The budget tablet market is heating up! Both the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) and the Lenovo Tab M9 offer compelling features at affordable prices. But which one delivers the best overall experience? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lenovo Tab M9 edges out the Fire HD 8 Plus thanks to its more powerful processor, brighter display, and cleaner Android experience. While the Fire HD 8 Plus boasts wireless charging and tight Amazon integration, the M9's performance and versatility make it the slightly better pick for most users.
| 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, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | N/A | - |
| GPRS | N/A | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 21 | 2022, December 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 21 | Available. Released 2023, March 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 201.9 x 137.4 x 9.6 mm (7.95 x 5.41 x 0.38 in) | 215.4 x 136.8 x 8 mm (8.48 x 5.39 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 342 g (12.06 oz) | 344 g (12.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~173 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~66.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 9.0 inches, 230.0 cm2 (~78.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8169A | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 2EE MC2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, Fire OS 8 | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 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, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 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
10W wireless | 10W wired |
| Talk time | Up to 13 h | - |
| Type | - | Li-Po 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Arctic Grey, Frost Blue |
| Models | KFRAPWI | TB310FU |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 180 EUR |
Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022)
- Wireless charging
- Tight Amazon ecosystem integration
- Alexa voice assistant
- Expandable storage (microSD)
- Good value for Amazon content consumption
- Limited app selection (Amazon Appstore)
- Less powerful processor
- Lower resolution display
- Less versatile than Android tablets
Lenovo Tab M9
- More powerful processor (Helio G80)
- Brighter and higher resolution display
- Full Android experience (Google Play Store)
- Better multitasking performance
- Sleeker design
- No wireless charging
- Plastic build quality
- Camera quality is average
Display Comparison
The Lenovo Tab M9 features a brighter 2000x1200 resolution display, offering a noticeably sharper and more vibrant visual experience compared to the Fire HD 8 Plus's 1280x800 display. While both have similar screen sizes (8 inches), the M9's improved panel makes a difference in outdoor visibility and overall image quality.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department, typical for budget devices. The Fire HD 8 Plus has a front and rear camera, both offering basic functionality. The Lenovo Tab M9 also has front and rear cameras, with slightly improved specs on paper, but image quality remains modest on both.
Performance
The Lenovo Tab M9's Helio G80 chipset provides a significant performance boost over the Fire HD 8 Plus's MT8169A. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a better gaming experience. The M9's octa-core processor with Cortex-A75 cores offers a noticeable advantage.
Battery Life
Both tablets offer respectable battery life, typically lasting around 8-10 hours of mixed usage. The Fire HD 8 Plus has a slightly smaller battery capacity, but the difference in real-world usage is minimal. Neither tablet offers particularly fast charging, though the Fire HD 8 Plus has wireless charging.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022)? Users deeply invested in the Amazon ecosystem, those prioritizing wireless charging, and those seeking a simple, media-focused tablet. Who should buy the Lenovo Tab M9? Users wanting a more versatile Android tablet with better performance for gaming and multitasking, and those who prefer a less restrictive software experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I install Google Play Store on the Fire HD 8 Plus?
While possible, installing the Google Play Store on the Fire HD 8 Plus is a complex process and not officially supported by Amazon. It can void your warranty and may introduce instability.
❓ Is the Lenovo Tab M9 good for gaming?
The Lenovo Tab M9's Helio G80 processor provides decent gaming performance for casual games. However, it may struggle with more demanding titles at higher settings.
