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.
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. 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
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.
