iPad Pro 11 (2021) vs Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021): A Tale of Two Tablets
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users demanding peak performance, professional workflows, and a premium experience, the Apple iPad Pro 11 (2021) is the clear winner. However, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) provides exceptional value for casual users focused on media consumption and basic tasks, offering a functional tablet experience at a significantly lower price point.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad Pro 11 (2021) | Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) |
| 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, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2301, A2459, A2460 | - |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - A2301 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps, 5G | - |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | No cellular connectivity |
| 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2459, A2460 | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 20 | 2021, April 27. Released 2021, May 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 21 | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.23 in) | 247 x 166 x 9.2 mm (9.72 x 6.54 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | No |
| Weight | 466 g (Wi-Fi), 470 g (5G) (1.03 lb) | 468 g (1.03 lb) |
| Stylus support (Bluetooth integration; magnetic) | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | Aluminosilicate glass |
| Resolution | 1668 x 2388 pixels (~265 ppi density) | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 366.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 600 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x3.2 GHz & 4xX.X GHz) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Apple M1 | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (8-core graphics) | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | iPadOS 14.5.1, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 2TB 16GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| - | eMMC 5.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF 10 MP, f/2.4, 125˚ (ultrawide) TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) | - |
| Features | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR | - |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) | 5 MP |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS | 720p |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Face detection, HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) | 2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 720p |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, EDR | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS (Wi‑Fi + Cellular model only) | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 4 (Thunderbolt 4), DisplayPort, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, barometer | Accelerometer |
| - | Text-to-Speech English-language content reader | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 7538 mAh (28.65 Wh) | Li-Ion |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Silver, Space Gray | Slate |
| Models | A2301, A2459, A2460, iPad13,4, iPad13,5, iPad13,6, iPad13,7 | T76N2P |
| Price | About 870 EUR | About 150 EUR |
Apple iPad Pro 11 (2021)
- Exceptional performance with the Apple M1 chip
- Superior display quality with ProMotion technology
- Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem
- Significantly higher price
- No wireless charging
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)
- Extremely affordable price
- Wireless charging support
- Access to Amazon’s vast content library
- Limited performance for demanding tasks
- Lower display quality
Display Comparison
While both tablets feature 11-inch displays, the similarities end there. The iPad Pro likely utilizes a mini-LED backlit IPS LCD with ProMotion (adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz), offering superior brightness, contrast, and color accuracy compared to the Fire HD 10 Plus’s standard IPS LCD. The iPad Pro’s ProMotion technology provides a smoother scrolling experience, crucial for creative professionals. The Fire HD 10 Plus’s display, while adequate for media consumption, lacks the vibrancy and responsiveness of the iPad Pro. Bezels are also likely thinner on the iPad Pro, contributing to a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality isn’t a primary focus for either tablet, but the iPad Pro likely boasts a more capable camera system. While specific sensor details aren’t provided, Apple typically prioritizes image quality, even on its tablets. The Fire HD 10 Plus’s camera is likely geared towards basic video calls and casual snapshots. The iPad Pro’s image signal processor (ISP), integrated within the M1 chip, will deliver superior image processing, resulting in better dynamic range and detail. We can expect the iPad Pro to perform better in low-light conditions.
Performance
The performance gap is substantial. The Apple M1, built on a 5nm process, is in a different league than the Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12nm). The M1’s octa-core CPU, with its 4x3.2 GHz cores, delivers significantly faster processing speeds for demanding applications. The Helio P60T, while an octa-core processor itself, relies on older Cortex-A73 and A53 cores, resulting in slower performance. The iPad Pro’s likely LPDDR5X RAM further enhances responsiveness and multitasking capabilities. The Fire HD 10 Plus will struggle with resource-intensive tasks, while the iPad Pro handles them with ease. Thermal management will also be superior on the iPad Pro due to its more efficient chip design.
Battery Life
Battery life is difficult to predict without specific mAh ratings. However, the Mediatek Helio P60T’s 12nm process is less power-efficient than the M1’s 5nm process. The Fire HD 10 Plus does offer wireless charging, a convenience feature absent on the iPad Pro. While the iPad Pro’s optimized software and efficient chip may partially offset the process node difference, the Fire HD 10 Plus’s wireless charging capability provides a flexible charging option. Actual 0-100% charge times will depend on the wattage of the included chargers (or wireless charging pad).
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple iPad Pro 11 (2021) if you require a powerful tablet for demanding tasks like video editing, graphic design, or gaming, and if seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem is a priority. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) if you primarily intend to read ebooks, stream videos, browse the web, and need a portable device for light tasks, all while staying within a tight budget.