iPad Air 11 (2024) vs. Amazon Fire Max 11: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance, especially for demanding tasks like video editing or gaming, the Apple iPad Air 11 (2024) is the clear winner. However, the Amazon Fire Max 11 provides a surprisingly capable experience for basic media consumption and light productivity, making it ideal for budget-conscious consumers.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad Air 11 (2024) | Amazon Fire Max 11 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 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, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - A2903 | - |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2903, A2904 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024, May 07 | 2023, May 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, May 15 | Available. Released 2023, May 23 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.24 in) | 259.1 x 163.7 x 7.5 mm (10.20 x 6.44 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | eSIM (cellular model only) | No |
| Weight | 462 g (1.02 lb) | 490 g (1.08 lb) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | - |
| Resolution | 1640 x 2360 pixels (~264 ppi density) | 2000 x 1200 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~212 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 357.6 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 344.4 cm2 (~81.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x3.48 GHz performance cores and 4 efficiency cores) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Apple M2 | Mediatek MT8188J |
| GPU | Apple GPU (9-core graphics) | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | iPadOS 17.4, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 | Android 11, Fire OS 8 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS | 1080p |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.0, 122˚ (ultrawide) | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@25/30/60fps; gyro-EIS | 1080p |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS (cellular model only) | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic accessory connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity (accessories only) |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 45W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 7606 mAh (28.93 Wh) | Li-Ion |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Space Gray, Starlight, Purple, Blue | Gray |
| Models | A2902, A2903, A2904, iPad14,8, iPad14,9 | KFSNWI |
| Price | About 700 EUR | About 270 EUR |
Apple iPad Air 11 (2024)
- Exceptional performance with the Apple M2 chip
- Premium build quality and design
- Faster 45W charging
- Significantly higher price
- Accessories (Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard) are expensive
Amazon Fire Max 11
- Extremely affordable price
- Access to Amazon's ecosystem (Prime Video, Kindle)
- Decent for basic media consumption
- Substantially slower performance
- Lower build quality
- Slower 15W charging
Display Comparison
While both tablets feature 11-inch displays, detailed display specs are missing for the Fire Max 11. The iPad Air 11 benefits from Apple’s typically excellent color accuracy and brightness. The Fire Max 11, given Amazon’s history, likely utilizes an IPS LCD panel, whereas the iPad Air is expected to have a laminated display. The absence of LTPO technology in the Fire Max 11 suggests a fixed refresh rate, while the iPad Air may support ProMotion (adaptive refresh rate) for smoother scrolling and animations. Bezels are likely larger on the Fire Max 11 to maintain its lower price point.
Camera Comparison
Camera details for the Fire Max 11 are limited, but it's reasonable to expect a basic camera setup focused on video calls rather than photography. The iPad Air 11, while not a photography powerhouse, will likely offer a more capable camera system with better image processing. The M2’s image signal processor (ISP) contributes to improved photo and video quality. Given the price difference, the iPad Air will likely have superior low-light performance and dynamic range.
Performance
The performance gap is substantial. The Apple iPad Air 11 (2024) is powered by the Apple M2, an octa-core chip built on a cutting-edge process node, delivering significantly higher CPU and GPU performance than the Amazon Fire Max 11’s Mediatek MT8188J. The M2’s architecture – 4 performance cores at 3.48 GHz and 4 efficiency cores – allows for both sustained high performance and excellent power efficiency. The MT8188J, with its 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, is geared towards more basic tasks. The iPad Air’s LPDDR5x RAM further enhances performance, while the Fire Max 11 likely uses slower LPDDR4X. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a far superior gaming experience on the iPad Air.
Battery Life
Battery capacity figures are unavailable for both devices. However, the charging speeds reveal a key difference. The iPad Air 11 supports 45W wired charging, enabling faster replenishment of its battery. The Fire Max 11’s 15W charging is considerably slower. While the Fire Max 11 might have a slightly larger battery, the iPad Air’s more efficient M2 chip and faster charging could result in comparable or even better real-world battery life, especially during demanding tasks. The M2’s efficiency cores contribute to longer battery life during less intensive use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple iPad Air 11 (2024) if you require a powerful tablet for professional workflows, creative tasks, or demanding mobile gaming. Its M2 chip and robust ecosystem offer a premium experience. Buy the Amazon Fire Max 11 if you primarily need a tablet for reading, streaming video, and basic web browsing, and value affordability above all else. It's a solid choice for families or casual users.