While adding greater battery life, USB-C, more RAM, some new casings, and better overall performance, Amazon largely kept the same footprint as the previous model. It does not, however, come without a price.
Both for themselves and for their children, parents adore tablets. These are convenient tools that are wonderful for studying, working, having fun, and unwinding. Parents should make sure the tablet is user-friendly, offers age-appropriate content, and is secure before giving it to a child, especially if they have younger children. The Amazon Fire 7 Kids tablet was specifically designed for this purpose.
Over the years, Amazon has done a terrific job of offering tablets with children in mind. The entry-level tablet in the complete line-up of Amazon Kids tablets is the Fire 7 Kids, and it has the most affordable price. The difference between the 2022 model and the mid-range Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids is less noticeable. I’ve been using the Amazon Fire 7 Kids 2022 for the past few weeks with my kids, and we can advise you on whether the price rise is justified or not.
AMAZON FIRE 7 KIDS: PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
On May 18, 2022, Amazon unveiled the Fire 7 Kids and the Fire 7 tablet. Pre-orders for the Fire 7 Kids went live that day for $109.99, and shipping started on June 29 of that year. The tablet is currently available from a variety of shops, including Best Buy, Staples, Kohl’s, and of course, Amazon, for the same $109.99 launch price. The tablet is only available in black, but there are three other color options for the supplied case.
AMAZON FIRE 7 KIDS: WHAT’S GOOD
If you haven’t used an Amazon Fire 7 Kids tablet yet, let me give you a quick overview of what makes it one of the finest tablets for kids. There aren’t many external differences between the 2022 model and the prior iteration. The 7-inch screen is still enclosed in a black plastic shell with a large foam case on the exterior, and although it is significantly lighter and thinner, generally it is the same.
The case does gain the fantastic built-in handle/kickstand that the Fire HD 8 Kids and Fire HD 10 Kids received last year, as well as some amusing patterns on the back. The move from MicroUSB to USB-C is arguably the tablet’s best external enhancement. The fantastic Amazon Kids tablets now all share the same connector type.
Other than that, the 2022 tablet is identical to its predecessor in that it still has the headphone jack, power, and volume controls on the same side. Hence, using the Fire 7 Kids tablet feels pretty similar to how it did previously, which isn’t always a bad thing. Smaller hands may easily grip it thanks to its compact size, and when the family is traveling, it takes up less space in a backpack.
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Amazon Fire 7 Kids |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 6.4 x 7.9 x 1.1 inches |
| Weight | 15.1 ounces |
| Display | 7 inches, 1024×600 resolution at 171 ppi |
| Colors | Blue, Purple, and Red |
| Processor | Quad-Core 2.0 GHz |
| Memory | 2 GB RAM |
| Storage | 16 GB or 32 GB, expandable up to 1TB with microSD card |
| Battery | Up to 10 hours of use |
| Cameras | 2 MP front and rear-facing cameras with 720p HD video recording |
| Audio | Mono speaker, 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Ports | USB-C |
| Connectivity | 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE |
| Protection | Kid-proof case included |
| Amazon Kids+ | 1 year free |
| Warranty | 2-year worry-free |
Further enhancements that significantly improve the tablet’s use are added as we delve deeper inside the device. The Fire 7 Kids tablet, which I stated before, is an entry-level gadget made for smaller children, but that doesn’t imply it works poorly. Yet even younger children could tell that the previous version’s internal machinery was starting to show its age, making it sluggish to use.
Fortunately, Amazon increased the RAM to 2GB. Instead of only having a 16GB version, the Fire 7 Kids now has a 32GB option as well. The capacity support for microSD cards has also been increased from 512GB to 1TB.
As the OS and necessary programs take up about half of the 16GB of internal storage, upgrading from 16 to 32GB is worthwhile if you have the extra $20. Although you can relocate your downloads and some apps to external storage, the tablet’s performance may still be subpar due to the limited internal storage.
The kid-proof Amazon case I own has a light blue, probably turquoise, handle and is available in red. Although Amazon describes the case as red, I would describe it as coral. Not at all a firetruck red shade. It’s not a problem, just something to be aware of if the recipient actually loves the color red.
My 6-year-old uses the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids, and my 9-year-old uses the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro. Both of my children have been using Amazon Fire Kids tablets for a while. Like most youngsters, they both became quite intrigued as soon as they spotted a new gadget in the house that appeared to be geared toward children.
I uploaded both of my kids’ profiles after finishing installing a few system upgrades that were awaiting the tablet when it arrived. The next step was to give my kids the table and then let them go. The process is thankfully quite simple with Amazon Kids+, which also keeps all the settings I’ve enabled on their other tablets.
I hid the fact that it was different from them on purpose. I watched to see if they would complain about how slow the Fire 7 Kids felt, but they didn’t. Also, it is likely that they did not comprehend the differences beyond size. I informed them that certain games and content might need to be downloaded because they didn’t come with the tablet when it was first set up.
In addition to using the tablet at home, we also took it on several road trips and a lengthy camping trip. My kids never once complained about the device not working. I also asked my wife to add her profile and use the tablet for a few days as her own. She, too, was satisfied with the tablet’s functionality.
I noticed the Fire 7 Kids tablet sluggishing when I used it with some of the top-notch games for Amazon Kids tablets that are on the graphically intensive side of things. Yet, the tablet performs admirably when used for light gaming, movie viewing, web browsing, and other leisure activities. The tablet’s excellent battery life was one of the most pleasant surprises.
According to Amazon, the Fire 7 Kids may be used for up to 10 hours before needing a recharge. Could the tablet be emptied more quickly? Yes, but the tablet survived the camping weekend with mixed usage of internet and offline activities, games, films, and reading.
Parents and children alike continue to praise Amazon Kids+. It maintains the same top-notch parental controls, a sizable collection of specially selected children’s material, and customizability to permit many kids to use the same device. Together with the case and a two-year worry-free guarantee, just like with other Amazon Kids devices, you’ll receive a free year of Amazon Kids+.
AMAZON FIRE 7 KIDS: WHAT’S NOT GOOD
Get the 16GB Fire 7 Kids instead of the Fire HD 8 Kids to save $30. Yet if you choose the 32GB, the Fire HD 8 Kids is only $10 away. Even while the Fire 7 Kids might still be the best choice for your specific needs, it’s important to be aware of this price rise and how it might make you want to consider the tablet in the following tier.
There aren’t many more drawbacks for the Fire 7 Kids, except from that. When using it, the 7-inch screen may feel a little crowded, especially with the bulky shell attached. That is not a problem, though, if the principal user has little hands. But, taking into account who will be using the tablet most frequently and for how long, the Fire HD 8 Kids’ larger screen and better display may be worthwhile.
Conclude
You should buy this if…
- You want a small, kids-focused tablet.
- You want the best parental controls and kids content for your child.
- You don’t want to spend a lot of money.
You shouldn’t buy this if…
- The person regularly using the tablet has large hands.
- The primary user will want to do heavy gaming on it.
- You want Google apps on the tablet.
