iPad mini (2024) vs Amazon Fire Max 11: A Detailed Comparison

The tablet market offers a spectrum of choices, from premium powerhouses to budget-friendly options. We pit Apple’s latest iPad mini (2024), boasting the cutting-edge A17 Pro chip, against Amazon’s Fire Max 11, a device focused on delivering a solid experience at a significantly lower price point. This comparison dives deep into the core differences to help you determine which tablet best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing performance and longevity, the Apple iPad mini (2024) is the clear winner. Its A17 Pro chipset and 67-hour battery endurance offer a superior experience, justifying the higher price. However, the Amazon Fire Max 11 provides excellent value for casual users focused on media consumption.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPad mini (2024) Amazon Fire Max 11
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900N/A
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100-
4G bands1, 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 - A2995-
5G bands1, 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 - A2995, A2996-
EDGE-No
GPRS-No
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only-
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GNo cellular connectivity
Launch
Announced2024, October 152023, May 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, October 23Available. Released 2023, May 23
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame-
Dimensions195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm (7.69 x 5.31 x 0.25 in)259.1 x 163.7 x 7.5 mm (10.20 x 6.44 x 0.30 in)
SIMeSIM (cellular model only)No
Weight293 g (Wi-Fi) / 297 g (Wi-Fi + Cellular) (10.34 oz)490 g (1.08 lb)
Display
ProtectionScratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating, Mohs level 4-
Resolution1488 x 2266 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~327 ppi density)2000 x 1200 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~212 ppi density)
Size8.3 inches, 203.9 cm2 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio)11.0 inches, 344.4 cm2 (~81.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLiquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ)IPS LCD
Platform
CPUHexa-core (2x3.78 GHz performance cores and 4 efficiency cores)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetApple A17 Pro (3 nm)Mediatek MT8188J
GPUApple GPU (5-core graphics)Mali-G57 MC2
OSiPadOS 18, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1Android 11, Fire OS 8
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesQuad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama-
Single12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF8 MP, AF
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS1080p
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide)8 MP
Video1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS1080p
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS - cellular model onlyNo
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPortUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity (accessories only)
Battery
Charging-15W wired
TypeLi-Ion 5078 mAh (19.3 Wh)Li-Ion
Misc
ColorsSpace Gray, Blue, Purple, StarlightGray
ModelsA2993, A2995, A2996, iPad16,1, iPad16,2KFSNWI
PriceAbout 600 EURAbout 270 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery67:00h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass E-
Free fallClass D (52 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Apple iPad mini (2024)

  • Exceptional performance with the A17 Pro chip
  • Long battery life (67 hours endurance)
  • Excellent build quality and software support

  • Higher price point
  • Limited expandable storage

Amazon Fire Max 11

  • Significantly more affordable
  • Larger screen size (assumed, based on market positioning)
  • Amazon ecosystem integration

  • Inferior performance compared to the A17 Pro
  • Unknown battery life and charging speed
  • Potentially limited software updates

Display Comparison

While display specifications are missing for the Fire Max 11, the iPad mini (2024) benefits from Apple’s display expertise. We anticipate the Fire Max 11 will utilize an IPS LCD panel, whereas the iPad mini likely features a laminated display with True Tone technology. The A17 Pro’s image signal processor will also contribute to superior color accuracy and dynamic range. The absence of LTPO in the Fire Max 11 suggests a standard 60Hz refresh rate, contrasting with the potential for ProMotion (adaptive refresh rate) on the iPad mini, resulting in smoother scrolling and animations.

Camera Comparison

Camera details for the Fire Max 11 are unavailable, but given its market positioning, we expect a basic camera setup. The iPad mini (2024), while not a photography-focused device, benefits from Apple’s image processing pipeline. The A17 Pro’s ISP will enhance image quality, even with modest sensor sizes. The lack of detailed camera specs for the Fire Max 11 suggests it’s not intended for serious photography or videography.

Performance

The performance gap between these tablets is substantial. The Apple A17 Pro, built on a 3nm process, features a hexa-core CPU with two high-performance cores clocked at 3.78 GHz. This architecture is designed for sustained peak performance. In contrast, the Amazon Fire Max 11 utilizes the Mediatek MT8188J, an octa-core chip with a heterogeneous core configuration (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55). While the Mediatek chip has more cores, the A17 Pro’s superior single-core performance and architectural efficiency will translate to significantly faster app launch times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience, especially in demanding applications. The 3nm fabrication process of the A17 Pro also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended use.

Battery Life

The iPad mini (2024) boasts an impressive 67-hour battery endurance, coupled with a lifespan of 1000 charge cycles, indicating long-term reliability. The Amazon Fire Max 11 offers 15W wired charging, but its battery capacity and endurance are unknown. The A17 Pro’s power efficiency, stemming from its 3nm architecture, contributes significantly to the iPad mini’s extended battery life. While 15W charging is adequate, it’s slower than the charging speeds often found on higher-end iPads, and the Fire Max 11’s overall battery performance is likely to be lower than the iPad mini.

Buying Guide

Buy the Apple iPad mini (2024) if you need a portable powerhouse for demanding tasks like video editing, gaming, or professional creative work, and value long-term software support. Buy the Amazon Fire Max 11 if you prioritize affordability, primarily consume media (streaming, reading), and need a larger screen than a standard tablet without breaking the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Mediatek MT8188J in the Fire Max 11 struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Mediatek MT8188J is unlikely to deliver a smooth gaming experience in graphically intensive titles like Genshin Impact. The A17 Pro in the iPad mini (2024) is far better equipped to handle such games at higher settings and frame rates.
❓ How does the software support compare between the iPad mini (2024) and the Fire Max 11?
Apple provides long-term software support for its iPads, typically 5-7 years of major OS updates. Amazon’s Fire tablets generally receive fewer updates, and the duration of support is shorter. This means the iPad mini (2024) will remain secure and feature-rich for a longer period.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the Fire Max 11 slow compared to other tablets?
Yes, 15W charging is relatively slow compared to the faster charging technologies found in many modern tablets, including some iPad models. While it will charge the device overnight, it won't provide a quick top-up when you're short on time.