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Apr 15, 2024 · One of the main differences between Amazon Kindle and Amazon Fire tablets is the use case. As mentioned before, Kindle tablets are focused on e-reading, so they offer features that make reading comfortable. In contrast, Fire tablets are for portable entertainment devices that are more versatile.
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By Tom Bedford
last updated 14 July 2022
What's the difference between the Amazon Kindle and Amazon Fire tablet ranges?
(Image credit: Amazon / TechRadar)
Despite some naming overlap in the last, the Amazon Kindle and Amazon Fire lines of tablets are two completely separate things, and if you're looking to buy either from the company going to need to know the difference between them.
There are three different types of Amazon Kindle device: the basic version, that's just called that, then the Kindle Paperwhite which is the mid-range device with more storage, a sharper screen and an IP rating, and the Kindle Oasis, which has a premium metal design, even more storage and a bigger display.
Each of those devices costs a bit more than the model below it, and each gets an updated version every few years. We'll show you current prices for them below:
Today's best Amazon Kindle, Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2018) and Amazon Kindle Oasis (2019) deals
Amazon Kindle
$79.99
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The key difference between Amazon Kindle and Fire tablet devices is their screens. Kindle devices are ereaders, and therefore use E Ink screens - this technology basically replicates the way books look, with electric signals making ink appear where it needs to, to form writing or pictures. E Ink screens are monochromatic, so they don't show colors, just black and white.
As a result, ereaders are designed for reading books and documents - you won't be able to use a Kindle to play games or watch movies, for example, but it's great for sitting in the sun reading a novel.
Amazon Fire tablets have LCD screens, which is the same kind of technology you'll find in many TVs, computer monitors and smartphones. As such, if you're wanting to watch TV shows or play games, Fire Tabs have screens that are much better for that.
In terms of design, Amazon Kindle and Fire tablets have a lot in common. They're usually made of plastic, which is durable enough to withstand bumps or drops. Compared to 'premium' devices in their markets, they're not very good-looking, but that won't matter to everyone.
All Amazon Kindle devices (at the time of writing, at least) have micro USB ports, and this kind of cable used to be the standard for many devices. However now many new devices use USB-C, which is faster for charging, and recent Fire tablets have this kind of newer input.
You can tell a port is USB-C because it's perfectly elliptical, whereas micro USB is wider on one side than on the other.
Amazon Fire tablets generally have a camera on both the rear and the front, so they can be used for taking photos or video calling, but the cameras usually have quite low resolutions, and your average smartphone will beat them.
Kindles don't have cameras though, so you can't take pictures with them.
In terms of battery life, all Amazon devices are pretty stellar compared to most competitors, but Kindles are the best.
Depending on your Kindle device, it can last up to six weeks between charges, if you're reading for half an hour per day - that's a lot of charge, so Kindles are great for holidays if you don't want to bring a charger.
Amazon Fire tablets don't last quite as long, but that makes sense, because E Ink is known for being great for battery conservation. Newer Fire tablets last for about twelve hours of use between charges, which makes them good for car journeys or entertaining kids.
•Here are the best Amazon Kindle deals
What you'll be doing on your Amazon Kindle or Fire tablet device really depends on the software - that means, the programs and apps loaded onto the thing.
As Amazon Kindle devices are designed purely for reading, the services you get are a little limited. You can access the Kindle Store to buy and download books, and can also look at your Kindle library to see your downloaded books. Some Kindles also have access to Goodreads, a social reading tool (so you can log the books you read and compare them with your friends).
The Kindle Store isn't just for books though - there are plays, poems, magazines and comic books too.
Not everyone knows, but you don't have to limit your reading to the Amazon Kindle Store - you're actually able to upload your own PDFs and other files to your Kindle. Thanks to this you can read work documents, as well as scientific papers or books from Project Gutenberg, for example, on your device.
Fire tablets run the popular operating system Android, but with Amazon's own Fire user interface laid over the top. What this means is that the tablets encourage (well, force) you to use the company's suite of apps.
You can stream video from Amazon Prime Video, music from Prime Music, and read books from the Kindle service, and the app store only contains Amazon-approved apps. Some Amazon-rival services, like Netflix and Spotify, are available too though.
As we've mentioned, you can read books on a Fire tablet, but many prefer to do so on a Kindle, as its display looks much more like paper, and can be nicer on the eyes. Also, its battery life keeps it ticking much longer.
If you want a range of features, not just reading, then the Amazon Fire tablet range is where you should be looking, as you'll be able to stream movies, conduct video calls and play games.
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- Tom Bedford
Nov 21, 2023 · Yes, you can read a Kindle textbook on the Amazon Fire. You can look for a definition in the dictionary, or check out Wikipedia any time or search the web for the topic, but the possibilities are basically limited to these options.
Apr 9, 2018 · Amazon's Fire Tablet, formerly known as Kindle Fire, comes in 7, 8, and 10 inch versions. Even if you know you have a Fire, Fire HD, or Fire HDX, there are several different generations of hardware. Here's how to tell exactly which tablet model you have.
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Jun 28, 2024 · An expansive 11in display with 2000×1200 high resolution and a speedy 2.2Ghz octal-core processor makes it a top choice for anyone who needs a tablet to handle multitasking. It comes with 4GB of RAM, and offers a long-lasting battery life of up to 14 hours and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity.
Jul 12, 2023 · A Kindle is an e-reader created and sold by Amazon, that allows users to read e-books, magazines, newspapers, and more from one handy device. There are several types of Kindles to choose between, but they all have the same function of making reading the focus of this tablet-like device.
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