Fire 7 tablet, 7" display, 32 GB, (2019 release), Twilight Blue

First and foremost, FOR THIS PRICE is a great product!! Unbeatable, I must say; it's a lot more that you can expect!! I am surprised this thing is such a high quality product for just few bucks (I bought mine on eBay for $39,99, but later I found it's the same price here at Amazon). AMAZON x100: It is true its operation is 100% based on a Amazon environment, and that its Android OS is a special version (with some limitations); however I use Amazon store and services a lot, so that does not bother me at all. The inconveniences that are annoying for me I have overcome them satisfactorily... TRILLIONS OF ICONS: For example there are tons of Amazon App icons in the main screen that I don't use, and the app they belong to cannot be uninstalled (or at least I haven't found the way to do it). Well you can stop their services so they don't use tablet's resources, and occupy less memory and space that way; but the icons are still there. Also, they are not allowed to be stored in a folder (by long pressing each icon) so you have to deal with that bunch of icons in the main screen, which is very annoying (to my liking). But today I finally discovered a TRICK ;) to store them in a folder (Yeah!), so goodbye to those disturbing icons that I don't use (I just see 1 folder). My screen is already clean now, and only with the Apps that "I" use. AMAZON'S ANDROID: As for the OS limitations, the only one I could not overcome is that I have an annual subscription to Norton antivirus, and I have it installed on my Desktop, Laptop and Smartphone; unfortunately it cannot be installed on Fire 7 (9th gen). Today I contacted Norton technical support and they confirmed it; they say it cannot be installed due to the version of Android that Amazon uses on their tablets, which is limited and also different, with a very specific configuration that meets their tablets. Well instead I installed a free anitvirus that is going well for now (hope it protects me enough). STORAGE: As in every smartphone or tablet, internal memory is a concern of all of us (it quickly gets full); and this Fire 7 is not the exception. However it has 10.63GB for user's available internal storage (of 16GB it comes with) and I still have 8GB and something FREE, but this is because I use a 32GB MicroSD (it accepts up to 512GB) and configured all apps to store things over there. This is a good advice for all smartphone/tablet users. Oh yes, also Amazon gives you 5GB for Free in their cloud for you to store your stuff (pics, docs, music, or whatever you want). That's space you won't use in your Fire's storage so that's a nice gift. BATTERY: The battery life is awesome; what I've tested so far it gave me about 8 hours while Spotify downloaded my entire playlists for offline use. After that I gave it the second charge and have it playing music for about 5 continue hrs and the battery still has 70% remaining. SPAM: There's something that bothers me a bit which is the advertising of Amazon stuff when I unlock the screen. I haven't found how to stop it so after various attempts to get rid of it I ended up accepting to live with it. I just swipe my finger from the bottom of the screen and advertising is quickly gone. KEYBOARD: It can be set in several languages (well that's standard; I just downloaded the Spanish dictionary so it checks my spelling), but something that I liked is that it includes the Swipe method of "writing" (you enter words by sliding a finger from the first letter to the last; you lift only between words). I love that method and have used it in my smartphones for years now so I'm glad I found it here too. MORE TO COME: I'm so excited with my new Fire that I want to explore more functions, for example Alexa, and more other stuff that comes with the tablet. I will find the time for that later, but for now, I am very happy with what I've got. MY CONCLUSION: I am 200% satisfied with this product, I think it works sensational, at a very satisfactory speed. It plays my Spotify and MP3s playlists without problem, pairing it with my JBL Flip 4 speaker was fast and easy (and it sounds spectacular), the WiFi works perfectly, the email configuration was super fast and without problems, etc etc etc. What a good product!! And for this price, even better!!

The speed, display, and weight are good. No issues (this is like our third one).

