Amazon Hearth 7 (2022) evaluation: You do not get a lot for $60

If you would like a pill only for looking the web, watching movies and enjoying video games, you received’t want something fancy. Amazon’s Hearth tablets are precisely that. Most of them are underneath $200, and the Fire 7, which has been up to date for 2022, begins at simply $60 ($75 should you don’t need advertisements on the lock display screen). It gives upgraded internals, in addition to Amazon’s Hearth OS 8, which provides minor enhancements like a darkish mode. But, it nonetheless suffers from lots of the similar limitations that plagued older fashions, like the dearth of Google apps.

Up to date {hardware}

The 2022 Hearth 7 pill has 2GB of RAM (double that of earlier era) and is powered by the identical quad-core 2.0GHz processor because the Hearth HD 8. Amazon additionally guarantees longer battery life and, importantly, now makes use of a USB-C port as a substitute of micro-USB. That alone makes this well worth the improve, since USB-C is quick turning into the brand new charging normal.

Execs

• USB-C charging
• Lengthy battery life
• Palms-free Alexa
• Reasonably priced

Cons

• Nonetheless no Google apps
• Poor show high quality
• Sluggish efficiency

Apart from that, the general feel and appear of the Hearth 7 is unchanged. It’s made out of plastic, with thick bezels surrounding its 7-inch show. But, it does really feel sturdy. I additionally didn’t thoughts the bezels, as they gave me room to grip the pill with out unintentionally launching apps.

The display screen is likely one of the greater disappointments with the Hearth 7, although. Its 1,024 by 600 decision simply seems to be terribly uninteresting, with fuzzy photographs and muddy colours. Even for a funds pill – and granted, there aren’t that many on this value vary – a show that’s lower than full HD these days appears outdated.

The remainder of the Hearth 7’s {hardware} is identical as its predecessor. It has 2-megapixel cameras on the entrance and rear, 16 or 32GB of built-in storage (expandable as much as 1TB with microSD card) and a 3.5mm headphone jack. As anticipated, the digital camera high quality isn’t spectacular, but it surely’ll work for a fast video chat. Simply don’t count on to make use of it for precise images, except you’re actually into tremendous grainy, washed out photographs.

Engadget

Meh efficiency, however stable battery life

Although the brand new Hearth 7 has extra RAM and a quad-core 2.0GHz processor, don’t count on lightning-fast efficiency. Navigating the Hearth OS interface feels clean for essentially the most half, but it surely’s nonetheless sluggish at instances. I skilled some lag when switching apps and scrolling via Instagram, for instance. It could actually deal with fundamental duties like checking e-mail, however the Hearth 7 received’t be as quick as trendy smartphones.

My favourite factor in regards to the new Hearth 7 is its lengthy battery life. Amazon says it ought to last as long as 10 hours on a cost, however after all that relies on how you employ it. Within the standard battery check we run for Android units (the place we play a regionally saved video on loop), the Hearth 7 lasted for shut to fifteen hours. I largely used it to observe Prime movies, learn books on the Kindle app, verify Instagram and Twitter, and play a couple of rounds of Sweet Crush Saga. After a number of days of occasional use (an hour or so a day for per week), the Hearth 7 nonetheless has round 48 % battery. I ought to be aware, nevertheless, that the Hearth 7 doesn’t supply wi-fi or fast-charging. It comes with a 5W charger, which took round 4 hours to prime up the battery. 

New software program, however similar ol points

The Hearth 7 comes with Hearth OS 8, which adds Android 11 features like a system-wide darkish theme. But, the interface seems to be the identical. Like all different Hearth tablets, it runs Amazon’s proprietary pores and skin that compelled me to make use of Amazon-approved apps slightly than ones from the Google Play Retailer. As somebody who depends loads on Google apps, I used to be pissed off by this. As a substitute of the native model of Gmail or YouTube, for instance, I had to make use of inferior third-party apps that simply didn’t look or really feel as intuitive.

Should you’re an Amazon die-hard, nevertheless, you’ll profit from Hearth OS. As quickly as I logged in, all of my favourite Amazon content material confirmed up on the house display screen, like TV reveals on Prime Video, personalised suggestions on Kindle Limitless, recommended Audible books based mostly on my purchases and extra.

After all, the caveat is that you just received’t be capable of delete Amazon-related apps like Kindle, Goodreads and Prime Video. Plus, you received’t see suggestions for reveals and content material that’s not on Amazon – no Netflix ideas, for instance. It is sensible that Amazon would push its personal companies, but it surely’s nonetheless annoying.

Like different Amazon merchandise, the Hearth 7 options hands-free Alexa, which makes controlling my sensible house units simpler. It’s additionally useful for getting the climate forecast, the most recent sports activities scores or solutions to random trivia questions.

Amazon

Wrap-up

The factor you must find out about Hearth tablets is that they aren’t typical Android units – you’ll have to sideload the Google Play Retailer, for instance, if you wish to use Google apps. Amazon’s proprietary interface prioritizes its personal apps like Prime Video and Kindle over others. However should you already closely depend on Amazon companies, I can see how the Fire 7 is likely to be tempting – it delivers an Amazon-curated expertise for reasonable.

Sadly, if you’d like a pill within the $60 value vary, you don’t have many non-Amazon choices. Two of the extra inexpensive non-Amazon tablets right now look like the Lenovo Tab M7 (beginning at $96) and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (beginning at $100). We haven’t reviewed them simply but, however each at the least allow you to use Google apps with out resorting to third-party choices.

Should you’re lifeless set on a funds Hearth pill, I really suggest the Fire HD 8 as a substitute. It has a superior HD show, longer battery life and wi-fi charging. It additionally helps Present Mode, which principally turns it into a conveyable Echo Present. At $90 (with advertisements), it’s $30 greater than the Hearth 7, however I feel it’s properly price the additional value.