Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) vs Apple iPad mini (2021): Which Tablet Should You Buy?
| Phones Images | |||||
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPad mini (2021) is the clear winner in terms of performance and display quality, thanks to the A15 Bionic chip and stunning screen. However, the Fire HD 8 (2022) offers incredible value for those on a tight budget, making it a solid choice for basic tasks and media consumption.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) | Apple iPad mini (2021) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| EDGE | N/A | - |
| GPRS | N/A | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 21 | 2021, September 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 21 | Available. Released 2021, September 24 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 201.9 x 137.4 x 9.6 mm (7.95 x 5.41 x 0.38 in) | 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm (7.69 x 5.31 x 0.25 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 337 g (11.89 oz) | 293 g (Wi-Fi) / 297 g (Wi-Fi + Cellular) (10.34 oz) |
| - | Stylus support (2nd gen only) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 1488 x 2266 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~327 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~66.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.3 inches, 203.9 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Hexa-core (2x2.93 GHz + 4xX.X GHz) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8169A | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 2EE MC2 | Apple GPU (5-core) |
| OS | Android 11, Fire OS 8 | iPadOS 15, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 2 MP | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Alexa natural language commands Text-to-Speech English-language content reader | - | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | - |
| Talk time | Up to 13 h | - |
| Type | - | Li-Ion 5078 mAh (19.3 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Denim, Rose | Space Gray, Pink, Purple, Starlight |
| Models | KFRAWI | A2568, iPad14,1, iPad14,2 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 550 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Loudspeaker | - | -29.7 LUFS (Average) |
Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022)
- Affordable price
- Decent battery life
- Lightweight and portable
- Access to Amazon's ecosystem
- Lower performance
- Less vibrant display
- Limited app selection compared to iOS
- Plastic build quality
Apple iPad mini (2021)
- Powerful A15 Bionic chip
- Stunning display
- Access to the Apple ecosystem
- Premium build quality
- Excellent performance
- Higher price
- Limited storage options on base models
- Lightning port instead of USB-C
Display Comparison
The iPad mini (2021) boasts a significantly superior display with a 1325:1 contrast ratio and a measured 518 nits of brightness. Colors are more vibrant, and the viewing experience is simply better. The Fire HD 8 has a decent display for its price, but it lacks the iPad mini's clarity and brightness. Resolution is also lower on the Fire HD 8.
Camera Comparison
While neither tablet excels in camera quality, the iPad mini (2021) generally produces slightly better photos and videos. Both cameras are best suited for casual snapshots rather than serious photography. Expect grainy images in low light on both devices.
Performance
The A15 Bionic chip in the iPad mini (2021) is a powerhouse, offering vastly superior performance compared to the Mediatek MT8169A in the Fire HD 8. Apps launch faster, multitasking is smoother, and demanding games run without issue. The Fire HD 8 is adequate for basic tasks, but struggles with more intensive applications.
Battery Life
Both devices offer respectable battery life. The iPad mini (2021) typically provides around 10 hours of usage, while the Fire HD 8 can last for up to 12 hours. Actual battery life will vary depending on usage patterns.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022)? Users seeking an affordable tablet for reading, browsing, and light entertainment. Who should buy the Apple iPad mini (2021)? Users prioritizing performance, a premium display, and access to the Apple ecosystem, even if it comes at a higher price.