Does Amazon Fire tablet support SIM cards?

Amazon Fire, a series of tables developed by the tech giant, was previously known as Kindle Fire. Furthermore, all these tablets run on Amazon’s custom versions of Google’s Android operating system. This custom version of Android is known as Fire OS. Also, keep in mind Amazon Fire tablets are different from Amazon’s Kindle e-readers. Unlike those, Fire tablets function like every other tablet. Additionally, most devices in the tablet series are only Wi-Fi compatible. Luckily, there are a few models that support both Wi-Fi and cellular network. Therefore, the answer to whether the Amazon Fire tablet models support SIM cards is a resounding yes. But it is also necessary to remember that most tablets don’t.

List of Amazon Fire Tablet Models that Support SIM Cards

Initially, all Amazon Fire tablet models only came with Wi-Fi networking enabled. But then some consumers wanted to use the tablet without Wi-Fi connectivity on the go. Amazon considered this issue and launched some models over time that supported cellular connectivity. Again, not many models support cellular networking. Here is a brief index of cellular models in the Amazon Fire series:

1. Kindle Fire HD 8.9″ 4G (2nd Generation)*
2. Kindle Fire HDX 7″ (3rd Generation)
3. Fire Phone, Fire HDX 8.9 (4th Generation)
4. Kindle Fire HDX 8.9″ (3rd Generation)

The above models either support nano-SIM cards or micro-SIMs (in older versions). Amazon is also planning to launch its tablet models with embedded SIM or eSIM in the future.

Benefits of SIM-enabled Fire Tablets over Wi-Fi-only Ones

There are multiple advantages of using a SIM-enabled Fire tablet model over its Wi-Fi-only counterparts. Though the mobile network models are slightly more expensive, they also offer more mobility and data reliability. The following are some major perks of choosing a cellular network-enabled Amazon Fire tablet:

1. It offers internet connectivity on the go. You don’t need to rely on hotspots from other devices or public Wi-Fi for internet access. Wi-Fi connections have low range, while the cellular data is available wherever your carrier provides a network.
2. Cellular data can be more stable and several times faster than Wi-Fi one. Hence, your connectivity remains secure and dependable with cellular data.
3. If you are living in a country where cellular data is cheaper, paying a few extra bucks to buy a SIM enabled Fire tablet is likely a value for money deal.
4. Because the cellular versions also have Wi-Fi connectivity, you get the best of both worlds. Use Wi-Fi whenever you have access. When you don’t have a Wi-Fi network around, you have the option to utilize your cellular data.
5. Public Wi-Fi is not safe and secure and vulnerable to hacking. Hence, when you are out of your secured Wi-Fi network it is better to use the cellular data only you have access to. Moreover, again, it is faster than the public Wi-Fi network.

Is It Worth It to Buy an Amazon Fire Tablet Model With SIM Compatibility?

It is somewhat more expensive to buy an Amazon Fire tablet with support for SIM cards than the Wi-Fi-only one. Your decision depends on whether you need to use the internet while out and about. If so, you should undoubtedly consider getting one. Contrarily, if your tablet remains in the Wi-Fi zone most of the time, there is no need to spend more money on the combined model. Don’t forget the alternative when you want to use the internet in absence of Wi-Fi with your Wi-Fi-only tablet. You can employ the mobile hotspot feature of your smart device. Use it as a portable Wi-Fi and simply connect your tablet to its network to go online.

Right off the bat, we’ll warn you that you may miss the tons of app choices offered by Google Play Store (over 3 million) and Apple’s App Store (more than 2 million). Amazon’s custom-made Google operating system Fire OS has “only” around 500,000 apps, far less compared to the other two. However, you can still get Google Play Store to work on your Amazon Fire tablets using workarounds we won’t mention. Also, its SIM-enabled versions have gotten quite popular among the masses. Therefore, Amazon will likely launch tablet models with support for embedded SIM shortly.