Looking for an affordable tablet for entertainment, browsing, or light productivity? The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite are popular contenders. But which one offers the best value and features for your needs? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite edges out the Fire HD 8 Plus thanks to its more versatile Android OS, slightly better performance, and expandable storage. However, the Fire HD 8 Plus boasts 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, 40, 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 | 2021, May 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 21 | Available. Released 2021, June 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame, plastic ends |
| Dimensions | 201.9 x 137.4 x 9.6 mm (7.95 x 5.41 x 0.38 in) | 212.5 x 124.7 x 8 mm (8.37 x 4.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 342 g (12.06 oz) | 366 g (Wi-Fi), 371 g (LTE) (12.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~66.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT LCD |
| 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, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 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 | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo 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, 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 5100 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Gray, Silver |
| Models | KFRAPWI | SM-T225, SM-T220, SM-T225N, SM-T227U |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.68 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.64 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022)
- Wireless charging
- Tight Amazon ecosystem integration
- Improved speakers
- Slightly brighter display
- Less powerful processor
- Limited app selection (Amazon Appstore)
- No expandable storage
- Less versatile OS
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
- More powerful processor
- Expandable storage (microSD)
- Full Android OS with Google Play Store
- Slightly better display resolution
- No wireless charging
- Basic camera quality
- Plastic build feels less premium
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature 8-inch displays, but the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite has a slightly higher resolution (800x1280 vs. 1280x800 on the Fire HD 8 Plus). This results in a sharper image on the A7 Lite. The A7 Lite also has a slightly better color accuracy. The Fire HD 8 Plus has a brighter display, which can be beneficial in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in camera quality. The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite has a slightly better main camera (8MP vs 5MP on the Fire HD 8 Plus), but image quality remains basic on both. Don't expect to take stunning photos with either device.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite's MT8768T Helio P22T chipset, while still entry-level, generally outperforms the Fire HD 8 Plus's MT8169A. The A7 Lite's octa-core processor and 12nm process offer a noticeable boost in responsiveness and multitasking capabilities. The Fire HD 8 Plus can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Battery life is comparable between the two, typically lasting around 8-10 hours of mixed usage. The Fire HD 8 Plus has a slightly smaller battery capacity, but software optimization can sometimes compensate.
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. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a better pick for those wanting a more open Android experience, expandable storage, and broader app compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I use Google Play Store on the Fire HD 8 Plus?
No, the Fire HD 8 Plus uses the Amazon Appstore, which has a more limited selection of apps compared to Google Play Store.
❓ Does the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite support expandable storage?
Yes, the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite has a microSD card slot, allowing you to expand storage up to 1TB.
❓ Which tablet is better for streaming movies?
Both are decent for streaming, but the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite's slightly better display and more responsive performance give it a slight edge.
❓ Is the Fire HD 8 Plus good for kids?
Yes, the Fire HD 8 Plus is a popular choice for kids, thanks to parental controls and access to kid-friendly content on Amazon Kids+.
