The Amazon Fire HDX, formerly named Kindle Fire HDX, is a high-end model in the Amazon Fire line of tablet computers. It was announced on September 25, 2013, and was available in two models, 7 inch and 8.9 inch. The 7 inch WiFi model was released on October 18, 2013, and the 8.9 inch WiFi model was released on November 7, 2013, in the United States.
 Fire HDX 7 (3rd gen, 2013) | |
| Developer | Amazon |
|---|---|
| Type | Tablet computer |
| Release date | October 18, 2013 (7" model) November 7, 2013 (8.9" model) (USA) |
| Operating system | Fire OS 3, upgradable to Fire OS 5 |
| System on a chip | Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 |
| CPU | Quad-core 2.2 GHz ARM Krait 400 |
| Memory | 2 GB |
| Storage | 16/32/64 GB |
| Display | 7" model: 1920 × 1200 px 323 PPI 7 in (18 cm) diagonal 8.9" model: 2560 × 1600 px 339 PPI 8.9 in (23 cm) diagonal |
| Graphics | Adreno 330 |
| Sound | Stereo speakers |
| Input | GPS, accelerometer, gyroscope, light sensor |
| Camera | Front; 8.9" model only: 8 MP Rear |
| Connectivity | Micro-USB 2.0 (type B) 3.5 mm stereo socket Dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi 4G LTE Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Online services | Amazon Prime, Amazon Cloud Storage, Amazon Cloud Player, Amazon video, Amazon Silk, Amazon Appstore, Amazon Kindle Store |
| Dimensions | 7" model: 186 mm × 128 mm × 9.0 mm (7.32 in × 5.04 in × 0.35 in) 8.9" model: 231 mm × 158 mm × 7.8 mm (9.09 in × 6.22 in × 0.31 in) |
| Mass | 7" model: WiFi 303 g, 4G 311 g 8.9" model: WiFi 374 g, 4G 384 g |
| Predecessor | Fire HD |
| Successor | Fire HD |
| Website | Amazon Kindle Fire HDX |
In September 2014, Amazon released the second generation of the Fire HDX 8.9 model that has a faster processor and a more powerful graphics processing unit. In addition, the name "Kindle" was removed from all of the Fire tablets' names.
The Fire HDX tablets were discontinued, and the Fire HD tablet line now includes the most powerful versions of Amazon Fire devices.
Design
editHardware
editBoth the 2013 7 inch and 8.9 inch LCD models contain a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor that has an Adreno 330 GPU. The models also have a 1.2 megapixel front camera that shoots 720p HD video. The 8.9 inch model has an 8 megapixel rear camera that shoots HD 1080p video. The exterior surface has angular, raised plastic edges with the power and volume buttons located on the backside. The Fire HDX features Dolby Digital Plus audio engine powering the two attached speakers. A normal user will get about 12 hours of battery life from a full charge.[1]
The Fire HDX 8.9" refresh in 2014 uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor with an Adreno 420 GPU.[2] The sound system features Dolby Atmos speaker technology and the Wi-Fi version weighs 13.2 ounces (370 grams).
Software
editBoth 2013 models shipped with Fire OS 3 which is a proprietary fork of Android 4.2.2. It features "Mayday", a button for free tech support available any time, "Silk", a cloud-accelerated browser, the Amazon Appstore for games and apps and Amazon.com services for media content purchases.[3] The tablets can send video content to a supported TV, game console or through a device like a Wireless Display HDMI adapter wirelessly using "Second Screen", but cannot send content via a HDMI cable like its predecessor, the Kindle Fire HD.
The 2014 refresh uses Fire OS 4 "Sangria", which features profiles so each user on the tablet can have their own settings and apps.[4]
After Fire OS 5 was released on new 2015 Fire tablet models it was also made available as an over-the-air upgrade for 4th gen Fire tablets, including the 2014 HDX 8.9. Amazon provided a downgrade mechanism for users who did not like the upgrade.[5]
Mayday feature
editSascha Segan of PC Magazine mentioned: "Press the Mayday button, and within 15 seconds, a live Amazon operator appears in a video chat window on your screen to answer all of your Kindle Fire questions. He or she will even tell you what apps to download. I've never seen anything else like it on a tablet."[6] In his review of the Kindle Fire HDX 7" he called the Mayday remote video support feature as "revolutionary" and "Amazon's most exciting feature".[7]
In June 2018, however, Amazon "quietly" discontinued the Mayday feature.[8]
Fire OS UI
editThe Fire HDX's UI has a "Carousel" which contains the most recent apps used and ones that have been updated or purchased recently.[9] The Carousel also holds documents, videos, music, and books. The Fire HDX also has a favorites tab in which the user can access the users apps from any other application.
