If you’re looking to get a tablet that’s cheaper than an iPad, then the first place many people looking is at either an Amazon Fire or an Android tablet. They’re two of the most popular options when considering these two, but out of them, which provides the best option? Well, we’re going to compare the two today so you can work out which one would be better for your needs.
Of course, much of this depends on what you need from your tablet, and who it’s for. If you’re looking for something for your kids, check out this list of toddler tablets. So as long as you have that in mind, let’s take a look at some differences between the two options.
Amazon Fire vs Android Tablet
Amazon Fire
These are three different options for you to choose from if you’re going to purchase an Amazon Fire. You can either opt for the Fire 7, which is the cheaper and more basic of the two. Or, you can go for the more expensive Fire 8, which gives you a better experience overall. And if you have more cash to spend, then you can go for the Fire 10. Let’s look at the three models.
Amazon Fire 7
Whilst the Fire 7 wouldn’t be my first choice, it likely would be the choice for many people. If you want the most basic option, then a Fire 7 would be a good choice due to it’s low price. It will give you access to everything that most people will need, even if it is a smaller and cheaper option.
Pros
- The best thing about the Fire 7 is that it’s really cheap – for those people who are on a tight budget, the Fire 7 offers great affordability.
- The Fire 7 has all the same features more expensive tablets do – camera, speakers, Bluetooth and much more.
Cons
- The worst thing about the Amazon Fire 7 is that it’s performance is not on par with the more expensive models.
- Another issue with the cheaper Amazon Fire 7 is that the sound quality is pretty poor, and the machine only has 1GB of RAM, which can make it quite slow.
Amazon Fire 8
If you’re looking for a quick upgrade on the Amazon Fire 7, then the Fire 8 is not much more expensive. It has an increased 2GB of RAM instead of just 1GB, which should make it much better if you play games on your Fire or intend to. For many people, the slight increase in price might just be worth the investment.
Pros
- There are a few upgrades that the Fire 8 has over the smaller Fire 7. As well as the increased RAM, it also has a much better battery life, and well as an improved camera.
- If you’re looking for a tablet to use as an e-reader, then the Fire has an excellent screen for this.
Cons
- Even with the increased power, the Fire 8 might be laggy if you’re trying to use it for apps that need a lot of power.
- The sound quality of the Fire 8 still isn’t great, so it’s best to use headphones if you’re planning to watch Netflix or YouTube videos on your Fire.
Amazon Fire 10
For those looking for a even more from their Amazon Fire, then the 10 inch model would be a good choice. It’s an improved, larger version than the Fire 8. So if you spend a lot of time watching movies on Netflix, then it might make sense to opt for the bigger of the two.
Pros
- The main benefit of upgrading to the Amazon Fire 10 is that you get a massive, higher resolution screen to use. If you plan on watching Netflix or YouTube on your tablet, then this is a must.
- The Fire 10 comes with 32GB of storage, however you can upgrade to 64GB if needs be.
Cons
- Of course, for the price of one Fire 10 you get basically get two Fire 8’s, and even three Fire 7’s when they’re on sale! So, they are quite expensive.
- If you’re looking for a Fire that performs better than the 7 and the 8, this isn’t it! It has the same performance as the Fire 8.
Overall, there’s definitely nothing wrong with opting for an Amazon Fire for your house. However, don’t expect too much from them in terms of power and usability – they are low powered devices! This means that you might experience some lag if you’re going to be playing large programs and apps.
Android Tablets
If you want to use your tablet intensively throughout the day, then it makes sense for you to opt for an Android tablet. However, you can still purchase Android tablets that are as powerful as the Amazon Fire, so you need to make sure you’re looking for the right thing.
What you want to consider when you’re looking for a more powerful Android tablet is that it has at least 4GB of RAM. The RAM on your tablet is essentially it’s ability to play apps and programs at the same time – which is something needed in a tablet. You will have the ability to play larger programs with a higher RAM Android tablet.
A Good Android tablet – Samsung Galaxy Tab
If you want something more powerful than an Amazon Fire, then I’d advise for you to look at something from the Samsung Galaxy series. They’re typically much better than Amazon Fire’s, but not quite as expensive as an iPad. So, they provide great value for money.
The only thing I will say about Android tablets is that typically, they will be more expensive if you want more power. You can find cheap Android tablets too, but they’re very similar to the Fire series. So if you want something a little better, you’re going to have to pay a bit more.
Conclusion
Though both of these provide good choices of tablets, they both essentially have different selling points. The Fire is perfect for those after something cheap and cheerful. But if you plan on spending a lot of time on your tablet, then an Android would probably serve you better.
