Looking for an affordable tablet for entertainment or basic tasks? The Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) and Lenovo Tab M8 (3rd Gen) are popular contenders. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? We'll break down their features, performance, and value to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lenovo Tab M8 (3rd Gen) edges out the Fire HD 8 (2022) thanks to its slightly more powerful processor and more modern chipset. While the Fire HD 8 boasts Amazon's ecosystem, the Tab M8 provides a more versatile Android experience for a similar price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 19, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| EDGE | N/A | - |
| GPRS | N/A | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 21 | 2021, June 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 21 | Available. Released 2022, February |
| 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) | 199.1 x 121.8 x 8.2 mm (7.84 x 4.80 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 337 g (11.89 oz) | 305 g (10.76 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~66.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~76.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TDDI IPS LCD, 350 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8169A | Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 2EE MC2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11, Fire OS 8 | Android 11 (Go edition) - 2 GB RAM versionAndroid 11 - 3 GB RAM version |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity |
| | Alexa natural language commands
Text-to-Speech English-language content reader | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | - |
| Talk time | Up to 13 h | - |
| Type | - | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Denim, Rose | Iron Grey, Platinum Grey |
| Models | KFRAWI | - |
| Price | About 110 EUR | - |
Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022)
- Tight Amazon ecosystem integration
- Affordable price
- Improved speakers compared to previous generations
- USB-C charging
- Limited app store (Amazon Appstore)
- Less powerful processor
- Basic camera quality
- Can feel sluggish with demanding apps
Lenovo Tab M8 (3rd Gen)
- More powerful processor (Helio P22T)
- Full Android experience (Google Play Store)
- Slightly better display quality
- More versatile app compatibility
- Build quality feels a bit cheaper
- Slower charging speed
- Basic camera quality
- Less integrated ecosystem
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature an 8-inch HD display, offering decent visuals for media consumption. However, the Tab M8's slightly better color accuracy and potentially brighter panel give it a minor edge. The Fire HD 8's display is perfectly adequate, but not exceptional.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department. Both offer basic front and rear cameras suitable for video calls and occasional snapshots. Image quality is generally low and not a selling point for either device. Expect grainy images and limited low-light performance.
Performance
The Lenovo Tab M8 (3rd Gen)'s MT8768T Helio P22T chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the Fire HD 8's MT8169A. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the Tab M8. The Fire HD 8 is adequate for basic tasks but can feel sluggish under heavier loads.
Battery Life
Battery life is comparable between the two, typically offering around 8-10 hours of mixed usage. Both devices support charging via USB-C, but the Fire HD 8's 15W charging is slightly faster than the Tab M8's charging speed (estimated around 10W). Actual battery life will vary depending on usage patterns.
Buying Guide
The Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) is ideal for Amazon ecosystem users who primarily stream Prime Video, Kindle books, and use Amazon apps. The Lenovo Tab M8 (3rd Gen) is a better choice for those seeking a more open Android experience, wider app compatibility, and a slightly more responsive performance for general use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I install Google Play Store on the Fire HD 8?
While possible, installing the Google Play Store on the Fire HD 8 is a complex process and not officially supported by Amazon. It may void your warranty and introduce instability.
❓ Which tablet is better for kids?
Both tablets are suitable for kids. The Fire HD 8 benefits from Amazon Kids+, offering parental controls and curated content. The Tab M8 provides more flexibility with app choices, but requires more parental oversight.