I am thinking of buying the current Amazon Fire 7 tablet. Two questions:
1) I understand that you can install Google Play on it. In practice how well does this work?
I had one of the early 2013 Fire tablets. Although you could install Google Play, it didn't work that well especially with Apps that were expecting things that weren't available on FireOs. In the end I had install a custom rom on it, but I understand that it's possible with the current model.
2) On the current model, how strong is the charger port? With the 2013 model it broke after a few years, so I was no longer able to charge it.
Thanks!
kutekittysweet said:
I am thinking of buying the current Amazon Fire 7 tablet. Two questions:
1) I understand that you can install Google Play on it. In practice how well does this work?
I had one of the early 2013 Fire tablets. Although you could install Google Play, it didn't work that well especially with Apps that were expecting things that weren't available on FireOs. In the end I had install a custom rom on it, but I understand that it's possible with the current model.
2) On the current model, how strong is the charger port? With the 2013 model it broke after a few years, so I was no longer able to charge it.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Play works much better under FireOS v5 than previous builds. Your previous experience was likely with v3 although things weren't much better under v4. That said, there are a handful of apps that must be side loaded as the Play Store believes they are incompatible with the hardware or ROM.
I have not heard/read about systemic problems with the charging circuitry on 5th-7th gen devices beyond sample defects. However, overall build quality of 5th gen devices definitely leans toward 'value'; 6th/7th aren't far behind. Might last a few years with reasonable care.
Related
Hi, so I just bought 2 Fire 7" "Kid's edition", which I believe are just the Fire 7" 5th Gen 2015, with an added 1 year Amazon FreeTime subscription?
I'm not sure if I need to root them. They seem a bit slow (not blaming the hardware), and I worry I may lose the 1 year unlimited FreeTime, but at the same time, I bought 64G Micro SD cards, and they will be used offline, so I plan on buying learning apps for little ones.
What should I do? They came with Fire OS 5.1.1 by default, and I really wish to be able to make a backup of whatever I do with them in case the mother I give these as a gift has to recover it somehow (she knows nothing about android btw).
Here's my hopes with these devices:
1- Use them offline, buy, and download many learning apps for kids, as well as games, and movies.
2- Since I seem to be able to use FlashFire at the moment, and not TWRP, find a way to create a nandroid backup, and easy recovery. (or is Amazon recovery good enough?)
3 - Is it worth a slight performance improvement, flashing a lighter rom, and less confusing launcher/Amazon setup, and complicate a recovery procedure?
ianthomas said:
Hi, so I just bought 2 Fire 7" "Kid's edition", which I believe are just the Fire 7" 5th Gen 2015, with an added 1 year Amazon FreeTime subscription?
I'm not sure if I need to root them. They seem a bit slow (not blaming the hardware), and I worry I may lose the 1 year unlimited FreeTime, but at the same time, I bought 64G Micro SD cards, and they will be used offline, so I plan on buying learning apps for little ones.
What should I do? They came with Fire OS 5.1.1 by default, and I really wish to be able to make a backup of whatever I do with them in case the mother I give these as a gift has to recover it somehow (she knows nothing about android btw).
Here's my hopes with these devices:
1- Use them offline, buy, and download many learning apps for kids, as well as games, and movies.
2- Since I seem to be able to use FlashFire at the moment, and not TWRP, find a way to create a nandroid backup, and easy recovery. (or is Amazon recovery good enough?)
3 - Is it worth a slight performance improvement, flashing a lighter rom, and less confusing launcher/Amazon setup, and complicate a recovery procedure?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
does it have a SD card slot?
does it say HD on it?
Sent from my KFFOWI using XDA Labs
sd_shadow said:
does it have a SD card slot?
does it say HD on it?
Sent from my KFFOWI using XDA Labs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"@sd_shadow Thanks for reading my question.
It has a Micro SD card slot for up to 128G of storage, it's not an HD (I believe they don't support Micro SD), and it says 5th generation as well as Fire OS 5.1.1 that came by default. Here's the link, and special offer (buy 2, get 50$ off):
Fire Kids Edition, 7" Display, Wi-Fi, 8 GB, Pink Kid-Proof Case
My questions are really regarding giving these devices to a mother that doesn't know much about tablets, and will mostly be offline (Freetime is mostly Wifi only sadly), so I'm trying to think what I could do to these devices to improve her experience, and the little ones.. I root, and try out roms all the time on my cellphones, but even with much experience using android roms, the Fire OS UI seems confusing, and bloated to me for a regular mom.
ianthomas said:
"@sd_shadow Thanks for reading my question.
