The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, and two popular contenders are the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020). Both offer affordable access to entertainment and basic productivity, but they cater to different needs. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) offers faster charging (including wireless), a slightly newer processor, and tighter Amazon ecosystem integration. However, the Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020) boasts a superior display and a more versatile Android experience. For Amazon users, the Fire wins; for broader Android functionality, the Samsung takes the lead.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13, 20, 66 |
| EDGE | N/A | - |
| GPRS | N/A | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 21 | 2020, March 25. Released 2020, March 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 21 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 201.9 x 137.4 x 9.6 mm (7.95 x 5.41 x 0.38 in) | 202 x 125.2 x 7.1 mm (7.95 x 4.93 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 342 g (12.06 oz) | 309 g (10.90 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~66.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.4 inches, 204.6 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8169A | Exynos 7904 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 2EE MC2 | Mali-G71 MP2 |
| OS | Android 11, Fire OS 8 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| 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 |
| | Alexa natural language commands
Text-to-Speech English-language content reader | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired
10W wireless | Wired |
| Talk time | Up to 13 h | - |
| Type | - | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Mocha |
| Models | KFRAPWI | SM-T307U |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 240 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.35 W/kg (body) |
Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022)
- Faster Charging (15W wired, 10W wireless)
- Slightly Newer Processor
- Amazon Ecosystem Integration
- Improved Speakers
- Lower Resolution Display
- Limited App Selection (compared to Google Play Store)
- Amazon's UI can be restrictive
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020)
- Superior Display Quality
- Full Android Experience (Google Play Store)
- More Versatile App Selection
- Sleek Design
- Slower Charging
- Older Processor
- Less Integrated Ecosystem (outside of Samsung services)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020) features a significantly better display. Its 2000 x 1200 resolution on an 8.4-inch screen results in a sharper, more vibrant picture than the Fire HD 8 Plus's 1280 x 800 resolution. While both are LCD panels, the Samsung's color accuracy and viewing angles are noticeably superior. The Fire's display is adequate for basic use, but the Samsung is a clear winner for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department. Both feature basic 8MP rear cameras and 2MP front cameras. Image quality is adequate for video calls but not suitable for serious photography. The Samsung's camera software might offer slightly more features, but the overall experience is similar on both devices.
Performance
The Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) has a slight edge in raw processing power thanks to its Mediatek MT8169A chipset and hexa-core processor. While the Samsung's Exynos 7904 (octa-core) has a more complex architecture with two powerful Cortex-A73 cores, the Fire's newer processor and optimized software generally result in smoother performance for everyday tasks. However, neither tablet is a powerhouse; expect some lag with demanding apps or multitasking.
Battery Life
The Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) offers a respectable battery life, typically lasting around 10-12 hours of mixed use. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020) also provides good battery life, around 8-10 hours. The Fire's advantage lies in its faster charging capabilities, including wireless charging, which significantly reduces charging time.
Buying Guide
The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) is ideal for users deeply invested in the Amazon ecosystem, primarily consuming content from Prime Video, Kindle, and Audible. It's a great choice for casual users and families. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020) is better suited for those who want a more standard Android tablet experience with access to the Google Play Store and a wider range of apps, and appreciate a higher quality display.
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 may void your warranty and introduce instability.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 good for gaming?
The Galaxy Tab A 8.4 is suitable for casual games, but its older processor may struggle with more demanding titles. The Fire HD 8 Plus offers slightly better gaming performance, but neither is a dedicated gaming tablet.
