Amazon announced the Fire HD 8 2022, which is the 12th Gen of the Fire Tablet, on September 21, 2022. You can get your hands on it from October 19.
Fire HD 8 2022 (12th Gen) shares a similar size and design, almost identical display, similar micro SD card support, and identical RAM, compared to the previous generation of Fire HD 8 (Fire HD 2020/10th Gen).
So, what is new in Fire HD 8 2022 (12th Gen) vs Fire HD 8 2020 (10th Gen)?
This Fire tablet buying guide explains the six changes or improvements in the Fire HD 8 2022 (12th Gen) vs Fire HD 8 2020 (10th Gen), including Fire OS 8, a Hexa-core processor, 13-hour battery life, swapped locations for the power and volume buttons, 5MP rear camera for the Plus model, and $10 price hike.
Update: the upgrade model, Fire HD 8 2024 (12th Gen), is now replacing Fire HD 8 2022. However, there is no Plus version in the 2024 release.
1. Fire OS 8
Fire HD 8 2022 (12th Gen) is the second Fire tablet with the latest Fire OS: Fire OS 8.
As explained in this post, Fire 7 2022 (12th Gen) is the first Fire tablet shipped with Fire OS 8.
You can use all new features and improvements in Fire OS 8 with the new Fire HD 8 2022 (12th Gen), e.g.,
- Improved security and privacy options.
- Native screen recorder.
- System-wide dark theme. You may check this guide on how to use and schedule the Dark Theme.
- High-efficiency image file (HIEF) support.
- Restricted background activities
Please note Fire OS 8 does work with the Google Play store. You can sideload Google Play Store on the 12th Gen Fire HD 8, as you did for previous generations of Fire tablets.
You may refer to this guide on how to use the new features in Fire OS 8.
Update: Amazon introduced three generative AI features, Webpage Summaries, Wallpaper Creator, and Writing Assist, with the release of Fire HD 8 2024. You can also use all these AI features on Fire HD 8 2022.
2. Faster processor
Fire HD 8 2022 (12th Gen) is now powered by a 2.0 GHz Hexa-core processor, MediaTek MT8169A. However, this chipset is not well documented. Amazon claims this processor is 30% faster than the quad-core processor (MediaTek MT8168) in the previous generation of Fire HD 8 (Fire HD 8 2020). This may help if you often use the split-screen multi-window features.
Anyway, more CPU cores at the same clock speed will surely make the tablet potentially faster.
The GPU in the latest model is not changed. It is still Mali-G52.
3. Slightly longer battery life
Fire HD 8 2022 (12th Gen) has a battery life of 13 hours. So it is one hour longer than that of the previous gen.
Of course, the actual time you can achieve depends on the apps used, connection conditions, and screen brightness settings. But overall, very few owners complained about the battery life of the Fire tablets.
Although the port in the 12th Gen Fire HD 8 is USB-C, the bundled charger is only 5W for the standard version. 9W charger is only bundled with the Plus version. So, if you want to benefit from the USB-C charging for the standard version, you need to get a new power adapter/charger.
As usual, a wireless charger is NOT included in the Plus version of Fire HD 8 2022. You need to buy it separately or use your existing Qi wireless charger if you want to benefit from the wireless charging for the Plus version.
The Fire HD 8 2022 (12th Gen) design looks similar to the Fire HD 8 2020.
There is a subtle change in the button layout. The location of the power button and volume button was swapped, compared to the previous generation of Fire HD 8.
The new button layout is consistent with the 12th Gen Fire 7. Amazon will likely use this layout in the coming Fire tablet (e.g., Fire HD 10 2023 and Fire Max 11) as well. When you take screenshots with the Power button+Volume down button, you need to pay attention to this change.
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5. 5MP rear camera for the Plus model only
Just like for the previous generation of Fire HD 8, there is a Plus model (Fire HD 8 Plus 2022) with 1GB more RAM and wireless charging support (which is not available for the Fire Max 11).
However, for the 12th Gen, Amazon throws in an upgraded 5MP rear camera for the Plus version.
It would have been better if Amazon had used this camera sensor for the front camera. Very few Fire tablet users rely on the tablet to take photos. But some use the tablet for video/zoom calls frequently.
6. $10 more expensive
Starting from Fire 7 2022, Amazon increased the price of the Fire tablets.
All versions of the 12th Gen Fire HD 8 see a $10 price hike compared to the previous generation of Fire HD 8 with the matching storage option. The 32GB version of the 12th Gen Fire HD 8 is now priced at $99. You need to pay $20 more to get the Plus model and $30 more to get the Kids edition.
However, no other tablets in the market can beat Fire tablets on the “value for money”.
Also, you can always buy the latest Fire tablet at discounted prices during several rounds of promotions each year.
Do you have any questions about the new features and improvements in Fire HD 8 2022 (12th Gen) vs Fire HD 8 2020 (10th Gen)?
If you have any questions about changes and improvements in the 12th Gen of Fire HD 8, please let us know in the comment box below. The community will try to help you.
Detailed information on how to use the Google Play Store on Fire tablets can be found here.
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omgosh, thank you. This article had more good usable information than any other I read about the 12th generation Fire 8+, especially the differences between that and the 2020 10th gen. I’ve had a harder than necessary time weighing which one to get, now at the almost end of 2022. (Which, to me, means the 2020 is obsolete, yes? Or will be soon. Who wants an obsolete brand new tech anything?) Add the cost of the Amazon-only case for the 12th gen, vs. all the others for the 10th, and cost of upgraded charger, and the cost of all the other extra stuff… Just. Thank you. Really. And you pointed out that I can just keep using my old 8th gen Fire until a nice sale comes along on the 2022’s, hopefully in late 2022 or early 2023..
So, thanks for that, too.
You should NEVER buy Amazon devices (including Fire tablets) at the list price unless you need them urgently. Also, once the new model is out, it is not wise to buy the previous gen unless your budget is really very limited or you just want one for your kids.
Almost all Amazon devices are discounted at least a few times each year(Spring sale, Prime Day, Black Friday, and Christmas/new year). Fire 8 2022 (12th) is still “new” and therefore Amazon will unlikely put it on sale for the coming Black Friday/Green Monday (very likely, they will try to use this sale to clear stock for the 10th Gen of Fire HD 8). So, it is better to buy it later.
Also, for Fire tablets, it is usually not necessary to upgrade each generation. For most owners, the tablet can meet their needs for at least 3-5 years.
Please note, Fire OS 8 does NOT work with Google Play Store. If you have to use Google Play Store, you should stick to Fire OS 7.
Our Facebook page || Fire tablet guide || Galaxy S6 Guides || Galaxy S7 Guides || Android Guides || Galaxy S8 Guides || Galaxy S9 Guides || Google Home Guides || Headphone Guides || Galaxy Note Guides || Moto G Guides || Chromecast Guides || Galaxy S10 Guides || Galaxy S20 Guides || Samsung Galaxy S21 Guides || Samsung Galaxy S23 Guides || Samsung Galaxy S23 Guides || Samsung Galaxy S24 Guides || Samsung Galaxy S25 GuidesMy current Fire is gen 7 or 8, I think? I’ve had it since 2017 at least. Thanks again, Simon.
If it still works well and meets your needs, you can wait a while until the current generation gets a good discount. But do not wait until it fails. Then you may have to buy one in a rush and may pay the full price.
Normally, if it is more than about 6-7 years old, you may consider getting a new one and keeping the old one as a backup. If you do not use the Google Play store (for newer Android apps) or play heavy games, you will not notice much performance difference when comparing the current gen with the 6-year-old one.
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