The budget tablet market is heating up, with the Xiaomi Poco Pad M1 and Amazon Fire Max 11 vying for dominance. While both aim to deliver an affordable tablet experience, they take drastically different approaches to hardware and software. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which tablet offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco Pad M1 emerges as the superior choice. Its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset, coupled with faster 33W charging, provides a smoother and more versatile experience than the Fire Max 11’s Mediatek MT8188J. While the Fire Max 11 benefits from Amazon’s ecosystem, the Poco Pad M1’s raw performance advantage is hard to ignore.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | - |
| EDGE | N/A | No |
| GPRS | N/A | No |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, November 26 | 2023, May 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, November 26 | Available. Released 2023, May 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 279.8 x 181.7 x 7.5 mm (11.02 x 7.15 x 0.30 in) | 259.1 x 163.7 x 7.5 mm (10.20 x 6.44 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 610 g (1.34 lb) | 490 g (1.08 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~249 ppi density) | 2000 x 1200 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~212 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.1 inches, 424.5 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 344.4 cm2 (~81.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, 600 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.7 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A520) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7635-AC Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 (4 nm) | Mediatek MT8188J |
| GPU | Adreno 810 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 15, HyperOS 2 | Android 11, Fire OS 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic accessory connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity (accessories only), compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity (accessories only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC3+
27W reverse wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 12000 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue | Gray |
| Models | 2509ARPBDG | KFSNWI |
| Price | - | About 270 EUR |
Xiaomi Poco Pad M1
- Significantly faster processor for smoother performance
- Faster 33W charging with modern standards (PD3.0, QC3+)
- More versatile Android operating system
- Display specifications are unknown, potentially average quality
- Camera quality likely modest
Amazon Fire Max 11
- Tight integration with Amazon ecosystem
- Simplified user interface, ideal for casual users
- Potential for Amazon Kids+ compatibility
- Slower Mediatek MT8188J processor
- Slow 15W charging
- Limited app availability outside of Amazon Appstore
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a flagship-level display. However, the specifics are missing for both, so we must infer. Given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The key differentiator will be resolution and brightness. The Poco Pad M1, being newer, *may* benefit from slightly improved color accuracy. The Fire Max 11’s display is known to be adequate for media consumption, but likely lacks the vibrancy of panels found in higher-end tablets. Bezels are expected to be relatively substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is unlikely to be a primary concern for buyers in this segment. Both tablets likely feature modest camera setups. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive comparison. However, the Poco Pad M1’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Snapdragon chipset *could* result in slightly better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. Expect both tablets to deliver acceptable results for casual snapshots, but not much more.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant difference. The Poco Pad M1’s Qualcomm SM7635-AC Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 (4nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Fire Max 11’s Mediatek MT8188J. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 features a more modern CPU architecture – a mix of Cortex-A720 cores – compared to the Fire Max 11’s Cortex-A78 and A55 configuration. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon also translates to better power efficiency and potentially less thermal throttling during sustained workloads. This means the Poco Pad M1 will handle demanding games and multitasking with greater ease. The Fire Max 11 will be sufficient for basic tasks like web browsing and video playback, but will struggle with more intensive applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the charging speeds reveal a key advantage for the Poco Pad M1. Its 33W wired charging (with PD3.0 and QC3+ support) is significantly faster than the Fire Max 11’s 15W charging. This means the Poco Pad M1 will spend less time plugged into the wall, offering greater convenience. While a larger battery capacity on the Fire Max 11 could offset the slower charging, the Poco Pad M1’s faster charging is a tangible benefit for users who are frequently on the go.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco Pad M1 if you prioritize performance for gaming, multitasking, or demanding applications, and value faster charging speeds. It’s ideal for users who want a more open Android experience. Buy the Amazon Fire Max 11 if you are deeply invested in the Amazon ecosystem, primarily intend to consume media (streaming video, reading), and prefer a simplified, curated tablet experience. It’s a good option for families with Amazon Kids+ subscriptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco Pad M1 handle demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 in the Poco Pad M1 is capable of running Genshin Impact, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. It won’t deliver a flagship-level gaming experience, but it’s significantly better than what the Fire Max 11 can offer.
❓ Can I easily install Google Play Store on the Amazon Fire Max 11?
Installing the Google Play Store on the Fire Max 11 is possible, but it requires a degree of technical expertise and isn't officially supported by Amazon. It involves sideloading and can be a complex process. The Poco Pad M1 comes with the Google Play Store pre-installed, offering a much simpler experience.
❓ Does the Poco Pad M1 support expandable storage?
Unfortunately, the context data does not specify whether the Poco Pad M1 supports microSD card expansion. However, given the trend in budget tablets, it's unlikely to include a microSD slot. Consider this when choosing storage capacity.
❓ Is the Amazon Fire Max 11 a good choice for reading ebooks?
Yes, the Amazon Fire Max 11 is well-suited for reading ebooks, especially if you're a Kindle Unlimited subscriber. Amazon's ecosystem is heavily focused on content consumption, and the Fire Max 11 integrates seamlessly with Kindle services.
