Amazon has unveiled a new Fire 7 tablet and it brings some features that were missing on the 2019 Fire 7 model, but are the new additions enough of a reason to upgrade to the newest version? The Fire 7 is the cheapest of Amazon's Fire tablet line. The more expensive models are the Fire HD 8 and the Fire HD 10, both of which pack larger and sharper displays.
Although Amazon's Fire tablets run Android, they do not come bundled with Google services including access to the Play Store. Instead, Amazon ships its tablets with a customized version of Android and its own app store. Nevertheless, those who want access to Google's suite of apps and services will find countless tutorials on how to do just that.
According to Amazon, the Fire 7 (2022) is the 12th generation release of the tablet and it comes with a few design changes. The size of the bezels, which are still pretty thick, are now of equal dimensions on all sides. The device is still covered in plastic but the curved edges on the back are now more pronounced. There is still a single camera on the back and all of the buttons and ports, including the new USB-C connector, are still on the top. However, they have been rearranged. According to the product listing, the new Fire 7 tablet is shorter and lighter than its predecessor, although it is also wider and just a tiny bit thicker, too. The Fire 7 (2022) will be available for purchase in Black, Denim, and Rose, which is one color fewer than the Fire 7 (2019).
More Power Meets Longer-lasting Battery
While there are a handful of notable upgrades, some things haven't changed. The display on both devices is a 7-inch IPS LCD panel with a 1024 x 600 resolution. Considering the resolution, it is no surprise that they are both only capable of SD video playback. The cameras—a 2MP sensor on both sides—have also remained unchanged. Amazon has retained the audio jack, a feature that has become a rarity on phones and even on new tablets these days. What the Fire 7 (2022) does bring that's noteworthy in comparison to the 2019 model is more RAM and a more powerful processor.
Unlike the Fire 7 (2019) which has just 1GB of RAM and a 1.3GHz quad-core processor, the new tablet has double the RAM and switches to a 2.0GHz quad-core processor. It is still a MediaTek chip, but Amazon claims the new SoC is 30% faster and users should notice an improvement in video playback and gaming. Storage options are still limited to 16GB or 32GB and there is still a microSD card slot. However, while the 2019 model could only support up to 512GB of external storage, the new Fire 7 pushes the limit to 1TB. In addition to the faster processor and increased RAM, the Fire 7 (2022) tablet also comes loaded with a longer-lasting battery.
The exact capacity isn't stated but users should get up to 10 hours of use from a single charge, an increase of three hours from the 2019 model. The new model charges via USB-C although, in typical Amazon fashion, it can only draw 5W of power, which means a full charge will take up to four hours with the bundled adapter. Like its predecessor, it still lacks 4G and only supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi. There is also Bluetooth support for connecting headphones and speakers. The Fire 7 tablet has Alexa built-in (hands-free) and access to apps from Amazon's Appstore. There are also official cases including a kid-friendly option that owners will need to purchase separately.
Compared to the 2019 model, that launched for $49.99 for the 16GB version (with Lockscreen ads), the Fire 7 (2022) tablet starts at $59.99. Those who want the 32GB version will have to pay an additional $20. The versions without ads are priced at $74.99 and $94.99, respectively. While no one wants to shell out more money for a product, Amazon does a good job in justifying the higher price tag. If in need of a more powerful chipset, extra RAM, longer battery life or a switch to USB-C, then it might be worth upgrading to Amazon's latest Fire 7 tablet.
Source: Fire 7 (2022)/Amazon, Fire 7 (2019)/Amazon