Models
editOverview on generations and models for all Fire tablet devices:
Display Size (Diag.) Generation (Year)
|
6 in | 7 in | 8 in | 8.9 in | 10.1 in | 11 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st (2011) | Kindle Fire | |||||
| 2nd (2012) | Kindle Fire Kindle Fire HD |
|||||
| 2.5th (2012) | Kindle Fire HD WiFi Kindle Fire HD WAN |
|||||
| 3rd (2013) | Kindle Fire Kindle Fire HD WiFi Kindle Fire HD WAN |
Kindle Fire HD WiFi Kindle Fire HD WAN |
||||
| 4th (2014) | Fire HD | Fire HD | Fire HDX WiFi Fire HDX WAN |
|||
| 5th (2015) | Fire | Fire HD | Fire HD | |||
| 6th (2016) | Fire HD | |||||
| 7th (2017) | Fire | Fire HD | Fire HD | |||
| 8th (2018) | Fire HD | |||||
| 9th (2019) | Fire | Fire HD | ||||
| 10th (2020) | Fire HD Fire HD Plus |
|||||
| 11th (2021) | Fire HD Fire HD Plus |
|||||
| 12th (2022) | Fire | Fire HD Fire HD Plus |
||||
| 13th (2023) | Fire HD | Fire Max | ||||
| 12th (2024) | Fire HD |
Note: Items in bold are currently available.
Detailed specifications for all Fire HDX tagged tablet devices:
| Generation (within Fire tablets*) |
3rd Generation (2013) |
4th Generation (2014) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Kindle Fire HDX (7") | Kindle Fire HDX 8.9" | Fire HDX 8.9 | |
| Code name | Thor | Apollo | Saturn | |
| Modelnumber | KFTHWA (WAN) KFTHWI (Wi-Fi) |
KFAPWA (WAN) KFAPWI (Wi-Fi) |
KFSAWA (WAN) KFSAWI (Wi-Fi) | |
| Release date | Wi-Fi | October 18, 2013 | November 7, 2013 | October 21, 2014 |
| +Cellular | November 14, 2013 | December 10, 2013 | December 2014 | |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued | Discontinued | |
| OS | Fire OS 4 (or 3.2[10]) | Fire OS 5 (or 4.5.2[10]) | ||
| Fire OS (latest) | 4.5.5.3[11][12] | 5.6.7.0[13] | ||
| Screen | Size (diagonal) | 7 in (18 cm) | 8.9 in (23 cm) | |
| Resolution | 1920 × 1200 | 2560 × 1600 | ||
| Density | 323 ppi | 339 ppi | ||
| CPU | Maker | Qualcomm | ||
| Kind | Quad-core Snapdragon | |||
| Model | 800[14] | 805 | ||
| Cores | 4x Krait 400 @ 2.2 GHz | 4x Krait 450 @ 2.5 GHz | ||
| Width | 32-bit | |||
| GPU | Designer | Qualcomm | ||
| Kind | Adreno | |||
| Model | 330 | 420 | ||
| Clock | 450 MHz[14] | 600 MHz[14] | ||
| RAM | 2 GiB | |||
| Storage | Internal | 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB | ||
| External | — | |||
| Camera | Back | — | 8 MP | |
| Front | 1.2 MP HD 720p still and video camera | |||
| Microphone | Yes | |||
| Bluetooth | BT 4.0 + EDR (HID and A2DP profiles only) | |||
| Wireless | Wi-Fi | Dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n | Dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac MIMO + HT80 | |
| +Cellular | adds 4G LTE | |||
| Location | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi based | ||
| +Cellular | adds GPS and aGPS[14][15] | |||
| Proximity | Wi-Fi | — | ||
| +Cellular | Yes | — | ||
| Compass | Wi-Fi | — | ||
| +Cellular | Yes | |||
| Light sensor | Yes | |||
| Accelerometer | ||||
| Gyroscope | ||||
| Barometer | — | |||
| Weight | Wi-Fi | 303 g (10.7 oz) | 374 g (13.2 oz) | 375 g (13.2 oz) |
| +Cellular | 311 g (11.0 oz) | 384 g (13.5 oz) | 389 g (13.7 oz) | |
| Dimensions | 186 mm × 128 mm × 9.0 mm (7.32 in × 5.04 in × 0.35 in) |
231 mm × 158 mm × 7.8 mm (9.09 in × 6.22 in × 0.31 in) | ||
| Battery | 4500[16] mAh | Up to 12 hours | ||
Legend: Old version, not maintained Old version, still maintained Latest version | ||||
The Model number consists of three parts: first the KF prefix for 'Kindle Fire', second one or two letters derived from the code name, third WI for Wi-Fi or WA for cellular interface.
