Amazon Fire or Apple iPad? Don't compare specs, compare platforms
Every time a new tablet model is released, many users start looking for side-by-side charts that would help them compare full tech specs.
It’s the wrong attitude. Comparing tech specifications should be the last step of the decision process. The first thing you should do is find out which tablet (and – what’s most important – its ecosystem) suits your needs more.
When the new Amazon Fire HD 8, 10th-generation, model was announced, I wrote a post for Ebook Friendly, where I try to convince readers that starting iPad vs. Fire comparison from tech specs does not make too much sense.
Before getting to tech specs, you should ask yourself a question: which kind of tablet do I need? And, in most cases, this question ends in asking: what platform do I want to use?
In other words, a decision between iPad and Fire is a decision between Apple and Amazon. What has to be compared is not specs of particular models but features and conditions of platforms they are connected to.
Below, you will find a comparison of Apple and Amazon ecosystems that come with related tablets. Once you decide that it’s Amazon that you want to stick to, a more natural choice is to go for the Fire tablet. If you are ready to switch from your current digital content provider to Apple, you should invest in the iPad.
Amazon Fire vs. Apple iPad – general features
| Feature | Fire tablets | iPad tablets |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | FireOS | iPadOS |
| Connected platform | Amazon | Apple |
| microSD slot | Yes, up to 1 TB |
No |
| Preferred mode | Horizontal | Portrait |
| Blue light filter | Yes | Yes |
| File manager | Yes | Yes |
| Cellular variants | No | Yes |
| Alexa | Yes, integrated |
Yes, via Alexa app |
| Alexa hands-free | Yes | No |
| Siri | No | Yes, integrated |
| Kindle books | Yes, integrated |
Yes, via Kindle app |
| Other ebook stores | No | Yes, via apps: Nook, Kobo, Google, Apple, more |
| Kindle Unlimited | Yes, integrated |
Yes, via Kindle app |
| Amazon Prime | Yes, integrated |
Yes, via Kindle and Prime Video apps |
| Google services | Limited, via browser or web-based apps |
Full, via Google apps |
| Video providers | Yes, Prime Video, Netflix, HBO Go, Hulu, Netflix, more |
Yes, Prime Video, Netflix, HBO Go, Hulu, Netflix, more |
| Price range | $50-300 | $300 & more |
• • •
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