NextFin news, Amazon, headquartered in Seattle, revealed on August 21, 2025, that it will transition its Fire tablet operating system from its proprietary Fire OS to Google's Android OS. This change will begin with the launch of a higher-end Fire tablet model planned for release in 2026.
The move was confirmed by multiple sources to Reuters and reported by several news outlets including The Hindu and Tech in Asia. The new tablet, codenamed "Kittyhawk," is expected to be priced around $400, nearly double the current Fire Max 11's $230 price point, signaling Amazon's entry into a more premium tablet market segment.
Since the Fire tablet's debut in 2011, Amazon has used a forked version of Android called Fire OS, which required developers to create separate apps for Amazon's app store, limiting app availability. By adopting standard Android, Amazon aims to offer full compatibility with mainstream Android apps and devices, addressing long-standing consumer and developer concerns.
Amazon declined to provide an official comment on the transition. However, insiders described the shift as part of a broader strategic change for the company, which has historically preferred to use its own software platforms. The company will continue to use its Linux-based Vega operating system for lower-priced Fire tablets and some Fire TV devices, with plans to gradually move the entire tablet lineup to Android over time.
Market data from IDC shows Apple leads the tablet market with a 33% share, followed by Samsung at 19%, while Amazon holds about 8%. The Android switch is seen as a move to enhance Amazon's competitiveness in this market.
The announcement was made in Seattle, Washington, where Amazon is headquartered, and the new Android-powered Fire tablet is expected to be available in the United States and other markets starting next year.
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