The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus is one of Amazon’s most affordable tablets, aimed at providing users with a solid media experience for streaming, reading, and light gaming. Released in 2020, the Fire HD 8 Plus includes some extra features compared to the regular Fire HD 8, like wireless charging, more RAM (3GB), and slightly faster performance. However, despite its affordability and popularity, users have encountered several issues and bugs that can impact the overall experience.
This article will dive deep into the most common problems faced by Fire HD 8 Plus owners and provide insight into whether it’s still worth purchasing, especially with newer models and alternatives available on the market.
1. Performance Issues: Lag and Slow Response Times
One of the primary complaints from users about the Fire HD 8 Plus is performance-related issues. Despite the 3GB of RAM and the MediaTek MT8168 processor, the tablet can feel sluggish during regular use, especially when running multiple apps or switching between tasks.
Common performance complaints include:
- Lagging while multitasking: Users report that opening multiple apps at once, especially while streaming or reading, can cause significant slowdowns.
- Slow app loading times: Apps, especially heavier ones like streaming services or games, take noticeably longer to load than on other devices.
- Freezing during video playback: Some users experience freezes or stutters when watching videos, particularly when streaming on platforms like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.
Potential solutions:
- Close background apps: Limiting the number of apps running in the background can help improve overall performance.
- Restart the tablet regularly: A simple reboot can help clear temporary files and improve responsiveness.
- Keep the tablet’s software up to date, as Amazon periodically releases performance patches.
User experience:
“The tablet is fine for reading and streaming, but as soon as I try to switch between apps, it starts lagging badly. It’s especially frustrating when I’m trying to do more than one thing at a time.” — Anna P., Fire HD 8 Plus user.
2. Battery Drain and Charging Problems
The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus comes with a 4,850mAh battery, which promises up to 12 hours of battery life. However, several users have reported issues related to battery drain and charging problems.
Common battery and charging issues include:
- Faster-than-expected battery drain, particularly when using streaming apps or browsing the web.
- Slow charging speeds, especially when not using the provided 9W charger.
- Issues with wireless charging, where the tablet does not properly align with charging pads or charges very slowly.
Workarounds:
- Use Battery Saver mode to reduce power consumption and extend battery life.
- Make sure to use the official charger and cable, as third-party accessories may charge the device slower.
- Ensure the wireless charging pad is properly aligned with the tablet’s coil. Misalignment can cause the charging process to slow down or stop altogether.
User complaint:
“The battery life is nowhere near what Amazon claims. I watch Netflix for a few hours, and the battery is already halfway gone. Charging it wirelessly also takes forever, so I don’t even bother anymore.” — Mark L., Fire HD 8 Plus owner.
3. Display Problems: Brightness, Responsiveness, and Ghost Touch
The 8-inch HD display on the Fire HD 8 Plus is designed to provide a decent viewing experience for streaming and reading, but users have reported a variety of issues with the screen’s brightness and touch sensitivity.
Common display issues include:
- Dim screen even at maximum brightness: Users complain that the screen is not bright enough, especially in outdoor or well-lit environments.
- Unresponsive touch inputs: At times, the screen doesn’t register touch inputs properly, forcing users to tap multiple times to get a response.
- Ghost touch issues, where the screen registers inputs that weren’t made by the user.
Possible solutions:
- Adjust the screen brightness settings manually, as the automatic brightness feature may not always work as expected.
- Clean the screen regularly to ensure it is free from dust or fingerprints, which can affect touch sensitivity.
- Reset the tablet’s display settings to default if you experience persistent ghost touch issues.
User feedback:
“The screen is too dim for my liking. Even at full brightness, it’s hard to see in bright rooms, and sometimes it doesn’t even respond to my touch. I have to tap multiple times just to open an app.” — Carla M., Fire HD 8 Plus user.
4. App Compatibility and Software Glitches
Amazon’s Fire tablets run on Fire OS, which is a customized version of Android designed specifically for Amazon’s ecosystem. While this is convenient for those who heavily use Amazon’s services (Prime Video, Kindle, Alexa), it comes with its own limitations. Users have noted issues with app compatibility and software glitches.
