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Amazon has not confirmed that it is replacing Fire OS. Reuters reported on August 20, 2025, citing six people familiar with the plans, that Amazon was preparing a higher-end tablet codenamed Kittyhawk and considering open-source Android for it. The report described a possible 2026 release and an internally discussed price of about $400—not a launch announcement, final specification, or confirmed retail price.
What Reuters reported about Amazon’s Kittyhawk tablet
Reuters, in a report republished by Investing.com, said Amazon was working on a higher-end tablet under the internal codename Kittyhawk and considering a move from its own Fire OS software to open-source Android. The report attributed the information to six people familiar with the matter; Amazon had not announced the device in the cited material. Read the Reuters report republished by Investing.com.
The reported target was to release the device as soon as 2026, and sources said a price of roughly $400 had been discussed internally. Both details were plans and estimates at the time of the report. They should not be treated as a confirmed release date or price.
The report framed Kittyhawk as part of an effort to compete higher in the tablet market, including against Apple. It did not establish that Amazon would stop making Fire OS tablets or move its existing range to Android.
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Is Amazon replacing Fire OS with Android?
There is no confirmation in the cited sources that Amazon has replaced Fire OS or discontinued it. Amazon’s developer portal still describes Fire OS as the operating system used on Fire tablets and Fire TV devices, and calls it a fork of Android. Amazon’s Fire Tablets developer page provides the platform overview.
That distinction matters: the reported change would not be a jump from an unrelated operating system to Android. It would be a possible shift from Amazon’s Android-derived fork to open-source Android for a new device. Amazon’s developer documentation covers Fire OS versions 5 through 8; it notes that Fire OS 8 supports Android 11 API-level checks. See Amazon’s Fire OS 8 documentation.
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Reuters reported that open-source Android could be customized without direct coordination with Google. The report does not say whether Kittyhawk would include Google Play, Google Mobile Services, or a stock Android interface. An Android foundation alone does not answer those questions.
What the reported change could mean for apps and services
For buyers, the operating-system label is less important than the apps and services a particular tablet supports. Fire OS is Android-based, but that does not mean every Android app is available on Fire tablets. Likewise, the reported use of open-source Android on Kittyhawk does not establish access to Google Play or Google’s mobile services.
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- App availability: Wait for Amazon to specify the device’s app store and supported services before assuming your essential apps will be available.
- Amazon services: The Reuters report does not detail which Amazon apps or features would be built into Kittyhawk.
- Interface and updates: It does not establish whether the tablet would use a stock Android interface, how it would be customized, or what update policy Amazon might offer.
How Kittyhawk compares with Amazon’s current Fire tablets
Kittyhawk is not an established retail model in the cited sources. Amazon’s official specification pages list current Fire HD models, including the Fire HD 8 12th generation, released in 2024. Those specifications describe existing products, not Kittyhawk. View Amazon’s Fire tablet specifications.
Amazon announced updated Fire HD 8 tablets in 2024, before the Kittyhawk report. That product announcement shows the Fire tablet family was still being developed then; it does not confirm a subsequent operating-system change. Read Amazon’s Fire HD 8 announcement.
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| Question | Current Fire HD models | Reported Kittyhawk plans |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Fire OS, which Amazon describes as an Android fork. | Reuters reported that Amazon was considering open-source Android; no final software details were established. |
| Price | Varies by model and configuration; check Amazon’s current listing. | About $400 was reportedly discussed internally, not announced as retail pricing. |
| Hardware | Amazon publishes specifications for listed models. | Final display, performance, battery, and accessory specifications were not stated in the Reuters report. |
| Availability | Models and configurations depend on Amazon’s current listings. | The report described a possible release as soon as 2026; it did not establish a retail listing or confirmed launch. |
Without confirmed Kittyhawk specifications, there is no sound basis for claiming it would match a particular iPad in performance, display, battery life, or accessories. The reported price also cannot be compared fairly with an iPad without a confirmed configuration and a current price for the specific Apple model.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why Amazon may be looking higher in the tablet market
Reuters’ August 20, 2025 report attributed second-quarter global tablet shipment shares of 33.1% to Apple, 18.7% to Samsung, 8.2% to Lenovo, and 8.0% to Amazon. These are figures for that quarter, not current market shares, and Reuters did not identify the original data publisher in the material cited here. They provide context for the report’s competitive framing, but do not prove that Kittyhawk would win customers from Apple.
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- Stream or download your favorite shows, movies, and games (like Minecraft, Roblox, and more). Enjoy your favorite content from Facebook, Hulu, Instagram, TikTok, and more through Amazon’s Appstore (Google Play not supported. Subscription for some apps required).
Should you wait for Kittyhawk or buy a Fire tablet?
If you need a tablet now, compare the Fire models Amazon currently lists against your app, service, and hardware needs. Treat Kittyhawk as an unconfirmed future product, not a model you can order or a guaranteed replacement for existing Fire tablets. Check Amazon’s product pages and announcements for availability and specifications before buying.
If you are considering waiting, the key unanswered questions are whether Amazon formally announced the device, when it would ship, what it would cost, which apps and services it would support, and how its hardware would compare with alternatives. The Reuters report warned that internal plans could change. The sources cited here do not establish whether Kittyhawk was announced, launched, delayed, or canceled by September 30, 2026.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
