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Kindle Fire vs iPad – Which tablet is best for you?

February 20, 2023 Marko Vujović

kindle fire vs ipad
Contents show
Kindle Fire vs iPad – Overview
Kindle Fire
iPad
Features Face to Face
Display
Design and Build
Performance
Camera
Sound
Accessories and Compatibility
Software and Connectivity
Battery Life
Warranty and Support
Recommended Kindle Fire Tablet
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)
Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus
Recommended iPad Tablet
Apple iPad Pro
Apple iPad (10th-gen)
Price
Conclusion

When choosing a tablet, there are a lot of brands to consider. iPads are arguably the best-known, but Amazon has made enormous strides toward competing with Apple. Amazon’s initial offering featured Kindle e-readers, and it now includes Kindle Fire tablets. After four Kindle Fire generations, Amazon dropped the name “Kindle” and rebranded them as Amazon Fire tablets.

In this Kindle Fire vs iPad comparison, I’ll explain how the Fire tablets compare to Apple’s iPad lineup. Keep in mind this is a Fire tablet vs iPad tablet comparison, and I won’t be comparing two specific models here but rather one lineup to another.

Kindle Fire vs iPad – Overview

Kindle Fire

Amazon Kindle Fire
Amazon Kindle Fire

The first Kindle Fire was released in 2011 and marked Amazon’s expansion from e-readers to tablets. Kindle Fire tablets use Fire OS, an Android derivative. They come in five screen sizes (6″, 7″, 8″, 8.9″, & 10″) and offer an app-packed, low-cost alternative to higher-priced brands such as Apple’s iPad.

Amazon, the leading company (by revenue) among the “Big Five” American tech companies, has outgrown its original retail-only approach to offer a range of devices powered by Fire OS, including tablets, e-readers, TVs, and more.

Pros:

  • Affordable prices
  • Great for entertainment
  • Integrated streaming providers
  • Cross-platform compatibility

Cons:

  • Lower performance
  • Lower battery capacity

iPad

Apple iPad Mini
Apple iPad Mini

Apple released the first iPad in 2010. Even then, iPads were a noticeable improvement upon other tablets and have continued to offer the best of the best among tablet producers. They offer some of the best tablet displays available, immense performance, and a long list of features that benefit you in work, play, and everything in between. Apple offers several types; regular iPads, the iPad Air, Pro, and Mini versions.

Apple, another member of the “Big Five,” has managed to change how we use personal devices many times since its inception. Starting with the first macintosh computers and culminating with the iPad and iPhone lineups, Apple never fails to push the envelope.

Pros:

  • Workhorse hardware
  • Excellent performance
  • Excellent displays
  • Longer warranty

Cons:

  • High prices
  • Compatibility

Features Face to Face

Display

While Amazon struck gold with Kindle e-reader displays, the Kindle Fire tablets offered a standard tablet display experience not very comparable to what iPads have to offer. The current lineup of Fire HD tablets makes up for this and offers IPS displays with HD resolutions.

Model (current offering)Display Size & TypeResolution
Fire 7 (12th-gen)7″ IPS LCD1024 x 600 (~171 ppi)
Fire HD 8 (12th-gen)8″ IPS LCD800 x 1280 (~189 ppi)
Fire HD 8 Plus (12th-gen)8″ IPS LCD800 x 1280 (~189 ppi)
Fire HD 10 (11th-gen)10.1″ IPS LCD1920 x 1200 (~224 ppi)
Fire HD 10 Plus (11th-gen)10.1″ IPS LCD1920 x 1200 (~224 ppi)
iPad Pro 12.9 (6th-gen)12.9″ LRD XDR2732 x 2048 (~264 ppi)
iPad Pro 11 (4th-gen)11″ LRD2388 x 1668 (~264 ppi)
iPad Air (5th-gen)10.9″ LRD2360 x 1640 (~264 ppi)
iPad (10th-gen)10.9″ LRD2360 x 1640 (~264 ppi)
iPad (9th-gen)10.″ LRD2160 x 1620 (~264 ppi)
iPad Mini (6th-gen)8.3″ LRD2266 x 1488 (~326 ppi)

Even a quick glance through the table above proves that iPads offer higher resolutions and more pixels per inch than any Kindle Fire, Fire, or Fire HD tablet. iPads also offer larger displays on average, cementing their place as the winner here.

Winner: iPad

Design and Build

In general, Kindle Fire tablets feature smaller screen-to-body ratios (66-72%) than iPads (77-83%) and have thick edges around their display. Aesthetically, iPads are elegantly designed. Kindle Fire tablets look good too, but how a tablet looks isn’t truly important.

