Looking for an affordable tablet for entertainment, browsing, or light productivity? The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 (2020) are popular contenders in the budget tablet space. But which one offers the best value for your money?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 (2020) edges out the Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) thanks to its more powerful processor, larger screen, and access to the Google Play Store. However, the Fire HD 8 Plus offers wireless charging and tighter Amazon ecosystem integration, making it a strong choice for Amazon Prime 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, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | N/A | - |
| GPRS | N/A | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/50 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 21 | 2020, September 02. Released 2020, September 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 21 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 201.9 x 137.4 x 9.6 mm (7.95 x 5.41 x 0.38 in) | 247.6 x 157.4 x 7 mm (9.75 x 6.20 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 342 g (12.06 oz) | 476 g (Wi-Fi), 477 g (LTE) (1.05 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~66.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~79.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8169A | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 2EE MC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, Fire OS 8 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB 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 | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Alexa natural language commands
Text-to-Speech English-language content reader | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired
10W wireless | 15W wired |
| Talk time | Up to 13 h | - |
| Type | - | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Dark Gray, Silver, Gold |
| Models | KFRAPWI | SM-T500, SM-T505, SM-T505N |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 240 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 1.01 W/kg (body) |
Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022)
- Wireless Charging
- Tight Amazon Ecosystem Integration
- Affordable Price
- Improved Speakers (2022 Model)
- Less Powerful Processor
- Limited App Selection (Amazon Appstore)
- Basic Camera Quality
- Plastic Build
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 (2020)
- Larger Display
- More Powerful Processor
- Access to Google Play Store
- Better Performance
- More Versatile
- No Wireless Charging
- Older Model
- Plastic Build
- Mediocre Camera
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 boasts a larger 10.4-inch display compared to the Fire HD 8 Plus's 8-inch screen. While both offer HD resolution, the Tab A7's larger size provides a more immersive viewing experience for videos and games. The Tab A7 also generally has slightly better color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department. Both offer basic 8MP rear cameras and 2MP front cameras suitable for video calls but not high-quality photography. Image quality is generally mediocre on both devices.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7's Snapdragon 662 chipset significantly outperforms the Fire HD 8 Plus's MT8169A. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive overall experience on the Tab A7. The Fire HD 8 Plus is adequate for basic tasks but struggles with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both tablets offer similar battery life, typically lasting around 8-10 hours of mixed usage. The Fire HD 8 Plus has a slight edge due to its smaller screen, but the difference is minimal.
Buying Guide
The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) is ideal for Amazon Prime members who prioritize media consumption, easy access to Amazon services, and wireless charging. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 (2020) is better suited for users who want a more versatile tablet with access to the Google Play Store, a larger display for media, and a generally smoother performance 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 may void your warranty and introduce instability.
❓ Is the Fire HD 8 Plus good for gaming?
The Fire HD 8 Plus is suitable for casual games, but its limited processing power makes it struggle with more demanding titles. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 offers a better gaming experience.
