If you are here to settle the “Fire tablet vs iPad” debate, then we have you covered right here. 

Now, the Amazon Fire tablet range is more geared towards portable entertainment and streaming. Meanwhile, iPads tend to be more versatile, and some powerful variants can be used for professional projects and productivity, too. The “right” one for you will depend on how you’re planning to use the tablet and how much you’re willing to spend. 

With that being said, we have created an elaborate guide explaining the differences between Amazon Fire tablets and Apple iPads – so you can pick the one that suits your needs the best.

Amazon Fire tablet vs iPad: What’s the difference?

As mentioned earlier, the Fire tablets are versatile, but they are more focused on entertainment and media consumption. Meanwhile, iPads are a bit more versatile, and some of them pack in enough power for professionals. To elaborate on this a little, we have laid down the comparison between the two lineups based on performance, design, display, and other specs. 

List of Amazon Fire tablets available on Amazon

Below, we have listed some of the Amazon Fire tablets available on Amazon to give you an idea. 

List of Apple iPads available on Amazon

Below, we have listed some Apple iPads available on Amazon to give you an idea. 

Amazon Fire tablet vs Apple iPad – Performance and software

To start with, the Amazon Fire tablets run on the Fire OS, which is based on Android. This means users get the same seamless experience as Android, along with Fire’s easy-to-use interface. People get access to the Amazon app store from where they can download apps, which, of course, includes Amazon apps as well as other popular apps like Netflix and Spotify. 

As far as performance goes, most Fire tablets feature mobile processors, like the 2023 Amazon Fire 10 tablet has an octa-core processor with 2.0 GHz speed, which is good for browsing, streaming, and not-so-demanding tasks. 

On the other hand, iPads run on the iPadOS, which is Apple’s system for tablets. It resembles iOS a lot, and it is quite user-friendly. Users get access to Apple’s App Store, which has several useful and popular apps like Netflix, Prime Video, and more. Plus, the highlight here is that you get access to Apple’s exclusive apps like Procreate, Apple TV, and more. 

As for performance, iPads usually come equipped with mobile processors like A15 Bionic chips or laptop-level chips like M1 or M2. As you can guess, the iPads with M1 and M2 chips can double up as laptops with the Magic keyboard and mouse, which is why it’s one of the best business tablets.

As you can see, the performance of the two tablets is quite different. Amazon Fire tablets are more inclined towards entertainment, such as watching Netflix. However, Apple tablets are more suitable for productivity. 

Amazon Fire tablet vs Apple iPad – Design

Amazon Fire tablets usually come with a plastic body, which absorbs shocks and lends them some durability. However, as these are budget tablets, appearance is less important than the utility. Most Fire tablets have a slim profile and are somewhat lightweight – so you can choose to hold them in your hands or place them on a surface. For example, the Amazon Fire 10 tablet weighs about 430 grams, which should be portable for most people. 

Meanwhile, Apple iPads come encased in an aluminum body, which appears premium. Most iPads have a slim profile and are really sleek. Plus, they are lightweight, which should make them portable. For example, the iPad Pro (6th gen) weighs only 682 grams, which, considering that it has a 12.9-inch display, is quite lightweight. 

Amazon Fire tablet vs Apple iPad – Display

Most Amazon Fire tablets have an LCD display with HD or FHD resolution, which should deliver vibrant colors and good quality visuals. For example, if you look at the Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet, it has an 11-inch display with 2000 x 1200 resolution, so you can expect good-quality visuals. 

Meanwhile, Apple iPads sport the Liquid Retina display, which has high color accuracy and high resolution. People often use iPads for illustrations, productivity, reading, and media consumption in general – in fact, it is one of the best tablets for photo editing. Usually, iPad displays have high peak brightness, which makes them suitable for use in well-lit environments. For example, the iPad Pro (6th gen) comes with a 12.9-inch display with 2732 x 2048 resolution and peak brightness of 1,600 nits. 

Amazon Fire tablet vs Apple iPad – Camera setup

Now, tablets usually have cameras for convenience, so you shouldn’t really expect these devices to take pro-level photos. The Amazon Fire tablets usually have a front and rear camera, which you can use to take photos or for video calls. For instance, the 2023 Fire tablet comes with a 5MP rear and a 5MP front camera, which should be good enough for video calls. 

Similarly, iPads, too, have front and rear cameras, which come in handy for video conferencing and taking photos. Especially if you are a professional creator, you might have to use this camera quite often for reference pictures. For instance, the iPad Pro comes with a 12MP Ultra Wide front camera for good-quality video calls. On the back, 12MP Wide and 10MP Ultra Wide back cameras, which should help you snap some high resolution photos. 

Amazon Fire tablet vs Apple iPad – Battery life

Amazon Fire tablets offer a battery life between 8 and 12 hours, which is more or less on par with some of the best Android tablets. For instance, the 2023 Fire tablet 10 offers a battery life of up to 13 hours, which is sufficient for long-distance journeys. 

Apple’s iPads are known for their superior battery life, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that some iPad batteries can last up to 20 hours. Depending on your usage, an iPad should last you all day on a single charge. 

Amazon Fire tablet vs Apple iPad – Price

Now, clearly, Amazon Fire tablets are some of the best and most affordable entertainment tablets out there. Much like some of the best budget tablets, these devices tend to strike a balance between features and price. To give you an idea, the 2023 Fire tablet 10 without lock-screen ads and 64GB storage costs $194.99. Meanwhile, the Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet with 128GB storage and ad removal comes at the price of $279.99.

Apple iPads are premium, and buying them is a serious investment. To give you context, the iPad Pro (6th gen) with the M2 chip comes with a price tag of $2,217.44 if you get the maxed-out 2TB version. There are some budget options available, like the iPad Air (5th gen), which costs $899, or the iPad Mini 6, which you can get for $783.00.

Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th Generation) M2 Chip

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Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet (2023) (Without Lockscreen Ads)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use Apple apps on Fire tablet?

No, you cannot use Apple apps on your Fire tablets. Apps like Procreate, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, LiDAR, etc. are all made exclusively for Apple products like Mac, iPad, iPhone, and others – so they can only be accessed through an Apple device.

Conclusion

If you have an Apple ecosystem (that is, iPhones and MacBooks), then it might make sense to invest in an iPad. Plus, if you’re a creator, then Apple offers power iPad models with M1 and M2 chips, which can act as a substitute for your computer. However, this investment is worth it if you want a tablet with productivity apps, along with some entertainment. 

On the other hand, if you are just looking for a tablet for streaming shows or keeping kids entertained on long journeys, then the Amazon Fire tablet might be a suitable option. These budget tablets come packed with all the necessary tools and apps for entertainment and offer decent performance.