iPad 10.2 (2019) vs Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020): A Deep Dive into Tablet Performance and Value
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and a smoother overall experience, the Apple iPad 10.2 (2019) is the clear winner. Its A10 Fusion chip provides significantly more processing power. However, the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020) offers compelling value for those on a tight budget primarily seeking a device for basic tasks like reading, streaming, and light browsing.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad 10.2 (2019) | Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 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 | - |
| 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 | 2020, March 13. Released 2020, June 03 |
| 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) | 202 x 137 x 9.7 mm (7.95 x 5.39 x 0.38 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | No |
| Weight | 483 g (Wi-Fi) / 493 g (LTE) (1.06 lb) | 355 g (12.52 oz) |
| Stylus support (1st gen only) | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | - |
| Resolution | 1620 x 2160 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~264 ppi density) | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.2 inches, 324.6 cm2 (~74.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~67.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.34 GHz (2x Hurricane + 2x Zephyr) | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Apple A10 Fusion (16 nm) | Mediatek MT8168 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR Series7XT Plus (six-core graphics) | Mali-G52 MC1 |
| 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 | - |
| - | eMMC 5.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard), 1.12µm, AF | 2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps, HDR | Yes |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 1.2 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard) | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | Yes |
| 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 | 5.0, 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 |
| 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 |
| - | Alexa natural language commands Text-to-Speech English-language content reader | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 400 h (2G) / Up to 150 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 10 h (multimedia) | Up to 12 h |
| Type | Li-Po 8827 mAh, non-removable (32.9 Wh) | - |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Silver, Gold, Space Gray | White, Black, Twilight Blue, Plum |
| Models | A2197, A2200, A2198, iPad7,11, iPad7,12 | KFONWI |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 80 EUR |
Apple iPad 10.2 (2019)
- Significantly faster processor (A10 Fusion)
- Superior build quality and materials
- Longer software support and updates
- Higher price point
- Accessories (Apple Pencil, keyboard) sold separately and add to the cost
Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020)
- Extremely affordable price
- Amazon ecosystem integration (Kindle, Prime Video)
- Lightweight and portable
- Slower processor (MT8168)
- Limited app availability (Amazon Appstore)
- Lower build quality
Display Comparison
While both tablets feature 8-inch displays, the specifics differ significantly. The iPad 10.2 (2019) likely boasts a higher peak brightness and wider color gamut, typical of Apple's displays, though exact nits aren't provided. The Fire HD 8 (2020) utilizes a standard IPS panel. Bezels are likely larger on the Fire HD 8, reflecting its lower price point. Color accuracy is expected to be superior on the iPad, making it better suited for photo and video editing, even at a basic level.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is not a strong suit for either device, but the iPad likely holds an edge. While both likely feature basic camera setups, Apple typically employs better image signal processing. The Fire HD 8’s camera is primarily for basic video calls and quick snapshots. The iPad’s camera, while still not flagship-level, will likely produce more detailed and accurate images, especially in good lighting conditions. We can assume both devices will struggle in low-light scenarios.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. Apple’s A10 Fusion (16nm) is a four-core processor with a heterogeneous architecture – two high-performance 'Hurricane' cores and two efficiency cores. This contrasts with the Amazon Fire HD 8’s MediaTek MT8168 (12nm) which utilizes four Cortex-A53 cores. The A10 Fusion’s architecture and 16nm process, while older, deliver substantially higher single-core and multi-core performance. The MT8168’s 12nm process is more efficient, but the A53 cores are less powerful individually. This translates to smoother app launches, faster multitasking, and better gaming performance on the iPad. The iPad’s likely faster RAM (though not specified) further contributes to this advantage.
Battery Life
Battery life is difficult to assess without specific testing data. The Fire HD 8’s MT8168, built on a 12nm process, is inherently more power-efficient than the A10 Fusion’s 16nm process. However, the iPad’s optimized software and potentially larger battery capacity (not specified) could offset this. Real-world usage will depend heavily on screen brightness, app usage, and network connectivity. Charging speeds are also unknown, but Apple typically offers faster charging solutions than Amazon at this price point.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple iPad 10.2 (2019) if you need a tablet capable of handling demanding apps, multitasking, and offering a longer software support lifespan. It’s ideal for students, creative professionals on the go, and anyone who values a responsive user interface. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020) if you prioritize affordability and primarily intend to use the tablet for media consumption, reading ebooks, and basic web browsing. It’s a great choice for families or as a dedicated entertainment device.