Amazon's next Fire tablet will be Android

Will the next Amazon Fire tablet have a Android operating system? If that's the case, prepare for a major price hike.

According unnamed insiders that spoke to Reuters, Amazon is planning a strategic overhaul of its Fire tablets which would involve using an open source version of the Android operating system.

SEE ALSO: The best tablets in 2025

The project, internally dubbed "Kittyhawk," would offer a higher-end tablet to compete with the iPad and other more advanced tablets and, critically, appease consumers and app developers who are frustrated by Amazon's in-house operating system.

Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

---

You May Also Like

---

---

Recommended deals for you

Apple AirPods Pro 2 ANC Earbuds With USB-C Charging Case — $169.99(List Price $249.00)

Meta Quest 3S 128GB VR Headset With Gorilla Tag Cardboard Hero Bundle — $249.00(List Price $299.99)

Apple iPad 11" 128GB Wi-Fi Retina Tablet (Blue, 2025 Release) — $279.00(List Price $349.00)

DJI Mini 4K Drone With 4K UHD Camera — $239.00(List Price $299.00)

Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 64GB Wi-Fi 11" Tablet — $148.94(List Price $219.99)

Blink Mini 2 Indoor Wireless 1080p Camera (2-Pack) — $34.99(List Price $69.99)

Ring Battery Doorbell Plus Video Doorbell (2023 Release) — $79.99(List Price $149.99)

Shark AV2501S AI Robot Vacuum With Self-Empty Base — $229.99(List Price $549.99)

Amazon Fire HD 10 32GB Tablet (2023 Release, Black) — $69.99(List Price $139.99)

Wyze Cam v4 2K Wired Wi-Fi Smart Security Camera — $25.95(List Price $35.98)

Products available for purchase through affiliate links. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

Currently, Amazon Fire's software is a custom version of the Android operating system that's been modified for simple functionality to fit the more budget-friendly consumer demand. Amazon's most expensive tablet, the Fire Max 11 costs $230, compared the cheapest iPad, which is $350. Amazon is reportedly discussing a $400 price point for the new Fire tablet, although further details are unknown.

Amazon has strategically sold cheaper tablets to appeal to budget-friendly consumers, but that reportedly makes the profit margins slim and the strategy has "held back sales, particularly among consumers who seek higher-performing devices," according to the report. Simpler tablets means compromising on features like battery life and screen quality.

Plus, because Amazon makes it own software for the Fire tablets, developers have to make versions of their apps that fit those specific requirements. Amazon has avoided relying on third-party software up to this point. But “consumers have always expressed a concern about not having access to the latest Android versions, not having access to some of their apps because Amazon used their own store,” IT researcher Jitesh Ubrani told Reuters.

The next Fire tablet is due next year, meaning we could see an Android-powered, more expensive Fire tablet very soon.