Amazon Fire tablets stand out as remarkably affordable options in the tablet market, offering a blend of satisfactory display quality, adequate performance for everyday tasks, and incredibly accessible price points. Typically, you can find an Amazon Fire tablet priced anywhere from $60 to $230. Notably, Amazon frequently offers substantial discounts, especially during events like Amazon Prime Day, where prices can drop even further, such as the entry-level Fire 7 at $40 and the Fire Max 11 at $150 during Prime Day 2023.
However, deciding on the ideal Amazon Fire tablet can be challenging. While Amazon does provide a rudimentary comparison chart on their product pages, a more in-depth exploration is often needed to uncover crucial specifications. For those looking to delve deeper into the technical details, resources are available, but for a quick and easy comparison, we’ve compiled a comprehensive table for you.
Below is a detailed Amazon Fire tablet comparison table designed to help you easily evaluate and select the best model to suit your needs.
| Model | Amazon Fire 7 (2022) | Amazon Fire HD 8 (2024) | Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) | Amazon Fire Max 11 |
|—|—|—|—|
| Display Size & Resolution | 7 inch, 1024 x 600 | 8 inch, 1280 x 800 | 10 inch, 1920 x 1200 | 11 inch, 2000 x 1200 pixels |
| Internal Storage Options | 16GB or 32GB + microSD (up to 1TB) | 32GB or 64GB + microSD (up to 1TB) | 32GB or 64GB + microSD (up to 1TB) | 64GB or 128GB + microSD card reader (up to 1TB) |
| RAM Capacity | 2GB | 3GB (32GB storage) or 4GB (64GB storage) | 3GB | 4GB |
| Processor (CPU) | MediaTek MT8168V 4 x ARM Cortex-A53 @ 2 GHz | MediaTek MT8169A 6 x ARM Cortex-A55 @ 2 GHz | MediaTek MT8186A 2 x Cortex-A76 @ 2.05 GHz & 6 x ARM Cortex-A55 @ 2 GHz | MediaTek MT8188J 2 x ARM Cortex-A78 @ 2.2 GHz & 6 x Cortex-A55 @ 2 GHz |
| Graphics Card (GPU) | Mali-G52 3EE MC1 | Mali-G52 2EE MC2 | Mali-G52 2EE MC2 @ 1 GHz | Mali-G57 MC2 @ 950 MHz |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours | Up to 13 hours | Up to 13 hours | Up to 14 hours |
| Connectivity Ports | USB 2.0 Type-C | USB 2.0 Type-C | USB 2.0 Type-C | USB 2.0 Type-C |
| Charging Time | 4 hours (5W wired) | – 5 hours (5W wired charger included) – 3 hours (9W wired charger, sold separately) – 2.5 hours (15W wired charger – sold separately) | – 4 hours (with included 9W charger) – 3 hours (with a 15W charger) | – 4.2 hours (9W) – 3.5 hours (15W) |
| Audio Output | Mono speaker, 3.5mm headphone jack | Stereo speakers, 3.5mm headphone jack | Stereo speakers, 3.5mm headphone jack | Stereo speakers |
| WiFi Standard | WiFi 5 | WiFi 5 | WiFi 5 | WiFi 6 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Camera Specs | 2MP rear (720p), 2MP front(720p) | 5MP rear (1080p), 2MP front (720p) | 5MP rear (1080p), 5MP front (1080p) | 8MP front, 8MP rear |
| Operating System | Fire OS 8 | Fire OS 8 | Fire OS 8 | Fire OS 8 |
| Available Accessories | – Cover – Screen protector | – Cover – Screen protector | – Cover – Screen protector – Bluetooth keyboard case – Stylus (4096 pressure levels) | – Cover – Screen protector – 2-in-1 detachable keyboard – Stylus (4096 pressure levels) |
| Dimensions | 180.7 x 117.6 x 9.7mm | 202 x 137 x 9.6mm | 246 x 165 x 8.6mm | 259.1 x 163.7 x 7.50mm |
| Weight | 282 grams | 337 grams | 434 grams | 490 grams |
| Starting Price (MSRP) | $60 | $100 | $140 | $230 |
Performance Benchmarks and Real-World Usage
While direct hands-on testing of every current Fire tablet generation wasn’t possible, personal experience with a 2020 Fire HD 8 (2GB RAM) and a 2019 Fire HD 10 reveals noticeable performance differences. The enhanced CPU and graphics capabilities of the 10-inch model contribute to a more responsive user experience. These disparities are also reflected in benchmark tests like GeekBench, PCMark, and 3DMark, showcasing the performance gaps between different models.
Geekbench benchmark scores comparing performance across different Amazon Fire HD tablet models.
3DMark benchmark results illustrating graphics performance variations among Amazon Fire tablets.
The latest Amazon Fire Max 11 is expected to deliver a significant performance boost. Amazon states that its MediaTek MT8188J processor is up to 50% faster compared to the MT8183 chip used in the Fire HD 10 tablets of 2019 and 2021. This improvement positions the Fire Max 11 as the most powerful option within the Fire tablet lineup, suitable for more demanding applications and smoother multitasking.
Amazon Fire Kids Edition and Kids Pro Models
For families with children, Amazon offers specialized Kids Editions of each Fire tablet. These versions are slightly more expensive but come with added benefits such as a robust bumper case for enhanced durability, a year-long subscription to Amazon Kids+ providing access to a wealth of child-friendly content, and a 2-year worry-free guarantee, ensuring replacement of damaged tablets without questions asked.
Recently, Amazon also launched new Kids Pro versions of their tablets. These Pro models feature a slimmer protective case, maintain the 2-year worry-free guarantee and Kids+ subscription, but offer a more mature user interface and additional features, including access to a curated app store experience tailored for older children.
Fire OS and App Ecosystem
It’s important to note that all Amazon Fire tablets operate on Fire OS, which is a customized version of Google Android. This operating system features a unique home screen and app launcher that prioritize Amazon’s services and applications. Instead of the Google Play Store, Fire tablets come pre-installed with the Amazon Appstore.
While the Amazon Appstore offers a wide selection of apps, users have the option to install Google Play on Amazon Fire tablets or customize their tablets further using tools like Fire Toolbox. However, it’s worth noting that compatibility with all Android apps is not guaranteed after these modifications.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Amazon Fire Tablet
Overall, Amazon Fire tablets excel as media consumption devices. Their affordability also makes them excellent gadgets for basic video conferencing via apps like Zoom for Fire tablets, despite their generally modest camera quality.
However, for users seeking high-performance tablets for gaming or demanding productivity tasks, alternatives like iPads or Samsung tablets may be more suitable. Amazon Fire tablets cater best to users who prioritize budget-friendliness and are looking for devices primarily for media consumption, reading, and light tasks. By comparing the specifications and features outlined in this guide, you can make an informed decision on the best Amazon Fire tablet to meet your specific needs and budget.
This article was originally published July 20, 2020 and last updated October 2, 2024.