It has a Micro SD card slot for up to 128G of storage, it's not an HD (I believe they don't support Micro SD), and it says 5th generation as well as Fire OS 5.1.1 that came by default. Here's the link, and special offer (buy 2, get 50$ off):
Fire Kids Edition, 7" Display, Wi-Fi, 8 GB, Pink Kid-Proof Case
My questions are really regarding giving these devices to a mother that doesn't know much about tablets, and will mostly be offline (Freetime is mostly Wifi only sadly), so I'm trying to think what I could do to these devices to improve her experience, and the little ones.. I root, and try out roms all the time on my cellphones, but even with much experience using android roms, the Fire OS UI seems confusing, and bloated to me for a regular mom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, it's rootable just use the 5.1.1 root
links in the index
[Index]Amazon Fire 7" - 5th Gen-2015
Sent from my KFFOWI using XDA Labs
Hey everyone,
My old N7, which I bought way back when it was brand new, has finally left my service. The system could barely boot anymore, even after F2FS and ParrotMod, nothing could bring life back into it. Once apps started to crash I knew it was time, and have sold it to a friend who wants it for parts.
Is there a good (or honestly, not so good) device that people are switching to? The 2013 N7 is price prohibitive (honestly, $120 - $200 for a 4 year old tablet?) but I'd like something that is in the 7-8" range and can handle HD video decoding. Root and custom roms would be great, but if there's nothing out there then I'll settle. The Neutab N7S Pro doesn't look too bad, and at least I won't be forced to use Amazon's apps, but today is the first I've heard of them, so I'm a bit hesitant.
Thanks for any input!
Didn't find a substitution yet. That's the reason I am trying to keep it running as long as possible. Todays alternatives are either bloated (e.g. Samsung) or do not have current Android versions installed (e.g. Asus Zenpad S8.0, Huawai Media Pad M3) or suffer from technical issues (low RAM, low resolution)... not speaking about updates and security patches
Nowadays it's very difficult to find something like the Nexus 7 provided already 5 years ago.
Edit: regarding the Neutab N7S Pro: are you kidding? The specs are worse than the specs from the Nexus 7 (2012)
Amazon provide some great tabs at great prices... except the ecosystem. also lack of agps. frankly i am not happy with n7 2012 and n7 2013 being again made by asus... i am not sure about the quality either.
my best bet would be take a look at lineage os supported tab so that at least community support is guaranteed
SHEILD K1 by NVIDIA? It's not bad, but it also has it's own kinks and stuff, and is pretty stock too.
Proasis said:
SHEILD K1 by NVIDIA? It's not bad, but it also has it's own kinks and stuff, and is pretty stock too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree! I would buy a SHIELD too. The best 8" tablet IMO
Hey Guys -
I've been using XDA for a few years now to mod my many other Android devices, but today; was talking to wife and she isn't happy with her Amazon Fire tablet as she says it's too slow and is sick of all the ads. It's a 7" 5th Generation running 5.6.0.1 and all I've done to it in the past is install Google Play on it.
What would be my best option / ROM to load which would basically turn it into a simple yet stable Android device? I looked at LineageOS & a couple of others in this forum, but unsure which is the most stable - and - if it's even possible to install any of them on a 5.6.0.1 device. I planned to test out a couple as I thought I had rooted when installing Google Play long ago so grabbed TWRP and installed FlashFire - but when launching FlashFire I was told it was not rooted.
What would you suggest be the way to go to achieve this goal? Thanks!
bzowk said:
Hey Guys -
I've been using XDA for a few years now to mod my many other Android devices, but today; was talking to wife and she isn't happy with her Amazon Fire tablet as she says it's too slow and is sick of all the ads. It's a 7" 5th Generation running 5.6.0.1 and all I've done to it in the past is install Google Play on it.
What would be my best option / ROM to load which would basically turn it into a simple yet stable Android device? I looked at LineageOS & a couple of others in this forum, but unsure which is the most stable - and - if it's even possible to install any of them on a 5.6.0.1 device. I planned to test out a couple as I thought I had rooted when installing Google Play long ago so grabbed TWRP and installed FlashFire - but when launching FlashFire I was told it was not rooted.