I replaced a three or four year old Fire 6" with this Fire 7". The 7" is incrementally larger (circa 1/2" taller) but a tad lighter at 10.5 oz. Because it is more streamlined and thinner it "feels" an ounce or two lighter, although it isn't. The new Fire 7" is definitely faster and has a better touch screen. I am sure I will be using it more than I used the 6". This is an inexpensive item so any criticisms need to be viewed in that light - whatever the criticism, it's good for the price and 10-20% the price of a mini iPad. SOFTWARE. "WALLED GARDEN." I was trying to replicate the software apps I used on my iPhone, with a number of problems. While Evernote, Dropbox, Washington Post and WSJ were available, and of course Netflix and HBO, other apps I use were not. The Amazon App store is limited. See next section. SIDE LOAD APPS. "SIDE LOAD IN BRIEF." There is a procedure I had forgotten that you can fairly easily side load some Android apps that are not inside the Amazon Fire App store. For me, these are all functional apps (not games). You go to Settings/Security, and say YES to Apps from Unknown Sources. Then you go to a p k mirror dot com (lots of online articles point to this). You search for the app you want, download it, and answer a few fine print Fire questions like "Download?" "Open?" "Install?" Then the app shows up like a native app on the Fire home screen. There is also some way to install Google Play Store on a Fire, which I haven't done. Apps like New York Times, Flipboard, and Feedly that I use literally all the time, had to be side loaded this way. Other apps like Trello generated error messages on Kindle. Feedly installed but would NOT accept my logon via Google account, the only way I can get into it. Net net, there are some applications like this I couldn't replicate on Fire as on my iPhone. Also I use ONENOTE on ipad and iphone but not Fire. I had to use a different podcast app on Fire than on my iPhone (podcast addict). Remember that for some things with no Fire app you can resort to the browser and a bookmark (e.g. Trello). (In addition to the method cited here, there is some way to install the actual Google Play Store, see online articles and training videos). MEMORY CARD. It REJECTED a micro SDHC card I'd been using in my Windows laptop. I got a new micro SDHC card and it recognized it out of the box, but asked me with a popup dialog if I wanted to (A) specially format it for Fire use only, or (B) use it as a transfer card. This new card generated an error warning in my Windows 10 laptop, but it worked OK anyway. I transferred ten H264 movies and Fire read them fine. I accessed them with a free Fire app store app, File Commander. I understand you can also access memory card movies via (A) Video > Options > Personal Videos (sometimes I can't find this path) or (B) via an app called My Videos. File Commander is easiest. SCREEN. "DECENT." it's good, but for the two digit price don't expect a retina screen like on some $500 tablet. It's fine for me for video, some fine print apps like Washington Post text looked distinctly grainy though. It makes a good eReader; weighing 10.5 oz versus my Paperwhite 7 oz. INITIATING. "FROZE!!" A "D" for the out of box experience. After several initiation steps, finding wifi, and downloaded an update, my Fire froze in "JUST A SEC" mode for over an hour. This is common (see Google); you have to hold down the power button for 30 sec for a reboot. On rebooting, I got the JUST A SEC screen a few times, but only for a few seconds. SUMMARY. Some bugs due to the limited app library, but a good tablet for the price and it's gotten much better compared to 3 years ago.

I bought this product before it was officially released to replace a Generation 1 Fire Tablet that I purchased several years ago. The original is actually still in use; I keep it bedside to read books and play the occasional game when I can't sleep. This new version of the tablet is excellent. The value for the money is significant. The upgraded OS is compatible with so many different apps. The display is crisp and clean, and the speed at which it processes commands is fast. What I find most handy is that I can walk up to it, even when it's asleep, and issue an Alexa command and it will transmit it immediately. The new version is much lighter and better constructed, and I love the new case. If this one lasts as long as the original, I'll be quite happy! UPDATED 04/25/2020: My first review didn't mention battery life... the battery life on this unit is questionable. If you use it at all each day, you'll want to charge it every evening. Even if you don't use it, the battery drains at an alarming rate. I finally bit the bullet and paid the $15.00 plus tax to get rid of the ads, and I've found that actually helped to extend battery life somewhat. While Amazon has a wide variety of apps available for the Fire, unfortunately some of the apps and games I really wanted to use aren't available. I did a bit of research online, and quickly learned that I could turn off one security settings, download and install 4 files, and then have full access to the Google Play store and all of it's apps. The whole process took about 5 minutes, and the value it added to this device is phenomenal! This has become my go to device, replacing an aging iPad. I can't believe how easy the process was, and I highly recommend it to anyone who needs access to more than the Fire store has to offer. Be aware that this hack may invalidate or impact Amazon's warranty for the device, but for me, the ability to open the device to a realm of new functionality is well worth the risk.

