The tablet market offers a wide spectrum of choices, from premium experiences to budget-friendly options. This comparison pits Apple’s consistently popular iPad 10.2 (2020) against Amazon’s Fire HD 8 Plus (2020), two devices targeting different segments. While the iPad aims for a balance of performance and versatility, the Fire HD 8 Plus prioritizes affordability and media consumption, adding wireless charging as a unique feature.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Apple iPad 10.2 (2020) is the superior choice. Its A12 Bionic chip delivers significantly faster performance, ensuring a smoother experience for demanding tasks and future-proofing. While the Fire HD 8 Plus offers wireless charging and a lower price, its Mediatek MT8168 chipset struggles to keep pace.
| 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 - A2428 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / 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, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - A2429 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 15 | 2020, March 13. Released 2020, June 03 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, September 18 | 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) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | No |
| Weight | 490 g (Wi-Fi) / 495 g (LTE) (1.08 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 | Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.5 GHz Vortex + 4x1.6 GHz Tempest) | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Apple A12 Bionic (7 nm) | Mediatek MT8168 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Mali-G52 MC1 |
| OS | iPadOS 14, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| 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 |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer | Accelerometer |
| | - | Alexa natural language commands
Text-to-Speech English-language content reader |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless |
| Talk time | - | Up to 12 h |
| Type | Li-Ion 8827 mAh (32.4 Wh) | - |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver, Gold, Space Gray | White, Black, Twilight Blue, Plum |
| Models | A2428, A2429, A2270, A2430, iPad11,6, iPad11,7 | - |
| Price | About 370 EUR | About 100 EUR |
Apple iPad 10.2 (2020)
- Significantly faster performance with the A12 Bionic chip.
- Superior build quality and materials.
- Access to Apple’s extensive app ecosystem.
- Higher price point.
- Lightning port instead of USB-C.
Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2020)
- Very affordable price.
- Wireless charging support.
- Amazon ecosystem integration (Kindle, Prime Video).
- Slow performance with the Mediatek MT8168.
- Limited app ecosystem compared to Apple.
Display Comparison
While both tablets feature 8-inch displays, the specifics differ significantly. The iPad 10.2 (2020) likely boasts a higher peak brightness and wider color gamut, typical of Apple’s displays, though exact nits are not provided. The Fire HD 8 Plus, while adequate for indoor viewing, will likely fall short in direct sunlight. The Fire HD 8 Plus's panel technology is not specified, but given its price point, it's unlikely to feature advanced technologies like LTPO. Bezels are likely larger on the Fire HD 8 Plus, contributing to a less immersive experience. Color accuracy is expected to be superior on the iPad.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is not a primary focus for either tablet, but the iPad 10.2 (2020) likely holds an advantage. While specific sensor details are unavailable, Apple’s image signal processing (ISP) is generally superior. The Fire HD 8 Plus’s camera specifications are not provided, but it’s reasonable to assume lower-resolution sensors and less sophisticated image processing. Both tablets are suitable for basic video calls and casual snapshots, but neither will rival dedicated cameras.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Apple A12 Bionic, built on a 7nm process, is a hexa-core powerhouse with two high-performance Vortex cores clocked at 2.5 GHz and four efficiency cores at 1.6 GHz. This architecture allows for both sustained peak performance and excellent power efficiency. In contrast, the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus utilizes the Mediatek MT8168, a quad-core Cortex-A53 processor fabricated on a less efficient 12nm process. The MT8168’s 2.0 GHz clock speed is lower, and the Cortex-A53 architecture is significantly less capable than Apple’s custom cores. This translates to slower app loading times, less responsive multitasking, and struggles with graphically intensive games on the Fire HD 8 Plus. The iPad’s likely use of faster LPDDR4X RAM further enhances its performance advantage.
Battery Life
Battery life is difficult to compare without standardized testing. The iPad 10.2 (2020)’s A12 Bionic chip, despite its power, is relatively efficient. The Fire HD 8 Plus benefits from its less demanding processor, potentially offering comparable battery life for basic tasks. However, the Fire HD 8 Plus’s inclusion of wireless charging is a significant convenience feature, allowing for cable-free top-ups. Charging speeds are not specified for either device, but the iPad likely supports faster wired charging via Lightning.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple iPad 10.2 (2020) if you need a tablet capable of handling demanding apps, multitasking, and light creative work, and if you value Apple’s ecosystem and long-term software support. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2020) if you primarily consume media, read ebooks, and require a very affordable tablet with the convenience of wireless charging, understanding that performance will be limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Mediatek MT8168 in the Fire HD 8 Plus struggle with multitasking or demanding apps?
Yes, the Mediatek MT8168 is a relatively low-powered processor. Expect noticeable slowdowns when running multiple apps simultaneously or using resource-intensive applications like video editors or 3D games. It's best suited for basic tasks like web browsing, reading, and streaming video.
❓ How does the Apple ecosystem benefit iPad 10.2 (2020) users?
The Apple ecosystem provides seamless integration with other Apple devices like iPhones and Macs. Features like Handoff, AirDrop, and Universal Clipboard allow for effortless file sharing and task continuation. Additionally, the App Store offers a wider selection of high-quality apps optimized for iPadOS.
❓ Is the wireless charging on the Fire HD 8 Plus particularly fast?
No, the wireless charging on the Fire HD 8 Plus is likely to be relatively slow, using the standard Qi wireless charging protocol. It's convenient, but don't expect it to charge the tablet as quickly as a wired connection.
❓ Can the iPad 10.2 (2020) be used with a keyboard and stylus for productivity?
Yes, the iPad 10.2 (2020) supports Apple’s Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil (1st generation), transforming it into a capable productivity device for note-taking, document editing, and creative tasks. These accessories are sold separately.
