Overall Findings: Is a Fire Tablet the Same as a Kindle?

Fire tablets aren’t the same as Kindles, which is a bit confusing, especially to anyone who remembers when the line of Fire tablets initially launched as Kindle Fire. Kindle and Fire share a tablet form factor, but Kindles are e-readers, and Fire tablets are general-use tablets. As a result, you can run the Kindle app on a Fire tablet to read books, but you can’t watch movies, play games, send an email, or video chat with a Kindle.

  • Designed for reading books.
  • Black and white e-ink displays.
  • Built-in screen lighting in current models.
  • Can’t run apps.
  • No cameras.
  • Limited web browsing capabilities.
  • Extremely long battery life.
  • Wi-Fi+Cellular models include limited free 3G internet access.

Design and Display: LCD Vs. E-Ink

Kindles can’t do most of the things you can do with a tablet, but they are easier on the eyes due to the use of e-ink for the display. On the other hand, fire tablets typically include beautiful IPS LCDs with brilliant colors and sometimes even high definition resolutions.

  • Uses e-ink displays.

  • Black and white.

  • Reduces eye strain and feels like reading a paper book.

  • Vastly increased battery life due to low power needs of e-ink.

  • Adjustable LED front-lighting for reading in the dark.

  • Uses IPS LCD displays.

  • Full color.

  • Feels like looking at a computer screen or phone.

  • Bright backlighting for use in any light conditions.

  • Shorter battery life than Kindle.

The benefit of an e-ink display is it’s easier on your eyes when reading for long periods. Instead of a backlight shining light from the screen into your eyes, like a Fire tablet, phone or computer, an e-ink display relies on light hitting it and bouncing into your eyes, just like the pages of a book. Even the front light included on newer models uses LEDs directed at the page instead of outward.

Besides less eye fatigue, the e-ink display also consumes less power than the full-color IPS LCDs found in Fire tablets. That’s part of why a Kindle can go so much longer between charges than a Fire tablet.

Features: Fire Tablets Are More Flexible

  • Wi-Fi and optional Cellular connectivity.

  • Cellular-enabled models provide free limited internet access.

  • Micro USB (charging only).

  • Bluetooth (for speakers or headphones).

  • Front and rear cameras.

  • Bluetooth connectivity.

  • Wi-Fi and optional Cellular connectivity.

  • USB-C for fast charging and device connectivity.

  • Hands-free Alexa controls.

  • Speakers (stereo on some models).

  • Sensor suite (accelerometer, ambient light).

  • Micro SD card slot for extra storage.

  • 3.5mm audio jack.

While you can listen to Audible audiobooks on a Kindle, Kindles do not support immersion reading. That means you can’t listen to an audiobook on your Kindle while reading along on the same Kindle. Fire tablets support immersion reading.

Most Fire tablets include both front and rear cameras, although some older models don’t offer both. They typically also provide Bluetooth connectivity for connecting wireless earbuds, keyboards, and other peripherals and a USB-C port to connect additional peripherals. Some also include hands-free controls via the Alexa virtual assistant.

  • Access to the Kindle store.
  • Compatible with Kindle e-books, TXT, PDF, MOBI, and PRC.
  • Free conversion for HTML, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG and PMP.
  • Play audio books from Audible (requires Bluetooth headphones or speakers).

Final Verdict: Do You Want To Read Books, or Run Apps and Watch Videos?

Go to Settings > Device Options > Reset to Factory Defaults. A factory reset will delete all of your personal data. Apps and books can be redownloaded from the cloud.

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