What's good
- High resolution screen with 100% color accuracy
- Excellent processing speed
- Lightweight
What's bad
- Somewhat awkward button layout
- Lack of UI customization
- Lack of Google Play access
The Kindle Fire HDX offers many of the same features as the HDX 8.9” in a smaller package. While the larger HDX 8.9” does have a slightly higher resolution, most reviewers agree that this HDX still offers excellent resolution with the 1920×1200 display and also offers 100% color accuracy. Aside from the quality, Amazon also touts that the screen offers reduced glare. Engadget notes, however, that the display is actually quite glossy and can lead to issues with readability in bright light.
Thanks to a 2.2 GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM, processing was smooth according to most. Gizmodo goes so far as to say that running anything on the HDX “is as pleasant as it is buttery smooth.”
High praises are also given by reviewers for the overall design and feel. With the first generation Kindle Fire, many found the button placement awkward. This new model seems to solve those problems by repositioning the buttons. Gigaom mentions that the power and volume buttons are easy to use even with one hand. In addition, this tablet is also much lighter than its predecessors, weighing in at 303 grams (10.7 ounces) for the WiFi only version.
For the most part, there are very few complaints. Despite improvements with some design issues, Gizmodo notes that there still are a few quirks with the button layout and an oddly angled microUSB port. One of the main drawbacks, however, is that it runs on its own OS Fire 3.0 Mojito. The new OS does offer more features; however Techland and others noticed a lack of customization in the UI; most notably the fact that it does not support desktop widgets. In addition, the Kindle does not offer access to the Google Play store.
Despite a few drawbacks, most reviewers agree that the Kindle Fire HDX is a very solid tablet. Techcrunch notes that as “general-purpose media device, it’s great.”
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Kob Monney, What Hi-FiWith its fantastic screen, fast navigation and excellent multimedia performance, the Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7 is a fantastic tablet that impresses in so many ways but fails in one big one: choice.The closed nature of the Amazon ecosystem makes us long for the airy openness of Google Play, with its w...
- Brandon Russell, TechnoBuffaloFor what it’s designed to do, the Kindle Fire HDX is a superstar. Amazon has always used its products to shuttle consumers to its online ecosystem, and the HDX is no different—but that’s not a bad thing at all. If you’re familiar with Amazon products, you’ll find the co...
- Michael Grothaus, Know Your MobileThis isn’t a tablet for power users or content creators. This is a tablet for someone who lives in Amazon’s ecosystem. Maybe they already have a Kindle ereader and a large selection of Kindle books. If so, this is the perfect tablet for them. And given the new Mayday Amazon Tech help fea...
- Gareth Beavis, TechRadarFor the right kind of customer, the Kindle Fire HDX is the perfect tablet. And who is that customer? Someone who doesn't want to much more than consume content on their tablet.For the customisation you give up, you gain simplicity and ease of use. We'd like to call this the sort of tablet you give t...
- Axel Mendy, Digital VersusThe Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7" is a good-quality tablet, offering great performances, smooth and speedy operation, plus one of the best displays in the current mobile device market. However, it's held back by the restrictive OS that puts Amazon and its various services at the heart of the device. Thi...
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