsing experience very frustrating, and found myself going to my laptop when I needed to access the internet. Many apps I needed simply were not available in the Amazon app store, and you cannot load apps from the Google play store. I returned the Kindle Fire within the 30 day return window and purchased a Google Nexus 10. I absolutely love the Nexus 10!!

  Show less

  1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 8 stars

  Good for Amazon, new screen new choose

  by dunglion on April 8, 2013

  Pros: 8.9 inch is perfect for students

  Cons: - Kindle Email native client could not read hotmail/gmail sub-folders

  Summary: All in all I still love it. I have not used my Ipad since getting my fire.
  
  Updated on Apr 14, 2013

  I emailed Kindle Feedback with the issue to ...

  Read more

  Summary: All in all I still love it. I have not used my Ipad since getting my fire.
  
  Updated on Apr 14, 2013

  I emailed Kindle Feedback with the issue to hopefully have them fix it in an update. By the way, if you guys want to report issues with your kindle fire, email: kindle-feedback@amazon.com

  Show less

See pricing