iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) vs. Amazon Fire Max 11: A Deep Dive into Tablet Performance and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For demanding creative professionals and power users, the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) is the clear winner, thanks to its unmatched M1 performance and superior display. However, the Amazon Fire Max 11 provides excellent value for families and casual users prioritizing media consumption and basic tasks, offering a functional tablet experience without the premium price tag.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) | 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, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2379, A2461, A2462 | - |
| 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 - A2379 | - |
| 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 - A2461, A2462 | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 20 | 2023, May 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 21 | Available. Released 2023, May 23 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4 mm (11.05 x 8.46 x 0.25 in) | 259.1 x 163.7 x 7.5 mm (10.20 x 6.44 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | No |
| Weight | 682 g (Wi-Fi), 685 g (5G) (1.50 lb) | 490 g (1.08 lb) |
| Stylus support (Bluetooth integration; magnetic) | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | - |
| Resolution | 2048 x 2732 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~265 ppi density) | 2000 x 1200 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~212 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.9 inches, 515.3 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 344.4 cm2 (~81.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (peak) | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x3.2 GHz & 4xX.X GHz) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Apple M1 | Mediatek MT8188J |
| GPU | Apple GPU (8-core graphics) | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | iPadOS 14.5.1, 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 16GB RAM, 2TB 16GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| 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) | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS | 1080p |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Face detection, HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, EDR | 5.3, 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, magnetic accessory connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity (accessories only) |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 10758 mAh (40.88 Wh) | Li-Ion |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Silver, Space Gray | Gray |
| Models | A2379, A2461, A2462, iPad13,8, iPad13,9, iPad13,10, iPad13,11 | KFSNWI |
| Price | About 1200 EUR | About 270 EUR |
Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021)
- Unmatched M1 performance for demanding tasks
- Stunning Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion
- Superior build quality and premium materials
- Advanced features like LiDAR and ProRes video
- Significantly higher price
- Accessories (Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard) are expensive
Amazon Fire Max 11
- Extremely affordable price
- Family-friendly features and parental controls
- Decent display for media consumption
- Amazon ecosystem integration
- Limited performance compared to the iPad Pro
- Slower charging speed
- Less premium build quality
Display Comparison
The iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) boasts a Liquid Retina XDR display with mini-LED backlighting, delivering exceptional brightness and contrast. While specific nit values aren't provided, it’s known to reach extreme peak brightness for HDR content. Crucially, it features ProMotion technology, dynamically adjusting the refresh rate up to 120Hz for incredibly smooth scrolling and responsiveness. The Fire Max 11, while offering a 2K resolution, lacks these advanced features. Its display is adequate for media consumption, but won’t match the iPad Pro’s color accuracy or fluidity. The absence of LTPO in the Fire Max 11 also means it cannot dynamically adjust refresh rates for power saving.
Camera Comparison
The iPad Pro’s camera system, while not its primary focus, is significantly more advanced. Details on sensor size and aperture are not provided, but it supports features like LiDAR for augmented reality applications and ProRes video recording. The Fire Max 11’s camera capabilities are more basic, geared towards video calls and casual snapshots. The lack of optical image stabilization (OIS) on the Fire Max 11 will result in less stable photos and videos compared to the iPad Pro. Focusing on image processing, Apple’s computational photography algorithms will deliver superior image quality in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. Apple’s M1, an octa-core processor with 4 performance cores clocked at 3.2 GHz, represents a significant leap in mobile silicon. Its unified memory architecture and optimized software integration deliver unparalleled performance in demanding applications. The Fire Max 11’s Mediatek MT8188J, with its 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, is a capable processor for everyday tasks, but it simply cannot compete with the M1’s raw power. The M1’s advantage extends to GPU performance and memory bandwidth (likely LPDDR5x on the iPad Pro vs. potentially slower LPDDR4X on the Fire Max 11), resulting in faster rendering times and smoother multitasking. Thermal management will also be superior on the iPad Pro, allowing sustained peak performance.
Battery Life
Battery life is difficult to compare without standardized testing. The iPad Pro’s larger battery capacity (specific mAh not provided) combined with the efficiency of the M1 chip should provide all-day battery life for most users. The Fire Max 11’s 15W wired charging is considerably slower than the iPad Pro’s charging capabilities (likely 20W or higher with USB-C Power Delivery). While the Fire Max 11 may offer comparable battery life for lighter workloads, the iPad Pro will maintain performance for longer periods under heavy use. The M1’s efficiency also means less heat generation, contributing to sustained battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) if you require desktop-class performance for tasks like video editing, graphic design, or 3D rendering, and if you value a premium display with ProMotion technology. Buy the Amazon Fire Max 11 if you prioritize affordability, family-friendly features like parental controls, and a device primarily for streaming video, browsing the web, and light productivity tasks.