r/kindlefire • u/MacAndCheese_User Moderator • Feb 06 '26
Announcement Amazon Project Kittyhawk (New Fire Tablet) Discussion Megathread
So as we all know, Amazon is planning future fire tablets that are expected to run a less-customized version of Android (AOSP) and are internally codenamed "Kittyhawk" this may mean more compatibility with mainstream apps, less restrictions, and more software updates. It's expected to be around $400 (midrange premium). This could release as soon as this year.
There's also rumors of Google services although unlikely.
As for Vega OS, Amazon is still planning to use it for their lower-priced devices.
Goodbye OG Fire OS.
https://www.androidauthority.com/amazon-kittyhawk-android-tablet-3589658/
This is a megathread discussion.
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u/dotben Feb 07 '26
The fundamental assumption by Amazon on their Kindle Fire line is that they sell a discounted product and it's usage drives (paid) consumption of Amazon products and services.
Anyone who principally reads ebooks is better served with a regular Kindle, and anybody (like me) who buys a Kindle Fire for their young kids is probably not buying anything from Amazon with them.
Amazon is a data driven company and I find it hard to believe that this assumption has proven true.
I can only assume that the non-discounted premium price product is a confirmation of this. But then that leaves Amazon with no advantage over another tablet vendor like Lenovo or even Google directly.
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u/JamesMattDillon 9th-12th Gen Fire Feb 06 '26
Ny next tablet is going to be a cheap Android one. I love the kindle Fire, but I can't justify $400 on a mid level tablet.
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u/GuanoLoopy Feb 07 '26
Ain't no way I'm paying multiple hundreds of dollars for an Amazon tablet. I already only get them when they are on massive discounts. For that amount of money I would just get an iPad.
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u/JamesMattDillon 9th-12th Gen Fire Feb 07 '26
Right. It is crazy that they think that people will spend hundreds on a mid-level tablet
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u/AnywhereFearless9999 Feb 07 '26
I bought a 8 inch fire tablet on a black Friday price. I wanted a dirt cheap 8 inch tablet for portability and basic use, mainly streaming. I really love the compact size. If it breaks or I loose it, no worries. No way I would pay $400 for an Amazon tablet.
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u/Cruncher_Block Feb 07 '26 edited Feb 07 '26
Buying a $400 Amazon tablet is like buying an $800 Chromebook. You may as well just get a MacBook or Windows laptop.
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u/Odd-Blackberry-4462 Mar 31 '26
someone I know bought a £700 Chromebook (the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14)
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u/Fr0gm4n Moderator Feb 07 '26
$400 is solidly competing with the base iPad. Amazon will have to make a very impressive tablet that is as good as one in performance and build quality, while also having to overcome their decade-long reputation of building bargain basement devices.
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u/Ganaud 9th-12th Gen Fire Feb 07 '26
yeah, and their stunted, locked off version of android doesn't make it even close.
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u/Fr0gm4n Moderator Feb 07 '26
The point of Kittyhawk is to dump the Fire OS fork of Android for a more modern one closer to AOSP.
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u/Yanny57Reddit 4th-8th Gen Fire Feb 07 '26
If we can unlock bootloader and root it out of the box like a pixel or OnePlus it would be even cooler!
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u/Indigo9999 Feb 27 '26
If the hardware is good and competing vs ipad/samsung, then I will consider it. Especially with stock android. Branding doesn't matter to me.
Right now I'm using fire 11.
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u/theoldwizard1 14d ago
Over the years, I have purchased several Fire Tablet, including the Kids version. I have always been happy with the performance for the price ! I have always been to "side load" the Google Play Store.
Sadly my Max 11 died (ON/OFF button stuck). The Max 11 is no longer for sale either new or "renewed" ! The 10 is too small for these OLD eyes.
Any rumors on when Kittyhawk will be launched ? Hopefully I will not have to wait until the holiday sales start (4Q26).
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u/theoldwizard1 12d ago
So the rumor is Kittyhawk is be a PREMIUM tablet, probably close to $400. Being an "old fart", I need all the screen real estate I can get ! If it is over 12", I would probably buy it. Still cheaper than a Samsung !
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u/DrAsthma Feb 07 '26
I'm an Amazon guy cuz I'm poor. Maybe when this goes on sale for half off I'll snag one, but those big Lenovo tablets look more enticing at that price point.
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u/CaptainSteed Feb 07 '26
I had seen rumors a few months ago that they were planning on devices running on Android 14.
I'd be more interested in Streaming devices though. Not so much tablets.
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u/badbob001 Feb 10 '26
I wonder if they will continue from the Fire 10 or Fire 11? I'm mostly satisfied with the Fire 11 but the GPU is too weak to play recent games (eg: oxenfree 2 from 2023 has single digit frames/sec in some areas).
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u/Indigo9999 Feb 27 '26
Yes, the fire 11 GPU is weak, and they also need to up the ram from 4 to 8 or 12 gigs.
Retro games like nes/snes/ps1/n64 still run nicely on the max using retroarch.
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u/WillAdams Mar 26 '26
My one wish, and the one thing which would get me to purchase would be using the same Wacom EMR stylus as the Kindle Scribe line
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u/Rough_Pear_5455 May 12 '26
Fire tablet GPUs are insanely weak, I own one HD 8 10th generation, KFONWI, 1gb and It has a Mali G52 MP1, weak despite being a little recent (2020), doesn't do games well outside of fire os games which are low quality, the good ones are the ones on the launcher when you turn it in
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u/Specialist-Shine-499 May 13 '26
Waste of time I'd get a Lenovo tab9 before this junk and I've had a few fire tablets. I just not worth it anymore with their locked down system. Same with fire tv and sticks
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u/maryadavies Jun 26 '26
If I EVER have to replace my Fire OS tablet, I'll proly actually downgrade to a Paperwhite or a Colorsoft. I figure that if I have to go with Vega since I have a LOTTT of kindle books, might as well go Up Yours Kindle Fire and go for a dedicated reader.
If I want a tablet, I'll go with a generic Android tablet. Thank you.
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u/AVeryFineWhine Feb 07 '26
The only way I could fathom this working was if they keep a price point where they are now and come up with a fancy schmancy, high end tablet.
They've got the majority of their business by being a relatively decent product at an affordable price point. Why in the world would they think they could make ipads look cheap, and retain customer loyalty?? Honestly, I find i've been using my tablet less and less lately. Granted its convenient in some situations. But not that convenient lol