Reception
editEngadget gave the Fire HDX an 85 out of 100, saying that it may be the most compelling case for Amazon's tablet ecosystem. While advanced users may be turned off by the limited app selection, the display's gorgeous color accuracy may make the tablet a good buy for everyone else, especially Amazon Prime members.[17]
PC Magazine gave the Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7" (Wi-Fi) edition 4 out of 5 and rated "Excellent" while following pros were noted: "Sharp screen. Fast processor. Extremely easy to use. Amazing live tech support."[6]
The Fire HDX's screen has high color accuracy and high pixel density at 339 PPI, and as of early 2013 was one of the highest of tablet devices commercially available.[18] However, CNET pointed out that no Google Play access means limited app selection compared to other Android tablets and some users may be bothered by an additional $15 to remove ads on the lock screen, while ads on the home screen can be removed with a system setting.[19]
Timeline
edit| Timeline of Amazon Fire tablet models |
|---|
 Disclaimer: The discontinuation dates may not be precise. |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Kingsley, Adrian (2014-01-27). "Five ways the iPad is lagging behind the Kindle Fire HDX". ZDNet. Archived from the original on January 30, 2014. Retrieved 2014-02-03.
- ^ Jason Hidalgo, RGJ (24 September 2014). "Technobubble: Sizing up Amazon's new Kindle Fire HDX 8.9".
- ^ Wilson Rothman (2013-09-24). "Amazon's Kindle Fire HDX tablets pose real threat to iPad dominance". NBC News.com. Retrieved 2013-09-25.
- ^ "What's new with Amazon's Fire OS 4.0 "Sangria"?". AndroidGuys. Archived from the original on 2017-08-03. Retrieved 2014-09-26.
- ^ "You can downgrade (some) Amazon Fire tablets to Fire OS 4".
- ^ a b Sascha Segan. "Hands On With the New Kindle Fires". PC Magazine. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
- ^ Sascha Segan. "Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7" (Wi-Fi)". PC Magazine. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
- ^ Hughes, Matthew (18 June 2018). "Amazon has discontinued the Mayday button on its Fire tablets". The Next Web. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
- ^ ""Using the Carousel, Favorites, and Content Libraries"Amazon.com Help". Amazon. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
- ^ a b "Fire Tablet Device Specifications: Overview".
- ^ "Help: Kindle Fire HDX Software Update". Amazon. Retrieved 2015-08-05.
- ^ "Help: Kindle Fire HDX 8.9" Software Update". Amazon. Retrieved 2015-08-05.
- ^ "Fire HDX 8.9 (4th Generation) Software Updates". Amazon. Retrieved 2016-11-11.
- ^ a b c d "Device and Feature Specifications - Amazon Apps & Services Developer Portal". developer.amazon.com. Archived from the original on 2015-09-26. Retrieved 2015-11-28.
- ^ "Fire HDX 8.9 product page". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 2015-11-28.
- ^ Kindle Fire HDX 7" (2013-10-14). "Kindle Fire HDX 7" Teardown". iFixit. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Engadget. "The year in reviews: 2013's best and worst gadgets scored and scrutinized". Engadget.com. Retrieved 2013-12-31.
- ^ "Flagship Tablet Display Technology Shoot-Out". Displaymate.com. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
- ^ Franklin, Eric. "Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7 Review - Watch CNET's Video Review". Reviews.cnet.com. Retrieved 2013-11-27.