Kindle Fire tablets are pretty durable, according to user feedback. Judging by user comments I’ve read, they can take a beating and still pull off years of service. Frankly, I haven’t had mine long enough to attest to that, but I always consider user feedback as my No.1 source of info. iPads can take a beating too, but they can also break if you’re not careful. I suggest purchasing protective glass for both.

Winner: iPad

Performance

Amazon Fire HD 10 vs iPad Pro 11 Geekbench Benchmarks
Amazon Fire HD 10 vs iPad Pro 11 Geekbench Benchmarks

Performance is in the iPad’s favor. I ran benchmark tests on my Amazon Fire HD 10 and HD 8 tablets and compared the results to my previous iPad benchmarks. The results? Well, iPads seem to be roughly eight times more powerful than Fire tablets (current offering) in multi-core scores and at least four times as powerful in single-core scores.

Amazon Fire HD 8 vs iPad 10th Gen Geekbench Benchmarks
Amazon Fire HD 8 vs iPad 10th Gen Geekbench Benchmarks

iPads are powerhouses of computational power. The iPad Pro, Air, and even regular iPads can easily replace your run-of-the-mill laptop or desktop if you add a keyboard. Though they have the apps to do so, Kindle Fire tablets can’t replace a work-focused device, as they aren’t meant to handle high workloads beyond streaming and playback.

Winner: iPad

Camera

The majority of Amazon’s Fire tablet offering features a single 5MP (up to 1080p) rear camera and a 2MP (720p) front camera, except for the 12th-gen Fire 7, which has 2MP front and back. The current iPad offering has 12MP cameras (front and back) with 4K and 1080p recording capabilities. If you add Apple’s autofocus feature, you’re looking at complete dominance by iPads in this section.

Winner: iPad

Sound

Most Fire tablets feature built-in stereo speakers and a 3.5mm jack. iPads have ditched 3.5mm jacks, with the 9th-gen entry-level iPad remaining the only iPad to still feature one. The latest iPad Pro models feature four stereo speakers, while other iPads feature two. iPads also feature “studio-quality” microphones.

Winner: iPad

Accessories and Compatibility

work setup
Work setup

One of the cooler features of contemporary tablets (to me as a writer) is the possibility to use a Bluetooth keyboard and convert a tablet into a 2-in-1. This, plus the use of styluses, has completely changed how tablets are used and what you can achieve with them. These can be folio cases such as Apple’s Magic Keyboard or entirely separate Bluetooth keyboards.

Pens

Apple iPad digital art
Apple iPad Illustrations

The Apple Pencil first comes to mind when considering a stylus for your iPad, but iPads also support other styluses. Amazon Fire tablets can pair with just about any stylus. The results of using them differ because iPads offer much better displays and sensitivity to pressure.

Also Read: Our Compilation of the 10 Best Drawing & Art Apps for Tablets

Keyboards

Magic Keyboard Folio Apple iPad
Magic Keyboard Folio for iPad

iPads support Apple’s Magic and Smart Keyboards (depending on the model) and support a wide range of third-party keyboards. Fire tablets also support many third-party keyboards, but you should always check compatibility before purchasing.

Need a good keyboard for your tablet? Read our Best Keyboards for Tablets guide.

Joysticks

Both tablet types support joysticks and Nvidia GeForce NOW, which allows you to play resource-heavy games through subscription-based cloud gaming.

Winner: Draw

Software and Connectivity

Fire tablets use the Fire OS, through the Amazon Appstore, which is compatible with other Android devices, and even Windows 11. The Kindle Store is another readily available feature of Fire OS. Many streaming apps come pre-installed on Fire tablets, such as Prime Video, Netflix, HBO Max, and others. Much of this is available for iPads as well via Apple’s App Store.

Amazon Kids
Amazon Kids

Most apps are available for all devices. Fire tablets have special features such as integrated Alexa, the subscription-based Amazon Kids parental controls, and Kindle. Some Fire tablets support the Google Play Store, but you have to manually install it through a .apk file. This gives Fire tablets the upper hand in software, though iPads offer exceptional software of their own plus a lot of what Fire tablets support.

On the connectivity front, iPads win because every iPad is offered in a Wi-Fi + Cellular version, meaning you’ll stay connected on the go. Current Fire tablets lack this feature ever since Amazon dropped it in 2015.

Winner: iPad

Looking for the best LTE tablet? Read our Best LTE Tablets Guide.

Battery Life

iPads are marketed as offering up to 10 hours of video watching or web surfing via Wi-Fi and 9 hours via Cellular connections. Fire tablets offer anywhere between 8 and 13 hours (mostly 10), depending on the model you choose. You should take any of these marketed battery life figures with a grain of salt because they depend greatly on your apps and use.

