The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, and the Blackview Tab 5 and Amazon Fire 7 (2017) represent two distinct approaches. The Fire 7, while older, benefits from Amazon’s ecosystem and low price point. The Blackview Tab 5 aims to offer more modern hardware at a similar cost, but does that translate to a better user experience? This comparison dissects the key differences to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Blackview Tab 5 is the superior choice. Its Rockchip RK3326S chipset offers a noticeable performance uplift over the Amazon Fire 7’s aging Mediatek MT8127, making it more capable for multitasking and demanding applications. While the Fire 7’s ecosystem integration is a plus, the Tab 5’s improved processing power provides a smoother, more versatile experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | - |
| 4G bands | N/A | - |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 03 | 2017, May. Released 2017, June |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 211.2 x 126.2 x 9.7 mm (8.31 x 4.97 x 0.38 in) | 192 x 115 x 9.6 mm (7.56 x 4.53 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | No |
| Weight | 355 g (12.52 oz) | 295 g (10.41 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 600 x 1024 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~170 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 7.0 inches, 137.9 cm2 (~62.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Rockchip RK3326S | Mediatek MT8127 (28 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-450MP4 |
| OS | Android 12, Doke OS Go 3.0 | Customized Android 5.1 (Lollipop), Fire 5.4 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | Yes | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 0.3 MP | VGA |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | No | Accelerometer |
| | - | Alexa natural language commands
Text-to-Speech English-language content reader |
| Battery |
|---|
| Talk time | - | Up to 8 h |
| Type | 5580 mAh | Li-Ion 2980 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Twilight Blue, Space Gray | Black, Canary Yellow, Marine Blue, Punch Red |
| Price | - | About 70 EUR |
Blackview Tab 5
- More powerful Rockchip RK3326S chipset
- Potentially better battery life due to chipset efficiency
- More responsive user experience
- Display specifications are unknown
- Camera performance likely similar to Fire 7
Amazon Fire 7 (2017)
- Deep integration with Amazon ecosystem
- Very low price point
- Access to Amazon’s vast content library
- Aging Mediatek MT8127 chipset
- Sluggish performance
- Less power-efficient
Display Comparison
Neither tablet boasts a particularly impressive display. The Amazon Fire 7 (2017) features a 7-inch IPS LCD, while the Blackview Tab 5’s display size is not specified, but is likely similar. Crucially, the Fire 7’s older chipset limits its ability to drive a high-resolution panel, resulting in a lower pixel density. While neither is expected to have high brightness, the Blackview Tab 5’s newer chipset *could* potentially support a slightly wider color gamut and better image processing, though this is speculative without further display specifications. Bezels are substantial on both devices, typical for this price range.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are expected to feature basic cameras suitable for occasional snapshots. Given the context, it's safe to assume both devices will have low-resolution sensors. Focusing on sensor size or image quality would be misleading without specific details. The Fire 7 is known for its underwhelming camera, and the Tab 5 is unlikely to significantly improve upon this.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Blackview Tab 5’s Rockchip RK3326S is a quad-core processor built on a more modern architecture than the Amazon Fire 7’s Mediatek MT8127 (28nm). The MT8127’s Cortex-A7 cores are significantly less efficient and powerful than what the RK3326S offers. This translates to noticeably slower app loading times, sluggish multitasking, and a less responsive user interface on the Fire 7. The RK3326S, while not a powerhouse, provides a smoother experience for everyday tasks. RAM specifications are not provided for either device, but the RK3326S’s architecture is better equipped to handle more RAM efficiently, should the Tab 5 include it.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Mediatek MT8127’s 28nm process is less power-efficient than the RK3326S. This means the Fire 7 will likely drain its battery faster under similar usage conditions. While the Tab 5 may not have a significantly larger battery, its more efficient chipset should result in longer battery life. Charging wattage is also unknown for both, making it difficult to estimate 0-100% charge times.
Buying Guide
Buy the Blackview Tab 5 if you need a tablet capable of handling more than basic tasks like video streaming and web browsing. It’s ideal for users who want to run multiple apps simultaneously, play light games, or require a more responsive interface. Buy the Amazon Fire 7 (2017) if you are deeply embedded in the Amazon ecosystem, prioritize a very low price above all else, and primarily intend to consume Amazon content like Kindle books, Prime Video, and Audible audiobooks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Amazon Fire 7 (2017) struggle with modern web browsing?
Yes, the Mediatek MT8127 chipset and limited RAM in the Fire 7 (2017) will result in slow page loading times and a generally sluggish browsing experience, especially with complex websites. The Blackview Tab 5’s RK3326S offers a significant improvement in this area.
❓ Can the Blackview Tab 5 handle basic Android games?
The Blackview Tab 5’s Rockchip RK3326S is capable of running many basic Android games, though don’t expect high frame rates or demanding graphics settings. The Fire 7’s MT8127 will struggle with even moderately demanding games.
❓ Is the Amazon Fire 7 (2017) a good choice for someone who doesn't use Amazon services?
No. The Fire 7’s software is heavily geared towards Amazon’s ecosystem. While you can sideload apps, the experience is not optimized for non-Amazon users, and you’ll miss out on key features and integrations.
