The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, offering options for basic media consumption and light tasks. We pit the BLU Touchbook G7, a consistently affordable option, against the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022), a popular choice leveraging Amazon’s ecosystem. This comparison focuses on how the significant hardware differences translate into real-world usability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and a smoother experience, the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) is the clear winner. Its hexa-core Mediatek MT8169A chipset delivers substantially better performance than the BLU Touchbook G7’s dual-core Cortex-A7, justifying the price difference for most.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 - P240U | - |
| EDGE | - | N/A |
| GPRS | - | N/A |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | No cellular connectivity |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - P240L | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, August. Released 2015, August | 2022, September 21 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, September 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 197.2 x 107 x 8.9 mm (7.76 x 4.21 x 0.35 in) | 201.9 x 137.4 x 9.6 mm (7.95 x 5.41 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | No |
| Weight | 298 g (10.51 oz) | 337 g (11.89 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 600 x 1024 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~170 ppi density) | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.0 inches, 137.9 cm2 (~65.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~66.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Hexa-core (6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT8169A |
| GPU | Mali-400 | Mali-G52 2EE MC2 |
| OS | Android 5.0 (Lollipop) | Android 11, Fire OS 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 4GB 512MB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | 2 MP |
| Video | - | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | No |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | 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 |
| Stand-by | Up to 190 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 10 h (3G) | Up to 13 h |
| Type | Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable | - |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Gold, Grey | Black, Denim, Rose |
| Models | - | KFRAWI |
| Price | - | About 110 EUR |
BLU Touchbook G7
- Significantly lower price point
- Potentially longer battery life with minimal usage (due to less powerful processor)
- Basic functionality for simple tasks
- Extremely slow performance
- Outdated processor architecture
- Likely low-quality display
Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022)
- Much faster performance thanks to the MT8169A chipset
- More responsive user interface
- Faster charging with 15W support
- Amazon ecosystem lock-in
- Limited storage options (expandable via microSD)
- Display resolution is adequate but not high-definition
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a premium display. The BLU Touchbook G7’s display specifications are unavailable, but given its price point, it likely utilizes a TN panel with limited viewing angles and color accuracy. The Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) features an 8-inch IPS LCD. While IPS offers wider viewing angles than TN, the Fire HD 8’s resolution (1280x800) results in a pixel density of approximately 189 PPI, which is adequate but not sharp. Both tablets likely lack features like high peak brightness or wide color gamut support, making them best suited for indoor use.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is not a strength for either device. Both tablets are likely equipped with basic cameras suitable for video calls and occasional snapshots. Given the market segment, detailed camera specifications are scarce. Expect low-resolution images with limited dynamic range and poor low-light performance. Focusing on camera capabilities would be a misdirection for potential buyers of either tablet.
Performance
This is where the Fire HD 8 (2022) truly shines. The Mediatek MT8169A chipset, featuring a hexa-core CPU with six 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, represents a significant generational leap over the BLU Touchbook G7’s dual-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7. The Cortex-A55 architecture is far more efficient and capable than the older Cortex-A7, resulting in faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface. The Fire HD 8’s CPU is over 50% faster on a per-core basis, and the additional cores allow for better parallel processing. While RAM specifications are missing for the Touchbook G7, the Fire HD 8’s 2GB of RAM is sufficient for its intended use case, though it may struggle with numerous background apps.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. The Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) supports 15W wired charging, allowing for a relatively quick recharge. While battery capacity is not specified for the BLU Touchbook G7, the Fire HD 8’s 5100 mAh battery, combined with the more efficient MT8169A chipset, should provide longer runtimes for typical tasks like video streaming and web browsing. The faster charging of the Fire HD 8 is a practical benefit for users who need to quickly top up their device.
Buying Guide
Buy the BLU Touchbook G7 if you need an extremely affordable tablet for very basic tasks like static ebook reading or simple web browsing, and are willing to tolerate noticeable performance limitations. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) if you prefer a more responsive experience for streaming video, light gaming, and general app usage, and are comfortable within the Amazon ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek MT8169A in the Fire HD 8 struggle with demanding games?
While the MT8169A is a significant improvement over the Touchbook G7’s processor, it’s not a gaming powerhouse. It can handle casual games and older titles at lower settings, but demanding 3D games will likely experience frame rate drops and lag. It's best suited for light gaming and media consumption.
❓ How much does the Amazon ecosystem limit functionality on the Fire HD 8?
The Fire HD 8 runs Fire OS, a modified version of Android. This means you have access to the Amazon Appstore, which has a smaller selection of apps than the Google Play Store. While many popular apps are available, some may be missing. Sideloading apps from the Google Play Store is possible, but requires technical knowledge and isn't officially supported.
❓ Is the BLU Touchbook G7 suitable for video conferencing?
The BLU Touchbook G7 can technically handle video conferencing, but the slow processor and potentially low-resolution camera will likely result in a subpar experience. Expect lag, choppy video, and poor audio quality. The Fire HD 8 offers a noticeably better experience for video calls.
