The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020) and the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020) represent two distinct approaches to the budget tablet market. The Tab A 8.4 aims for a more general-purpose Android experience, while the Fire HD 8 prioritizes affordability and integration with Amazon’s ecosystem. This comparison dissects their core hardware and software differences to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and a versatile Android experience, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020) is the clear winner. Its Exynos 7904 chipset offers significantly more processing power than the Fire HD 8’s Mediatek MT8168, making it better suited for multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications. However, the Fire HD 8 remains a compelling option for those deeply invested in Amazon’s services.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | - |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13, 20, 66 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 25. Released 2020, March 25 | 2020, March 13. Released 2020, June 03 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 202 x 125.2 x 7.1 mm (7.95 x 4.93 x 0.28 in) | 202 x 137 x 9.7 mm (7.95 x 5.39 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | No |
| Weight | 309 g (10.90 oz) | 355 g (12.52 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.4 inches, 204.6 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~67.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Exynos 7904 (14 nm) | Mediatek MT8168 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP2 | Mali-G52 MC1 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | - | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| | ANT+ | Alexa natural language commands
Text-to-Speech English-language content reader |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wired | - |
| Talk time | - | Up to 12 h |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | - |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mocha | White, Black, Twilight Blue, Plum |
| Models | SM-T307U | KFONWI |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 80 EUR |
| SAR | 1.35 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020)
- Significantly faster processor (Exynos 7904)
- More versatile Android operating system
- Potential for better display quality
- Likely higher price point
- May have shorter battery life than Fire HD 8
Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020)
- Lower price point
- Deep integration with Amazon’s ecosystem
- Potentially longer battery life
- Slower processor (Mediatek MT8168)
- Limited app availability and customization options due to Fire OS
Display Comparison
While both tablets feature 8-inch displays, detailed display specs are unavailable. However, Samsung typically employs higher-quality panels in its A-series tablets. The Fire HD 8’s display is likely optimized for viewing angles and color saturation for media consumption. The Tab A 8.4, given Samsung’s history, may offer slightly better color accuracy and potentially higher peak brightness, though this is speculative without specific nit ratings. Bezels are likely comparable, given the price points of both devices.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both devices likely feature basic camera setups geared towards casual snapshots. Detailed sensor information is unavailable, but given the market segment, expect low-resolution sensors. The Tab A 8.4 may have a slight edge due to Samsung’s image processing algorithms, but neither tablet will rival dedicated cameras or even smartphone cameras.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020) utilizes the Exynos 7904, a 14nm octa-core processor with a heterogeneous architecture – two Cortex-A73 cores for performance and six Cortex-A53 cores for efficiency. This contrasts sharply with the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020)’s Mediatek MT8168, a 12nm quad-core Cortex-A53 processor. The Exynos 7904’s more advanced architecture and higher clock speeds (up to 1.8 GHz) translate to significantly faster processing speeds, particularly in multi-threaded tasks. The 12nm process node of the MT8168 offers some efficiency gains, but it cannot compensate for the architectural disadvantage. Users will notice a substantial difference in app loading times, multitasking smoothness, and gaming performance on the Tab A 8.4.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, the Mediatek MT8168’s lower power consumption may result in comparable or slightly better battery life on the Fire HD 8, despite potentially having a smaller battery. Both tablets rely on wired charging, and charging speeds are likely similar, prioritizing practicality over fast charging technologies.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020) if you need a tablet capable of handling a wider range of tasks, including moderate gaming, productivity apps, and a more open Android experience. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020) if you primarily intend to consume media – ebooks, videos, and music – within the Amazon ecosystem and prioritize the lowest possible price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 7904 in the Tab A 8.4 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Exynos 7904 is a relatively efficient chip, and the Tab A 8.4’s larger chassis provides some thermal headroom. While it may get warm during prolonged gaming, it’s unlikely to experience significant throttling, unlike more powerful chips in smaller form factors. However, demanding games at maximum settings will still generate heat.
❓ How restricted is the app ecosystem on the Amazon Fire HD 8 compared to the Galaxy Tab A 8.4?
The Fire HD 8 runs Fire OS, a heavily customized version of Android that lacks access to the full Google Play Store. Users primarily rely on the Amazon Appstore, which has a smaller selection of apps. Sideloading apps is possible, but requires technical knowledge and may not be seamless. The Tab A 8.4, with full access to the Google Play Store, offers a far more open and comprehensive app ecosystem.
❓ Can I use Samsung Dex with the Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020)?
No, the Exynos 7904 chipset does not support Samsung Dex. Dex functionality requires a more powerful processor and specific hardware features not present in this model. The Tab A 8.4 is intended for general tablet use, not desktop-like productivity.
