The tablet market offers a wide range of options, but finding the right balance between price and performance can be challenging. We pit the Honor Pad X8 Pro, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 685, against the Amazon Fire Max 11, utilizing a Mediatek MT8188J, to determine which tablet offers the best overall experience for everyday tasks and entertainment.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and a more versatile Android experience, the Honor Pad X8 Pro emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 685 chipset provides a noticeable advantage in multitasking and app responsiveness, while the Fire Max 11 focuses on content consumption within the Amazon ecosystem.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | - |
| 4G bands | N/A | - |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, July 05 | 2023, May 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, July 05 | Available. Released 2023, May 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 267.3 x 167.4 x 6.9 mm (10.52 x 6.59 x 0.27 in) | 259.1 x 163.7 x 7.5 mm (10.20 x 6.44 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 495 g (1.09 lb) | 490 g (1.08 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~203 ppi density) | 2000 x 1200 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~212 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.5 inches, 376.4 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 344.4 cm2 (~81.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT8188J |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13, MagicOS 7.1 | Android 11, Fire OS 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (6 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | Unspecified | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic accessory connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity (accessories only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 7250 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Purple, Mint | Gray |
| Models | - | KFSNWI |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 270 EUR |
Honor Pad X8 Pro
- More powerful Snapdragon 685 chipset for smoother performance.
- 6nm process offers better power efficiency and thermal management.
- Access to the full Google Play Store ecosystem.
- Battery capacity and charging speed are unknown.
- Display specifications are not available for detailed analysis.
Amazon Fire Max 11
- Tight integration with Amazon services (Prime Video, Kindle).
- Alexa voice assistant support.
- Potentially lower price point.
- Mediatek MT8188J chipset offers lower overall performance.
- Slower 15W charging.
- Limited to the Amazon Appstore.
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Fire Max 11's focus on media consumption, it likely prioritizes screen size and color accuracy. The Honor Pad X8 Pro, positioned as a general-purpose tablet, may offer a more balanced approach. The absence of refresh rate data suggests both likely operate at standard 60Hz, impacting smoothness during scrolling and video playback. Bezels are a key differentiator, and visual inspection of both devices would be needed to determine which offers a more immersive experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are absent for both devices, making a direct comparison impossible. However, tablets in this price range typically prioritize front-facing cameras for video calls over high-end rear cameras. It's reasonable to assume both tablets feature basic camera setups suitable for casual photography and video conferencing. Without sensor size or aperture information, it's difficult to assess image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Pad X8 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 (6nm) utilizes a mix of Cortex-A73 and A53 cores, peaking at 2.8GHz. This architecture, built on a more efficient 6nm process, generally translates to better sustained performance and thermal management compared to the Amazon Fire Max 11’s Mediatek MT8188J. The Fire Max 11 employs a Cortex-A78 (2.2GHz) and A55 core configuration. While the A78 offers higher single-core performance, the Snapdragon 685’s octa-core setup and 6nm fabrication provide a broader performance advantage in multi-threaded tasks and gaming. The Snapdragon's Adreno GPU will also outperform the Mediatek's integrated GPU, offering a smoother gaming experience.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for the Honor Pad X8 Pro, but the Amazon Fire Max 11 features 15W wired charging. The Snapdragon 685’s 6nm efficiency should contribute to better battery life on the Honor Pad X8 Pro, even with a potentially similar battery capacity. The Fire Max 11’s 15W charging is relatively slow compared to modern fast-charging standards, meaning a longer time to reach a full charge. Users prioritizing quick top-ups may find the Fire Max 11’s charging speed limiting.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Pad X8 Pro if you need a tablet capable of handling demanding apps, multitasking efficiently, and offering a broader Android experience with access to the Google Play Store. Buy the Amazon Fire Max 11 if you primarily consume Amazon content (Prime Video, Kindle books), value tight integration with Alexa, and prioritize affordability over raw processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Mediatek MT8188J in the Fire Max 11 struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Mediatek MT8188J is a mid-range chipset and will likely struggle to deliver a smooth experience in graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact, even at lower settings. The Honor Pad X8 Pro’s Snapdragon 685 and Adreno GPU offer a significant advantage in gaming performance.
❓ Can I easily install apps like Netflix and YouTube on the Amazon Fire Max 11?
While the Fire Max 11 supports the Amazon Appstore, Netflix and YouTube are available. However, you may need to sideload these apps, which requires some technical knowledge and isn't officially supported by Amazon. The Honor Pad X8 Pro, with access to the Google Play Store, allows for seamless installation of all compatible apps.
❓ How does the 6nm process of the Snapdragon 685 impact real-world usage on the Honor Pad X8 Pro?
The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 685 translates to improved power efficiency and reduced heat generation. This means the Honor Pad X8 Pro is likely to offer longer battery life and experience less performance throttling during extended use, such as gaming or video editing, compared to the Fire Max 11.