What would you suggest be the way to go to achieve this goal? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, allowing FireOS to update beyond 5.3.2.0 permanently removed the ability to root and/or install custom ROMs. It's FireOS in all it's glory from this point forward. There is a convoluted way to remove some of the Amazon bloat but you probably don't want to go there as it's not for the faint of heart. Most who travel that route have less than satisfactory outcomes. 5th/7th gen Fire 7 devices are getting long in the tooth and are decidedly underpowered for the tasks Amazon demands of it. Your better half is probably looking a new device if she is significantly dissatisfied.
Davey126 said:
Unfortunately, allowing FireOS to update beyond 5.3.2.0 permanently removed the ability to root and/or install custom ROMs. It's FireOS in all it's glory from this point forward. There is a convoluted way to remove some of the Amazon bloat but you probably don't want to go there as it's not for the faint of heart. Most who travel that route have less than satisfactory outcomes. 5th/7th gen Fire 7 devices are getting long in the tooth and are decidedly underpowered for the tasks Amazon demands of it. Your better half is probably looking a new device if she is significantly dissatisfied.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some folks over in the HD 8/10 forum seem to be making headway with achieving root, some of which might apply to the Fire 7.
However, I do have to agree the 5th gen Fire 7 I have is barely a functional tablet at this point with the stock ROM.
lakitu47 said:
Some folks over in the HD 8/10 forum seem to be making headway with achieving root, some of which might apply to the Fire 7.
However, I do have to agree the 5th gen Fire 7 I have is barely a functional tablet at this point with the stock ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HD 10 has a different underlying architecture utilizing different kernel and ROM components exposing new vulnerabilities that are being exploited. Amazon will undoubtedly close those as do all manufactures. In contrast HD 8 uses the same architecture as the Fire 7. Realizing root on that device is highly unlikely.
It will be interest to see what Amazon does with the next hardware refresh. Me thinks the Fire 7 will be gone with either an adjustment on the HD 8 price point or the addition of some other gizmo to fill the gap.
Davey126 said:
HD 10 has a different underlying architecture utilizing different kernel and ROM components exposing new vulnerabilities that are being exploited. Amazon will undoubtedly close those as do all manufactures. In contrast HD 8 uses the same architecture as the Fire 7. Realizing root on that device is highly unlikely.
It will be interest to see what Amazon does with the next hardware refresh. Me thinks the Fire 7 will be gone with either an adjustment on the HD 8 price point or the addition of some other gizmo to fill the gap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what it looks like so far, it looks like the current progress for the Fire HD 8 is less so "root" and more like "uncovering hidden features we never knew we could use on Fire OS".
I do notice the Fire HD 8/HD 10 have gotten more of the spotlight recently. The Fire 7 (even the 2017 version) just isn't the $50 bargain it was two years ago. The HD 8 2017 has already dropped down to only $80 new.
Less people are buying the 7" tablet now, because it almost seems "too cheap". I do wonder what the Fire tablet lineup will be next year.
I bought the 7" recently and still consider it a pretty good bargain (I paid 40 Euros).
You could argue that the 8" it better value for money (I don't really know, but maybe) but for me the 7" form-factor is just perfect for a "everyday carry device".
The market for 7" tablet is not so big, you could get a Lenovo for about 80 Euro or a Samsung for about 120, that's about it if you want to avoid chinese no-names.
So it is by far the cheapest option and debloated and equipped with Google Playstore it is quite a nice device and I expect Amazon to drop the 7" line, so get it while you can...
morgonhed said:
I bought the 7" recently and still consider it a pretty good bargain (I paid 40 Euros).
You could argue that the 8" it better value for money (I don't really know, but maybe) but for me the 7" form-factor is just perfect for a "everyday carry device".
The market for 7" tablet is not so big, you could get a Lenovo for about 80 Euro or a Samsung for about 120, that's about it if you want to avoid chinese no-names.
So it is by far the cheapest option and debloated and equipped with Google Playstore it is quite a nice device and I expect Amazon to drop the 7" line, so get it while you can...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A gently used HDX is a far better device for similar coin. Far superior hardware and capable of running a dozen+ custom ROMs ranging from KitKat to Nougat (soon Oreo). I do enjoy my rooted 5th gen Fire for media streaming playback.