Excellent for little ones when you just don’t want to spend for an iPad

I’ve owned this tablet for almost two months now (I didn’t buy it directly from amazon, but through Best Buy because of the great back to school sale price lol as if the price point wasn’t good enough!) and it has been amazing! I have used this tablet daily for just about everything: surfing the web, listening to music, watching videos, gaming... It is so useful and has become a staple in my day to day activities. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of this tablet, I was expecting it to be pretty cheap at only about $50 but since I mainly wanted it for simple daily tasks I didn’t want to spend a fortune on it. And this fit what I needed perfectly! Better than I was expecting. The screen is great everything looks clear and bright, although the glass is very reflective and leaves finger prints but it was easily fixed with a matte anti glare/anti fingerprint screen protector. The audio is also very good and clear. It runs surprisingly fast, I was expecting it to be a bit slow and laggy when surfing the net or especially when gaming such as Minecraft etc. but I haven’t had a problem with speed. It’s very responsive, honestly it’s as fast as my iPhone. The colors are a big bonus. I love the unique selection, I got the sage green and it’s beautiful! Exactly as pictured. It was actually one of the main selling points that made me decide to try this tablet was because of the visual appeal, it’s nice to have a nice classy pop of color rather than a stereotypical gray or black device. I would love to see a blush pink color option added in the future but that’s just wishful thinking. It’s a good size too, easy to carry in my bag on the go, but still big enough to game and watch videos comfortably. It’s about the size of your average paperback book just slightly narrower. I also like that you can have multiple sign on accounts and kid accounts. The restrictions and curfew settings are pretty great and would make a great family device, or for those like me who like to keep themselves accountable. I also like that you can increase the existing internal storage with a micro SD card. Now as for cons, I don’t have any big ones, at least they are not deal breakers. My only complaints are these 4 things: 1. the battery does charge slowly, (the only reason I gave 4 stars for the battery) it usually takes a couple hours to charge, but it’s not too much of a hinderance. The battery life is pretty good, it lasts a while and I always get a few solid hours use before the battery starts getting low. 2. The tablet starts to get hot after extended use. Since it has a plastic backing it gets a wee bit hot to the touch especially if it’s in a case, but again it’s not that big of a deal and it does cool down fast once I turn it off. 3. More of a wish than a con but I wish it was procreate/photoshop compatible and that procreate or photoshop were available in the AppStore not just knockoffs. As an artist myself I would love to be able to do digital art on this, or if Amazon came out with a tablet and pencil specifically for art I would totally be down. I would prefer not to spend $1000+ on the iPad Pro just for my art. 4. Again another wish rather than an actual con but I wish the newly released Call of Duty Mobile app was available in the Amazon AppStore. Actually I really wish they had more of a selection of apps, there’s precious little, if any, of the actual big name games and apps available, most of them are just knock offs. Over all I love my Fire 7 it’s a great tablet, can’t beat the quality for price point.

Purchasing the Fire 7 Tablet was not so much of a mistake due to what the device is currently being used for, as it has been serving its purpose. But it hasn't been the greatest experience thus far. The primary use for this tablet is to act as a remote control for my Home Assistant platform that's built into my smart home. I would NOT recommend this tablet to use as your remote control for your Home Assistant platform. Here's why... First, upon initially unboxing the device and setting it up, I noticed that the Google Play Store was not pre-installed. This was a HUGE problem due to requiring the Play Store to download Home Assistant. I searched for about 10 minutes to try to locate anything similar to an application store, but sadly found nothing. This resulted in me having to get technical, go in the back way, and install the Play Store in order to download Home Assistant to control my home. Second, we'll cover the display of the tablet. The quality of the screen is treacherous, with a bezel that is just about an inch, the size is more like 6 inches. This tablet includes a standard IPS display. What is IPS, you may ask? IPS stands for in-plane switching, a common type of LED (a form of LCD) display panel technology. One of the main reasons I purchased this device was to take advantage of the IPS display's faster response times so that my guests can feel more in control of the devices they are operating via the tablet. Due to the preloaded ads and applications on the tablet itself, quick response times are not even imaginable. There have actually been several occasions where a tap to the screen did absolutely nothing, as the tablet remained non-responsive. Not to mention, the "glass" part of the screen feels a bit like cheap plastic material that may easily be damaged if treated improperly. Lastly, we'll discuss the battery of the device and the quality and life it holds. There's really not much to state about the battery other than it's not all that great. When initially searching for this tablet, I wanted something that would stay charged for long periods of time, in case I have guests stay over and they needed to utilize the tablet to control my home. To be frank, the device basically lives on its charger, and can only be off of the charger for short periods of time (while being used) prior to the battery dying. TIP: Do NOT purchase the tablet that includes ads on the lock screen. Yes, it's priced lower than the one without, but the ads are super annoying and only cause the tablet to lag when attempting to perform simple actions such as unlocking the screen.

