The tablet market offers a wide spectrum of choices, from premium experiences to budget-friendly options. The Apple iPad 10.2 (2019) represents Apple’s entry-level offering, leveraging its established ecosystem. Conversely, the Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019) aims to deliver a functional tablet experience at a significantly lower price point. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two devices, focusing on performance, display, and overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem and prioritizing performance, the iPad 10.2 (2019) is the clear winner. However, the Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019) provides exceptional value for media consumption and basic tasks, making it ideal for budget-conscious consumers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - A2200 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat16 1024/150 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - A2198 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September 12. Released 2019, September 21 | 2019, September. Released 2019, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5 mm (9.87 x 6.85 x 0.30 in) | 262 x 159 x 9.8 mm (10.31 x 6.26 x 0.39 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | No |
| Weight | 483 g (Wi-Fi) / 493 g (LTE) (1.06 lb) | 504 g (1.11 lb) |
| | Stylus support (1st gen only) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | - |
| Resolution | 1620 x 2160 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~264 ppi density) | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.2 inches, 324.6 cm2 (~74.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.34 GHz (2x Hurricane + 2x Zephyr) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Apple A10 Fusion (16 nm) | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR Series7XT Plus (six-core graphics) | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | iOS 13, upgradable to iPadOS 18.7 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | 20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls | - |
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM |
| Phonebook | 3000 entries | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard), 1.12µm, AF | 2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps, HDR | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 1.2 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard) | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS (Wi‑Fi + Cellular model only) | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | Lightning, USB 2.0; magnetic connector | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML | - |
| Games | Downloadable | - |
| Java | Yes | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS, Email | - |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 400 h (2G) / Up to 150 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 10 h (multimedia) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 8827 mAh, non-removable (32.9 Wh) | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver, Gold, Space Gray | Black, Plum, Twilight Blue, White |
| Models | A2197, A2200, A2198, iPad7,11, iPad7,12 | KFMAWI |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.38 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) |
Apple iPad 10.2 (2019)
- Superior performance with the A10 Fusion chip.
- Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem.
- Long-term software support and updates.
- Higher price point.
- Accessories (Apple Pencil, keyboard) are sold separately and add to the cost.
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019)
- Significantly lower price.
- Long battery life for media consumption.
- Access to Amazon’s vast content library.
- Lower performance compared to the iPad.
- Fire OS is heavily customized and lacks the breadth of apps available on iPadOS.
Display Comparison
While both tablets feature 10.1-inch displays, the underlying technology and quality differ. The iPad 10.2 (2019) likely utilizes an IPS LCD panel, typical for Apple’s standard iPads, offering good color accuracy and viewing angles. The Fire HD 10 (2019) also uses an IPS LCD, but its brightness and color gamut are expected to be less vibrant. Crucially, the iPad benefits from Apple’s display calibration, resulting in more accurate colors. The Fire HD 10’s display, while functional, is geared towards cost savings, potentially impacting outdoor visibility.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in photography, but the iPad 10.2 (2019) likely has a slight advantage due to Apple’s image signal processing. Both tablets feature basic camera setups, and detailed sensor information is limited. Focusing on the core processing power, the A10 Fusion’s ISP will likely deliver slightly better image quality and faster processing times compared to the Helio P60T’s ISP. The Fire HD 10’s camera is primarily for basic video calls and quick snapshots.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The iPad 10.2 (2019) is powered by the Apple A10 Fusion, a 16nm chip with a quad-core CPU. This chip, while older, benefits from Apple’s efficient architecture and software optimization. The Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019) uses the MediaTek MT8183 Helio P60T, a 12nm octa-core processor. While the Helio P60T has more cores, the A10 Fusion’s superior single-core performance and optimized software integration give the iPad a significant edge in responsiveness and app performance. The A10 Fusion’s architecture (Hurricane and Zephyr cores) is designed for burst performance, crucial for gaming and demanding applications, something the Helio P60T may struggle with.
Battery Life
Battery life is difficult to compare without standardized testing. However, the Fire HD 10 (2019) typically boasts longer battery life due to its less demanding processor and software. The iPad 10.2 (2019), while having a respectable battery, will drain faster under heavy load due to the A10 Fusion’s higher power consumption. Charging speeds are also likely slower on the iPad, as Apple often prioritizes battery health over rapid charging on its entry-level devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple iPad 10.2 (2019) if you need a tablet that seamlessly integrates with other Apple devices, offers superior performance for demanding apps, and benefits from Apple’s long-term software support. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019) if you prioritize affordability, primarily consume media like videos and ebooks, and are comfortable within the Amazon ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the MediaTek Helio P60T in the Fire HD 10 struggle with multitasking?
Yes, the Helio P60T, while an octa-core processor, is less efficient at handling multiple demanding apps simultaneously compared to the A10 Fusion. Users may experience slowdowns when switching between apps or running resource-intensive tasks concurrently.
❓ Is the Amazon Fire HD 10 a good choice for playing graphically intensive games?
The Fire HD 10 can handle some casual games, but it will struggle with graphically demanding titles. The Helio P60T’s GPU is not as powerful as the GPU in the iPad 10.2 (2019), resulting in lower frame rates and potential lag.
❓ How does the software experience differ between iPadOS and Fire OS?
iPadOS offers a more polished and feature-rich experience with a wider selection of apps available through the App Store. Fire OS is heavily customized by Amazon and focuses on content consumption within the Amazon ecosystem. It lacks the same level of app availability and customization options as iPadOS.
❓ Can I use Google apps like Gmail and YouTube on the Amazon Fire HD 10?
Yes, you can install Google apps on the Fire HD 10, but it requires sideloading them, which is a more technical process. The experience may not be as seamless as using native apps designed for Fire OS.
