The only other significant change from the previous version, which launched in 2018, is a USB-C charging / data transfer port instead of the frustrating old microUSB port.
Battery life is a bit better, too, at a claimed 12 hours of mixed use – a 20 percent improvement – while software improvements include a distraction-free gaming mode.
You have a choice of a slightly more sophisticated colour palette than before with White, Black, Twilight Blue, and Plum: the same colours that the latest Fire HD 10 comes in.
It’s £10/$10 more than the old model at £89.99 / $89.99, and if you opt for the 64GB version, this adds £30 / $30 to the price.
It goes on sale on 3 June, just like the other two versions of the tablet. Which we’ll get to right now.
Wireless chargingMore RAMThree months of Kindle UnlimitedSlate grey colour
You can also get the Plus in a new Slate colour that’s not available for the standard tablet.
Another extra feature is wireless charging, and this is designed to work with the optional Show Mode Dock that turns the tablet into a smart display something like the Echo Show 8
You can buy the Fire HD 8 Plus with the dock for £139.98 / $139.98 or buy the wireless charging dock on its own for £39.99/$39.99, so the bundle saves you £10/$10.
Again, it will go on sale on 3 June.
2020 Fire HD 8 Kids Edition
The Kids Edition of the new Fire HD 8 costs £139.99 / $139.99 as well, and is based on the standard tablet with 32GB of storage. Like the other models, you can add up to 1TB of extra storage via a microSD card.
Pre-order Fire HD 8 Kids Edition
As with all Kids Edition Fire tablets, the bundle includes a protective bumper case – in either blue, purple or pink – and a year’s subscription to Fire for Kids Unlimited. We’ve rounded up all the best kids’ tablets to help you choose the right one for your child.
There’s also the usual two-year warranty that covers accidental damage.
The Fire HD 8 is the medium-size model in the Fire range that sits between the 7- and 10-inch models.
Jim has been testing and reviewing products for over 20 years. His main beats include VPN services and antivirus. He also covers smart home tech, mesh Wi-Fi and electric bikes.