Common software problems include:
- Limited access to the Google Play Store: The tablet relies on Amazon’s Appstore, which doesn’t offer the same variety or quality of apps as the Google Play Store.
- App crashes or freezes, particularly with third-party apps like YouTube, Hulu, or Zoom.
- Software updates causing bugs: After certain Fire OS updates, some users have experienced issues with app performance or the overall stability of the system.
Workarounds:
- Sideload Google Play Store: Although not officially supported, users can install the Google Play Store on their Fire HD 8 Plus to access a wider range of apps.
- Ensure your apps are up-to-date and compatible with the current version of Fire OS.
- If apps frequently crash, clear the app cache or uninstall and reinstall the affected app.
User experience:
“I love using the tablet for Prime Video and Kindle, but the app selection in the Amazon store is really limited. Some of my favorite apps from the Google Play Store aren’t available, and I’ve had issues with apps crashing after updates.” — Jared K., Fire HD 8 Plus user.
5. Audio and Speaker Issues
The Fire HD 8 Plus comes equipped with dual speakers and supports Dolby Atmos, which should theoretically provide a good audio experience for media consumption. However, users have reported various audio issues with the tablet’s speakers and headphones.
Common audio problems include:
- Low speaker volume, even at maximum settings, making it difficult to hear audio clearly.
- Crackling or distorted sound, particularly at higher volumes.
- Issues with Bluetooth audio devices, where the connection drops or sound quality decreases over time.
Potential fixes:
- Use headphones or external speakers to improve audio clarity.
- Restart the tablet if audio issues occur after connecting to a Bluetooth device.
- If using Bluetooth headphones, try resetting the Bluetooth connection or pairing the device again.
User complaint:
“The speakers are too quiet, even at full volume. Watching movies or listening to music without headphones is frustrating because I can barely hear what’s going on.” — David W., Fire HD 8 Plus user.
6. Wi-Fi and Connectivity Issues
A number of users have reported Wi-Fi connectivity issues with the Fire HD 8 Plus, especially in areas where signal strength is weak. Problems with maintaining a stable connection can affect streaming, browsing, and downloading apps or content.
Common connectivity issues include:
- Frequent Wi-Fi drops or weak signal reception, even when other devices in the same location have no issues.
- Slow download speeds despite having a strong Wi-Fi signal.
- Problems with connecting to certain routers, requiring frequent reboots of the tablet or router.
Possible solutions:
- Reset the network settings on the tablet and reconnect to your Wi-Fi network.
- Restart the router if the tablet frequently drops the connection.
- If the issue persists, try connecting the tablet to a different Wi-Fi network to see if the problem is network-specific.
User feedback:
“My Fire HD 8 Plus often drops the Wi-Fi connection, even when my phone and laptop are working just fine. It’s especially annoying when I’m trying to watch something, and it just stops loading.” — Emily R., Fire HD 8 Plus user.
Conclusion: Is the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus Worth Buying?
The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus is a budget-friendly tablet that excels at media consumption, particularly for those deeply invested in Amazon’s ecosystem. With its Alexa integration, wireless charging, and decent performance for basic tasks like reading and streaming, it offers solid value for its price.
However, it is not without significant drawbacks. Performance slowdowns, display issues, and limited app compatibility are frequent complaints from users. The battery drain and Wi-Fi connectivity problems further detract from the overall user experience, especially for those who expect more robust performance.
If you are primarily looking for a tablet to consume Amazon’s services (Prime Video, Kindle, Alexa), the Fire HD 8 Plus remains a good option for the price. But if you need a more versatile device for multitasking, gaming, or productivity, there are better alternatives available.
Recommended Alternatives:
- Samsung Galaxy Tab A7: A more powerful and versatile Android tablet with a larger display, better performance, and access to the Google Play Store.
- Lenovo Tab M8: Offers a similar size and price point but with better app compatibility and more reliable performance.
- Apple iPad 9th Gen: A pricier alternative, but it offers better performance, app selection, and build quality, making it a more future-proof investment.