Kindle Fire HD 2
Verdict
Key specs
Critic consensus
“Sure, its specs sheet is so last year, so it isn’t the fastest thing on the block. Plus, there isn’t any kind of camera on board with this, which kind of limits its functionality. However, once you’re able to overlook those two blatant concerns, what we have here is a tablet that allows us to access and complete all the basic tasks we’d expect to find on any tablet. From sending out emails, surfing the web, and even streaming video via Amazon Instant Video, it can do nearly all the same things that the spiffier Amazon Kindle Fire HDX can do.”
“The Fire HD feels like a step backwards from the model it replaces: there's no camera, no HDMI output, half the storage and shorter battery life. It's faster, though, and has a slicker operating system. But you're still limited to Amazon's app store which lacks the choice you get with Google Play.”
“The Fire HD feels like a step backwards from the model it replaces: there's no camera, no HDMI output, half the storage and shorter battery life. It's faster, though, and has a slicker operating system. But you're still limited to Amazon's app store which lacks the choice you get with Google Play.”
“The appeal of the Kindle Fire HD will really depend on your needs and expectations. As a simple bare-bones tablet to read books on, stream movies, TV shows, and music, or surf the Web, it gets the job done. If you have a more demanding job for it, however, you'll want to set your sights higher.First off, if you plan to store HD movies or TV shows, you'll want to look first at the 16GB version of the tablet. However, even then, you may still run into headaches. If you do a lot of traveling, but don't have constant access to Wi-Fi, and want to take your videos with you, the 32GB Fire HDX should be your first stop. It's $269, but if your needs match up, it's worth the extra money to avoid the headaches.”
In Depth
Like it’s predecessor, the Kindle Fire HD 2 offers 800 x 1280 resolution. Although HD, experts note that it still falls short of displays like the Nexus 7.
The processor has been upgraded to a 1.5GHz dual-core although the RAM stays the same at 1GB and onboard storage remains limited at 16GB. Latino Post notes the faster processor leads to a shorter battery life in this model – clocking in at 10 hours of mixed use versus the 11 hours of the previous generation.
While the display and specs have mostly remained the same, The Verge notes the Fire HD 2 has a much more pleasing design with its beveled edges and back-mounted controls. It is also thinner and lighter than its predecessor. The tablet measures in at 7.5″ X 5.0″ X 0.42″ inches and weighs 345 grams (12.2 oz).
Unlike its HDX siblings, this Kindle does not offer the Mayday live tech support button as it does not have a forward facing camera or microphone. It does, however, give Amazon Prime members the ability to download Prime Instant Videos so members can watch movies without the need for internet access.
Despite its low cost, Latino Post notes that the tablet itself is “worse than its previous generation.” On the other hand, Technobuffalo mentions that the new design and emphasis on software to Amazon’s content makes this tablet “great.”
What people actually want to know
When was the Kindle Fire HD 2 released?
The Kindle Fire HD 2 was released on October 2, 2013.
Does the Kindle Fire HD 2 support wireless charging?
No, the Kindle Fire HD 2 does not support wireless charging.
Does the Kindle Fire HD 2 have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Kindle Fire HD 2 has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Does the Kindle Fire HD 2 have NFC?
No, the Kindle Fire HD 2 does not have NFC. Contactless payments and tap-to-pair will not be available.
Questions & answers
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