The Bottom Line Up Front: After a decade of reviewing tech products from budget to premium, I can confidently say the Fire 7 (2019) is the best value proposition in the tablet market. It's not trying to compete with iPads or high-end Android tablets - and that's exactly why it succeeds. For casual media consumption, kids' content, e-reading, and light browsing, this delivers 80% of what most people need for about 15% of the cost. Just understand its limitations going in. What I Loved (PROS): Unbeatable Value Proposition - Let's address the elephant in the room: this tablet regularly sells for around $50-60. For that price, you're getting a fully functional tablet with a decent display, access to thousands of apps, and Amazon's ecosystem. The price-to-performance ratio is genuinely remarkable. Perfect Kids' First Tablet - This is the sweet spot for children ages 4-10. It's affordable enough that you won't panic when (not if) they drop it. Pair it with a kid-proof case and you have a worry-free entertainment solution. I've tested this with multiple families - parents love not stressing about an expensive device. Surprisingly Decent Screen for the Price - The 7" 1024x600 IPS display isn't winning any awards, but it's perfectly adequate for watching videos, reading books, and playing games. Colors are reasonably vibrant, viewing angles are acceptable, and the size is ideal for portability. Battery Life Exceeds Expectations - Amazon claims 7 hours of mixed use, and in real-world testing I consistently got 6-8 hours depending on usage. For a budget tablet, this is excellent. Road trips, flights, and long waiting rooms are no problem. Lightweight & Genuinely Portable - At just 10.2 oz, this is lighter than most hardcover books. It slips into purses, backpacks, and even large jacket pockets. It's become my go-to travel tablet because I don't worry about it getting damaged or stolen. Expandable Storage Saves the Day - The microSD slot (up to 512GB) is crucial because 16GB fills up fast. With a $15 microSD card, you can download tons of content for offline viewing. This feature alone makes the tablet far more practical. Alexa Hands-Free is Surprisingly Useful - "Alexa, play Bluey on Prime Video" works seamlessly. For kids who can't type well or adults cooking in the kitchen, voice control is more useful than I expected. It also functions as a smart display for checking weather, timers, etc. Access to Amazon's Full Ecosystem - Prime Video, Kindle books, Audible, Amazon Music, FreeTime Unlimited for kids - if you're already in Amazon's ecosystem, this integrates beautifully. The seamless content delivery is a major advantage. Twilight Blue Color is Attractive - The soft blue finish looks more premium than the price suggests. It's pleasant to look at and less prone to showing fingerprints than darker colors. What Could Be Better (CONS): Performance is Adequate, Not Amazing - The 1.3GHz quad-core processor handles basic tasks fine, but you'll notice lag with heavier apps, multitasking, or graphic-intensive games. Apps take 2-3 seconds longer to open than on premium tablets. If you're used to flagship devices, adjust expectations. 16GB Fills Up FAST - After the OS and pre-installed apps, you have maybe 10-11GB usable. Download a few shows and some apps, and you're full. The microSD card slot is mandatory, not optional. Budget an extra $10-20 for storage. Camera is Basically a Placeholder - The 2MP rear and VGA front cameras are 2010-level quality. They work for video calls in good lighting, but forget about taking photos you'd actually want to keep. This is for emergency use only. App Selection More Limited Than Android/iOS - While Amazon's App Store has grown significantly, you won't find every app available on Google Play or the Apple App Store. Major apps are there (Netflix, YouTube, Spotify) but some niche apps aren't available. Check for your must-have apps before buying. Not Ideal for Productivity - This is a consumption device, not a creation device. Typing documents, editing photos, or serious work tasks are frustrating on this hardware. It's for watching, reading, and light browsing - nothing more. Charging Port is Outdated Micro-USB - In 2019 (and certainly now), micro-USB feels ancient compared to USB-C. It charges slower and the port wears out faster. Keep the cable in good condition and consider buying a backup. Lock Screen Ads are Annoying - Amazon subsidizes the low price with "special offers" (ads) on the lock screen. You can pay $15 to remove them, but it's an irritating upsell on an already-budget device. The ads aren't terrible, just unnecessary friction. Build Quality Feels Budget - The plastic construction is solid enough but definitely feels like a $50 tablet. There's some flex to the body, and it doesn't inspire confidence without a protective case. Plan on buying a case immediately. My Professional Assessment: I've reviewed tablets ranging from $50 to $1,500, and the Fire 7 is a masterclass in knowing your lane and staying in it. Amazon isn't trying to build an