iPad Air 13 (2024) vs. Amazon Fire Max 11: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance, responsiveness, and a polished ecosystem, the Apple iPad Air 13 (2024) is the clear winner. Its M2 chip delivers a substantially faster experience. However, the Amazon Fire Max 11 provides a compelling value proposition for casual users focused on media consumption and basic tasks.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad Air 13 (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 - A2899 | - |
| 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 - A2899, A2900 | - |
| 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 | 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.1 mm (11.05 x 8.46 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 | 617 g (Wi-Fi) / 618 g (5G) (1.36 lb) | 490 g (1.08 lb) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | - |
| Resolution | 2048 x 2732 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~264 ppi density) | 2000 x 1200 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~212 ppi density) |
| Size | 13.0 inches, 519.3 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 344.4 cm2 (~81.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 600 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x3.46 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 17.5.1, 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 (5G 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 9705 mAh (36.59 Wh) | Li-Ion |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Space Gray, Starlight, Purple, Blue | Gray |
| Models | A2898, A2899, A2900, iPad14,10, iPad14,11 | KFSNWI |
| Price | About 950 EUR | About 270 EUR |
Apple iPad Air 13 (2024)
- Significantly faster performance with the Apple M2 chip
- Superior build quality and materials
- Access to Apple’s robust ecosystem and software support
- Higher price point
- Accessories (Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard) are sold separately and add to the cost
Amazon Fire Max 11
- Extremely affordable price
- Amazon ecosystem integration (Kindle, Prime Video)
- Decent for basic media consumption and web browsing
- Limited performance for demanding tasks
- Slower charging speed
- Potentially limited software updates and support
Display Comparison
While specific display specs for the Fire Max 11 (resolution, brightness) are not provided, its positioning suggests a standard LCD panel. The iPad Air 13 (2024) is expected to feature a laminated display, offering improved viewing angles and reduced reflections. The M2 chip’s image signal processor will likely contribute to more accurate color reproduction on the iPad Air. The Fire Max 11’s display is likely optimized for cost, while the iPad Air prioritizes visual fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Given the Fire Max 11’s budget focus, its camera system is likely basic. The iPad Air 13 (2024) is expected to have a more capable camera system, leveraging the M2’s image signal processor for improved image quality. Without specific camera specs for the Fire Max 11, it’s safe to assume the iPad Air will offer superior photo and video capabilities, particularly in low-light conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. Apple’s M2, an octa-core processor with 4 performance cores clocked at 3.46 GHz, represents a significant leap in performance compared to the Amazon Fire Max 11’s MediaTek MT8188J. The MT8188J, with its 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, is designed for efficiency and affordability, not raw power. The M2’s architecture, built on a more advanced process node (likely 4nm vs. the MT8188J’s likely 6nm or larger), translates to superior performance per watt and reduced thermal throttling. This means the iPad Air will handle demanding applications and multitasking with ease, while the Fire Max 11 may struggle with resource-intensive tasks.
Battery Life
The Amazon Fire Max 11’s 15W wired charging is considerably slower than the iPad Air 13 (2024)’s 45W wired charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the faster charging of the iPad Air allows for quicker top-ups, minimizing downtime. The M2 chip’s efficiency also contributes to potentially longer battery life during typical usage, despite potentially having a similar or smaller battery capacity than the Fire Max 11.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple iPad Air 13 (2024) if you need a powerful tablet for demanding tasks like video editing, graphic design, or gaming, and if you value Apple’s ecosystem and long-term software support. Buy the Amazon Fire Max 11 if you prioritize affordability, primarily consume media, and need a tablet for light tasks like web browsing and reading, and are comfortable within Amazon’s ecosystem.