Winner: Draw

Also Read:

Warranty and Support

Amazon

Amazon offers different warranties for its current offering. A Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) has a one-year warranty, while the Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) warranty is just 90 days. You can call 1-866-749-7771 to reach Amazon representatives, or you can visit this page for additional info.

AppleCare+

Apple offers a subscription-based warranty called AppleCare+ that is extendable beyond the initial one-year period (on hardware). Apple products also get 90 days of complimentary tech support. You can reach Apple Support by calling 1-800-APLCARE or through their website.

Winner: iPad

Recommended Kindle Fire Tablet

Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)

Amazon Fire 10 HD Plus
Amazon Fire 10 HD Plus

Even though it’s not the newest tablet from the Fire lineup, the Fire HD 10 Plus is certainly the best in terms of size, performance, storage, RAM, and battery life. It’s also quite cheap and can be found, used, and refurbished.

Amazon Fire HD 10 PlusSpecs
ReleasedMay 2021
Dimensions9.72 x 6.54 x 0.36 in
(247 x 166 x 9.2 mm)
Weight16.5 oz(468 g)
ChipsetMediatek MT8183
Octa-core
RAM4GB
Storage32GB, 64GB
OSFire OS 7
BatteryLi-Ion 6,500mAh
ConnectivityWi-Fi 2.4G, 5G
Bluetooth 5
Warranty1-year Limited
PriceCheck Price on Amazon

Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus

Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus
Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus

This is the newest Fire tablet from Amazon (currently). It features the newer Android 11-based Fire OS, a slightly better rear camera, and is also quite affordable. Used units are harder to find currently, but they’ll be along soon enough.

Amazon Fire HD 8 PlusSpecs
ReleasedSeptember 2022
Dimensions7.95 x 5.41 x 0.38 in
(201.9 x 137.4 x 9.6 mm)
Weight12.06 oz
(342 g)
ChipsetMediatek MT8169A
Hexa-core
RAM3GB
Storage32GB, 64GB
OSFire OS 8
Battery LifeLi-Ion 4,850mAh
ConnectivityWi-Fi 2.4G, 5G
Bluetooth 5.2
Warranty90-day Limited
PriceCheck Price on Amazon

Recommended iPad Tablet

Apple iPad Pro

Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch 6th Generation 2022
Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch 6th Generation 2022

It can’t recommend an iPad and skip mentioning one of the Pro versions. They are the best, but they also come at quite a price. Their chipset guarantees performance that will help you overcome any task, so they are primarily workhorse tablets, in my opinion.

iPad Pro 11Specs
ReleasedOctober 2022
Dimensions9.75 x 7.03 x 0.23 inches
(247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm)
Weight466 g (Wi-Fi), 470 g (5G) (16.5 oz)
ChipsetM2
Octa-core
RAM8GB, 16GB
Storage128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
OSiPadOS 16.3
Battery LifeLi-Po 7,538mAh
ConnectivityWi-Fi 6 + Cellular 5G
Bluetooth 5.3
Warranty1-year hardware
PriceCheck Price on Amazon

Apple iPad (10th-gen)

Apple iPad 10th gen
Apple iPad 10th gen

There’s no need to shell out for the Air or Pro versions if you’re deciding between a Fire tablet and an iPad. The entry-level iPad is quite enough for any entertainment you’re looking for from a tablet, and it doubles as a work device.

Apple iPad (10th-gen)Specs
ReleasedOctober 2022
Dimensions9.79 x 7.07 x 0.28 in
(248.6 x 179.5 x 7 mm)
Weight477 g (Wi-Fi) / 481 g (5G) (16.0 oz)
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic
Hexa-core
RAM4GB
Storage64GB, 256GB
OSiPadOS 16.3
Battery Life7,938mAh
ConnectivityWi-Fi 6 + Cellular 5G
Bluetooth 5.3
Warranty1-year hardware
PriceCheck Price on Amaazon

Price

Everyone knows Apple products are expensive. While Fire tablet prices reach just a couple hundred dollars, an iPad can reach a couple thousand after a few customization choices prior to purchase. That’s quite a bit to pay if you’re looking for an entertainment device.

Conclusion

So, what have we learned from this Fire tablet vs iPad comparison? iPads are more powerful and costly. Fire tablets are low-cost entertainment devices for everyday use. Either is a good choice for specific situations, and those depend entirely on you.

If you’re looking for a device that can help you get your work done, create, produce, and then unwind at the end of the day, an iPad is the way to go. If you’re looking for an entertainment device that is only for unwinding after working all day, Fire tablets will get the job done.

About Marko Vujović

Tablets are arguably the hippest form of personal computers. I’ve always had a taste for tech, PCs above all. I’ve been using them for over 20 years. Now I’m exploring how tablets influence our personal lives, work habits, and everything in between.

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