The tablet market caters to vastly different needs. Apple’s iPad Pro 12.9 (2020) represents a premium, professional-grade experience, while Amazon’s Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) aims for affordability and accessibility. This comparison dissects these two devices, revealing where each excels and who will benefit most from their distinct approaches.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance, display quality, and a robust ecosystem, the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2020) is the clear winner. However, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) provides excellent value for casual users focused on media consumption and basic tasks, especially given its lower price point.
| 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, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | - |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 18 | 2021, April 27. Released 2021, May 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, March 19 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 280.6 x 214.9 x 5.9 mm (11.05 x 8.46 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 | 641 g (Wi-Fi), 643 g (LTE) (1.41 lb) | 468 g (1.03 lb) |
| | Stylus support (Bluetooth integration; magnetic) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | Aluminosilicate glass |
| Resolution | 2048 x 2732 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~265 ppi density) | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.9 inches, 515.3 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 600 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.5 GHz Vortex + 4x1.6 GHz Tempest) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Apple A12Z Bionic | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (8-core graphics) | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | iPadOS 13.4, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 1TB 6GB 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, 11mm (ultrawide)
TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) | - |
| Features | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR | - |
| Single | - | 5 MP |
| Video | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Face detection, HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 7 MP, f/2.2 | 2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 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 3.1, 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, proximity, barometer | Accelerometer |
| | - | Text-to-Speech English-language content reader |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 9720 mAh (36.71 Wh) | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver, Space Gray | Slate |
| Models | A2069, A2232, A2233, A2229, iPad8,11, iPad8,12 | T76N2P |
| Price | About 1000 EUR | About 150 EUR |
Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2020)
- Exceptional performance with the A12Z Bionic chip
- Superior display quality with high brightness and contrast
- Access to a vast ecosystem of apps and accessories
- Significantly higher price point
- No wireless charging
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)
- Very affordable price
- Wireless charging support
- Good for basic media consumption
- Limited performance for demanding tasks
- Lower display quality compared to the iPad Pro
Display Comparison
The iPad Pro 12.9 (2020) boasts a significantly more advanced display, achieving a measured peak brightness of 625 nits and a 1330:1 contrast ratio. This translates to vibrant colors and excellent visibility even in bright environments. The Fire HD 10 Plus, while offering a functional 1080p display, lacks these specifications, resulting in a less immersive viewing experience. The iPad Pro’s display technology, though not specified in the provided data, is known for its color accuracy and ProMotion technology (not mentioned but a key feature), offering a smoother scrolling experience. The Fire HD 10 Plus doesn’t compete in this area, focusing on affordability over visual fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Given the context data, a detailed camera comparison is limited. Both tablets are unlikely to be chosen primarily for their camera capabilities. The iPad Pro, historically, features superior camera systems, but specific details aren’t provided. The Fire HD 10 Plus’s camera specifications are not available, and it’s reasonable to assume it prioritizes affordability over image quality. The absence of details suggests neither device is a strong contender in the photography space.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The iPad Pro’s Apple A12Z Bionic, with its octa-core configuration (4x2.5 GHz Vortex + 4x1.6 GHz Tempest), is in a different league than the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus’s MediaTek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm). The A12Z Bionic’s architecture, built on a more advanced process node (though not specified here, it's 7nm), delivers substantially higher processing and graphics performance. This means faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and the ability to handle demanding applications without lag. The Helio P60T, while an octa-core processor (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53), is designed for efficiency and basic tasks, not intensive workloads. The iPad Pro benefits from faster RAM (likely LPDDR4X, though not specified) contributing to overall system responsiveness.
Battery Life
Battery life is difficult to assess without specific mAh ratings or usage tests. However, the Fire HD 10 Plus includes wireless charging, a convenience feature absent on the iPad Pro. This allows for easier topping up without needing a cable. The iPad Pro, with its more powerful processor, likely consumes more power during intensive tasks, potentially leading to shorter battery life under heavy load. The efficiency of the A12Z Bionic may mitigate this, but the Fire HD 10 Plus’s less demanding chipset will generally result in longer battery life during typical usage scenarios.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2020) if you require a powerful tablet for demanding tasks like video editing, graphic design, or professional workflows, and if you value a superior display and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) if you primarily need a tablet for reading, streaming video, browsing the web, and light gaming, and if budget is a primary concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the MediaTek Helio P60T in the Fire HD 10 Plus sufficient for playing modern mobile games?
The Helio P60T can handle some mobile games, but it will struggle with graphically demanding titles at higher settings. Expect lower frame rates and potentially reduced visual fidelity compared to devices with more powerful chipsets like the A12Z Bionic in the iPad Pro.
❓ How does the A12Z Bionic chip in the iPad Pro handle multitasking compared to the Fire HD 10 Plus?
The A12Z Bionic excels at multitasking. Its powerful CPU and GPU, combined with faster RAM, allow for seamless switching between apps and running multiple applications simultaneously without significant slowdown. The Fire HD 10 Plus will likely exhibit noticeable lag when running several apps concurrently.
❓ Does the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus have access to the full Google Play Store?
No, the Fire HD 10 Plus uses Amazon's Appstore, which has a smaller selection of apps compared to the Google Play Store. While many popular apps are available, some may be missing or require sideloading.
❓ What kind of storage options are available on each device, and is expandable storage supported?
Storage options aren't specified in the provided data. However, Amazon Fire tablets typically offer microSD card support for expandable storage, while iPad Pro models do not offer expandable storage. Users must choose their desired storage capacity at the time of purchase.