iPad competitor - they're building a content delivery vehicle that happens to be a tablet. Once you understand that perspective, everything makes sense. This tablet excels at exactly what it's designed for: getting Amazon content into your hands cheaply and reliably. It's a Kindle that also plays videos and runs apps. That's not a criticism - it's brilliant product positioning. Real-World Use Cases Where This Excels: Kids' Entertainment Device - Pair with FreeTime Unlimited and a protective case. Perfect solution for car trips, restaurants, and keeping kids occupied. Low cost means low stress. Bedroom Streaming Device - Keep it on your nightstand for watching shows before bed. I prefer this over using my phone because it doesn't disturb my partner with notifications. Kitchen Recipe Display - Alexa integration + decent screen size makes this ideal for following recipes. Spill something on it? $50 replacement isn't heartbreaking. Travel Companion - Load up a microSD card with downloaded content. The small size and light weight make it perfect for flights, hotels, and beach trips. If it gets lost/stolen/damaged, you're not out $500+. E-Reading - While dedicated Kindles are better for extended reading, this works beautifully for magazines, comics, and shorter reading sessions where you want the color display. Elderly/Non-Tech-Savvy Users - The simplicity and Alexa voice control make this surprisingly good for seniors who want something straightforward for video calls with grandkids and watching shows. Testing Notes (6+ Months of Use): I've used this tablet extensively in various scenarios: Video streaming: Smooth playback on Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube. Occasional buffering on lower-quality WiFi. Gaming: Casual games (Candy Crush, puzzles) work fine. Anything 3D or action-heavy shows the hardware limitations. E-reading: Comfortable for 30-60 minute sessions. Longer than that, I'd prefer an e-ink Kindle. Web browsing: Works but pages with heavy graphics load slowly. Fine for checking email or reading articles. Durability: After 6 months with kids handling it (in a case), zero hardware failures. Scratches on the screen but fully functional. Who Should Buy This: Parents looking for a kids' tablet that won't break the bank Amazon Prime members who consume lots of Amazon content Budget-conscious buyers needing basic tablet functionality Travelers wanting a secondary device they won't stress about Elderly users or tech beginners wanting something simple Anyone needing a dedicated e-reader with some extra capabilities College students on tight budgets needing something for streaming/reading People buying their first tablet to "see if they'd use one" Who Should Skip This: Power users needing premium performance Mobile gamers wanting to play demanding games Professional users needing productivity capabilities Photography enthusiasts needing a decent camera Anyone expecting iPad-level performance and polish Users who need specific apps only available on iOS/Android People with no Amazon Prime membership (less value) Critical Setup Tips: Buy a MicroSD Card Immediately - 64GB cards are $10-15. Get one before you even start using the tablet. You'll thank me. Invest in a Good Case - The tablet itself is cheap; protect your investment with a $15-20 kid-proof case. The MENZO case (I reviewed separately) is excellent. Remove Lock Screen Ads - If ads bother you, pay the $15 to remove "special offers" right away. It improves the experience noticeably. Set Up Alexa Properly - Take 10 minutes to train Alexa to your voice and set up your preferences. It transforms usability. Download Content When on WiFi - Before trips, download shows/books. The offline capabilities make this tablet 10x more useful. Adjust Expectations - This is not a premium tablet. Accept the limitations and focus on what it does well. The 16GB vs 32GB Debate: The 32GB version costs about $20-30 more. My recommendation? Save the money and buy a microSD card instead. You'll get more storage for less money, and you can upgrade the card later if needed. Final Verdict: The Fire 7 (2019) isn't the best tablet on the market - but it might be the smartest tablet purchase you can make. It succeeds not by competing with premium devices but by delivering exceptional value at a price point that makes tablet ownership accessible to everyone. After six months of testing, I've found myself reaching for this tablet more than I expected. Not because it's the most powerful or feature-rich, but because it's adequate for most tasks and I don't stress about using it in situations where a $500 iPad would make me nervous. Is it perfect? No. Will it frustrate users coming from premium devices? Occasionally. But will it deliver hundreds of hours of entertainment, reading, and utility for the price of two movie tickets? Absolutely. Would I buy it again? Yes, and I'd probably buy two - one for travel and one for the kitchen. Recommendation: STRONG BUY for the right use cases ✅ But seriously, buy a case and microSD card with it.