Which fire tablet should I choose for my mom? Currently she uses an old version of the 7 tablet running a cyanogenmod or lineage and she doesn't want a big device like the fire 10. I rooted it before, installed the rom and gave it to her as a gift 2 or 3 years ago. Now I'm searching a device which is currently new AND rootable. And for sure I would prefer a device, which got an existing rooting guide here on xda, a good maintained alternative rom and an active community.
On Amazon germany are currently available:
Fire 8 HD, 8. gen
Fire 7, 9. gen
Fire 7, probably 8. gen
Specifications of the newer 7 and the 8 HD are better (especially for the 8 HD), but:
Are they all rootable? Is it possible without linux for one of them (because unfortunately I never used linux...)?
Which got the biggest community here?
It would be great if you could help me! Thanks in advance for your interest and reading till here!
MartinMo said:
Which fire tablet should I choose for my mom? Currently she uses an old version of the 7 tablet running a cyanogenmod or lineage and she doesn't want a big device like the fire 10. I rooted it before, installed the rom and gave it to her as a gift 2 or 3 years ago. Now I'm searching a device which is currently new AND rootable. And for sure I would prefer a device, which got an existing rooting guide here on xda, a good maintained alternative rom and an active community.
On Amazon germany are currently available:
Fire 8 HD, 8. gen
Fire 7, 9. gen
Fire 7, probably 8. gen
Specifications of the newer 7 and the 8 HD are better (especially for the 8 HD), but:
Are they all rootable? Is it possible without linux for one of them (because unfortunately I never used linux...)?
Which got the biggest community here?
It would be great if you could help me! Thanks in advance for your interest and reading till here!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you are confining alternatives to Amazon gizmos I'd go with the 8th gen HD 8. That said, you mum would probably be just as happy with a ready-out-of-the-box Onn 8" running Android 9 which will be a huge upgrade at a similar price point. Yes, is is rootable although one has to ask why. Just to be clear, it's for mum, right?
DB126 said:
Yes, is is rootable although one has to ask why. Just to be clear, it's for mum, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, DB126. I'd like to backup all of the data and reinstall these backups on the new tablet. The last time I did that, I used titanium backup, hence the need to root it... I'll take a look on your recommendation.
DB126 said:
That said, you mum would probably be just as happy with a ready-out-of-the-box Onn 8" running Android 9
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems to have only about 5 h of battery life, about half of the time of the fire 8... And my mom is already complaining about often charging the old fire 7 tablet...
MartinMo said:
It seems to have only about 5 h of battery life, about half of the time of the fire 8... And my mom is already complaining about often charging the old fire 7 tablet...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Onn 8 has a 3500 mAH battery vs 4750 mAH in the Amazon HD 8. All else being equal the HD 8 will go 25-40% longer between charges. But all else isn't equal. Kernels and ROMs yield different efficiencies as do app portfolios. Panel brightness is usually the biggest draw on portable devices which is one reason SOT is such a meaningless measure. Battery build quality also plays a role in longevity; in that regard Amazon scores pretty well. All that said, 5h is in the ball park for an Onn 8 based on personal experience with both devices.
I currently have a 2015 fire7 (ford) and works well for what I use it for. Wondering if the 2019 version (mustang) is significantly better in any meaningful way?
Sure it has some physical upgrades, but it's still a dog. Like playing with a potato.
Amazon Fire - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
I think it depends on what you use it for. Comparing the 2015 to the 2019, the main things I notice are a faster processor, 5GHz wifi, and more storage (8GB on the ford, 16GB on the mustang). The screen is the same, and it'll even fit the same case although button layout changed. The 2019 version does support the newer FireOS, although you won't be able to root or install a custom ROM on a new version.
The problem is Amazon really hasn't had the mustang/2019 version on sale often, so paying full price for a ~2 year old device feels wrong. If you can get it around half price and don't mind the limitations, it's probably decent.
Fire 8 plus for what you pay same price and get generation 11 plays more games than last 7 and 8HE although still restricted in a way which Android and google are apart in Amazon fire and appears to be coming soon after years of experience both boosting the 4gig ram and mentioned google.. But Luna is not in UK yet as they go in gaming online it needed the work behind it's own device.