The sub-$150 tablet market is fiercely competitive, offering options for casual users, students, and those seeking a dedicated media consumption device. We pit the Blackview Tab 8 WiFi against the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) to determine which provides the best balance of features and performance for the price.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) is the superior choice. Its hexa-core Mediatek MT8169A chipset delivers significantly better performance than the Blackview Tab 8’s quad-core processor, making it more responsive for everyday tasks and light gaming. While the Blackview Tab 8 offers a more standard Android experience, the Fire HD 8’s optimized Fire OS and faster charging provide a smoother overall experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | - |
| 4G bands | N/A | - |
| EDGE | No | N/A |
| GPRS | No | N/A |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, May | 2022, September 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, May | Available. Released 2022, September 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 246.5 x 163 x 9.9 mm (9.70 x 6.42 x 0.39 in) | 201.9 x 137.4 x 9.6 mm (7.95 x 5.41 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 520.5 g (1.15 lb) | 337 g (11.89 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~149 ppi density) | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~73.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~66.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core | Hexa-core (6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT8169A |
| GPU | - | Mali-G52 2EE MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, DokeOS_P 3.0 | Android 11, Fire OS 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 13 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | Yes | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| | - | Alexa natural language commands
Text-to-Speech English-language content reader |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Talk time | - | Up to 13 h |
| Type | 6580 mAh | - |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Grey, Ice Blue | Black, Denim, Rose |
| Models | - | KFRAWI |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 110 EUR |
Blackview Tab 8 WiFi
- Pure Android experience offers greater customization.
- Potentially wider app compatibility due to standard Android.
- May offer expandable storage via microSD card (speculation).
- Significantly weaker processor performance.
- Lack of detailed specifications makes accurate assessment difficult.
- Likely slower charging speeds.
Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022)
- Faster hexa-core Mediatek MT8169A processor.
- 15W fast charging for quicker top-ups.
- Optimized Fire OS for smooth performance and battery life.
- Fire OS is a customized Android experience, limiting customization.
- Heavily integrated with Amazon’s ecosystem.
- May lack full Google Play Store access without sideloading.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly impressive display. Both are likely to utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The Blackview Tab 8’s specifications are lacking, so we can only assume a standard 60Hz refresh rate. The Fire HD 8 (2022) also lacks a high refresh rate. The key difference will likely be color accuracy and peak brightness, where the Fire HD 8 may have a slight edge due to Amazon’s display calibration. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget nature.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both devices likely feature basic camera sensors suitable for casual snapshots. Given the lack of detailed specifications for the Blackview Tab 8, it’s safe to assume its camera system is comparable to, or slightly inferior to, the Fire HD 8’s. Focusing on camera quality in this price range is unrealistic; both are primarily designed for media consumption, not photography.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) is equipped with a Mediatek MT8169A chipset featuring a hexa-core CPU clocked at 2.0 GHz, utilizing Cortex-A55 cores. This represents a substantial upgrade over the Blackview Tab 8’s unspecified quad-core processor. The Cortex-A55 architecture, while not high-end, is more efficient and capable than the likely Cortex-A35 cores found in the Blackview Tab 8. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the Fire HD 8. The Fire HD 8’s CPU configuration will also handle light gaming better.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. While the mAh capacity of the Blackview Tab 8 is unknown, the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) supports 15W wired charging. This faster charging speed is a significant advantage, allowing for quicker top-ups. The Fire HD 8’s optimized Fire OS also contributes to better battery efficiency, potentially offsetting any capacity difference. Expect both tablets to provide around 8-10 hours of mixed usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Blackview Tab 8 WiFi if you prioritize a pure Android experience and are comfortable with potentially slower performance for basic tasks. This is ideal for users who heavily customize their Android devices or require specific app compatibility not guaranteed on Fire OS. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) if you value performance, faster charging, and seamless integration with Amazon’s ecosystem. This is the better option for streaming video, reading Kindle books, and casual gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek MT8169A in the Fire HD 8 struggle with demanding games?
While the MT8169A isn't a gaming powerhouse, it's capable of handling casual games and older titles at lower settings. Demanding, graphically intensive games will likely require significant compromises in visual quality and frame rates. It's best suited for less resource-intensive gaming experiences.
❓ Can I easily install Google apps like YouTube on the Amazon Fire HD 8?
Installing Google apps on the Fire HD 8 requires sideloading, which involves downloading the APK files and enabling apps from unknown sources. While possible, it's not as straightforward as downloading from the Google Play Store and may require some technical knowledge. There are numerous online guides available to assist with this process.
❓ Is the Blackview Tab 8 a good choice for someone who prefers a stock Android experience?
Yes, the Blackview Tab 8's primary advantage is its pure Android implementation. If you dislike customized interfaces like Fire OS and prefer the flexibility and customization options of stock Android, the Tab 8 is a better fit, provided you can tolerate the slower performance.
❓ How does Fire OS differ from standard Android, and is it restrictive?
Fire OS is Amazon's customized version of Android, heavily integrated with Amazon's services like Kindle, Prime Video, and the Amazon Appstore. It's more restrictive than standard Android, prioritizing Amazon's ecosystem. While you can sideload apps, the experience is optimized for Amazon content.
