If you’re in the market for a new tablet, you’ve undoubtedly come across two of the many options available: the Android tablet and Fire tablet. Amazon has both Fire and Kindle tablets, both of which have different purposes and feature sets. With the Android tablet and Fire tablet looking similar and doing similar things, this guide takes a look at which is most worthy of your time and money.
FYI: are you considering an iPad instead? Compare the iPad to the iPad Air.
Android Tablets & Amazon Fire Tablets: A Side by Side Comparison
While there are numerous Android tablet manufacturers, the most popular Android tablet is the Samsung Galaxy Tab series. For the purposes of this side-by-side comparison, we’re comparing the Samsung Galaxy Tab to the Amazon Fire.
| Samsung Galaxy Tab | Amazon Fire Tablet | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android | Fire OS (version of Android) |
| Processor | Octa-core MediaTek, UniSOC, Qualcomm Snapdragon, Samsung Exynos | Quad-core, Hexa-core, and Octa-core MediaTek |
| RAM | 3-16 GB | 1-4 GB |
| Screen Sizes | A7 Lite – 8.7 inch A8 – 10.5 inch S6 Lite – 10.4 inch S7 FE – 12.4 inch S8 – 11 inch S8+ – 12.4 inch S8 Ultra – 14.6 inch S9 FE – 10.9 inch S9 FE+ – 12.4 inch S9 – 11 inch S9+ – 12.4 inch S9 Ultra – 14.6 inch | Fire 7 – 7 inch Fire 8 HD – 8 inch Fire 8 HD Plus – 8 inch Fire 10 HD – 10 inch Fire Max 11 – 11 inch |
| Weight | 0.81 – 1.16 lb | 9.9 oz to 17.28 oz. |
| Storage | 32 GB – 1 TB / Up to 1 TB addition with microSD | 16-64 GB / Up to 1 TB additional with microSD |
| Resolution | 1340 x 800 to 2960 x 1848 (varies by model) | 1024 x 600 / 1280 x 800 |
| Battery Life | 9-14 hours | 10-14 hours |
| App Store | Google Play Store Galaxy Store | Amazon App Store |
| Price | $159.99 – $1319.99 | $59.99 – $279.99 |
Please note that Fire tablets aren’t the same as Kindle devices. Kindles are mainly for reading and don’t let you do much else. Fire tablets are Amazon’s version of Android tablets. There are also many Kindle alternatives.
What Is the Difference Between the Fire Tablet and an Android Tablet?
The specs help showcase some differences, especially when you look at the pricing. However, it’s not that simple. Before picking the right tablet for you, take a look at some of the main differences and how they compare.
Operating System
One noticeable difference with an Android tablet vs. Fire tablet is the operating system. Android tablets offer a familiar environment and comparable features. While you’ll find some variations depending on the version of Android, you can easily switch between brands and not notice much difference between menus and functionality.
For instance, Samsung actually has its own version of the Android OS. The menus are slightly different but still extremely similar to Google Pixel, Lenovo, and other brands.
Amazon uses Fire OS. It’s based on Android, giving it a familiar feel. It’s also the same system Amazon uses for all of its smart home products, such as Echo devices and Fire TVs. Among Fire tablets, the operating system stays the same without the variations you’d find among Android tablets from different brands.
Since it is an Amazon creation, Amazon’s own apps are pushed heavily, and the interface looks a little different, to make it more about content consumption, such as using Prime Reading or Prime Video. Read on if you’re looking to learn more about Amazon Prime.
It’s also worth noting that Amazon has a line of Fire tablets just for kids. These come in 7-, 8-, and 10-inch screen models. They have a modified version of Fire OS to keep kids safer, including restricting certain types of websites and apps. These come in two main versions: for kids 3 to 7 and kids 6 to 12.
Applications
Android tablets use Google Play Store, the largest app store in the world, offering more than 3.5 million apps to users.
Fire tablets use the Amazon App Store. It’s similar in a lot of ways and offers many of the same apps. However, you’ll only find around half a million apps.
Since iPads and Android tablets are dominant, most developers create apps for those app stores first before developing for Amazon.
One of the biggest differences between Android tablets and Fire tablets is app availability. You’ll find a more limited selection of apps, though most major apps, such as social media and popular games, are still available.
Plus, apps aren’t updated quite as often, so you may not get an update to your favorite game until months after iOS and Android tablets are updated. For instance, at the time of writing, Google Play Store had TikTok version 31.7.4 available, while Amazon App Store’s latest version was 31.4.3.
Before you choose between Android tablets and Fire tablets, take a look at the Google Play Store and Amazon Appstore to see if your favorite apps are available and when they were last updated.
Price
A quick glance at the comparison chart may have you choosing a Fire tablet, just due to price alone. This is where Fire tablets shine. They’re cheap. However, more generic brands of Android tablets have comparable pricing, and they’re often just as good as more well-known brands. For instance, Walmart’s onn. brand currently has a 10.4 inch tablet with 64 GB of storage for just $129.
However, Fire tablets aren’t quite as powerful as higher-end Samsung, Lenovo, and Google Pixel tablets. Fire tablets are lower priced because of this. Plus, the lockscreen shows ads. You have to pay extra to remove these.
Typically, you’ll find Fire tablets for less than $150. And with sales, you could score one for as low as $30.
The cheapest Android tablets usually start at around $50 and go as high as $1,500. The highest-priced models have insanely fast processors, enough RAM to handle the latest games, and are built for productivity and entertainment. Plus, they usually have larger screens with stunning graphics and high resolutions.
Performance
Depending on your needs, performance is where you’ll see the biggest difference overall. In terms of Android tablet vs. Fire tablet, Android tablets typically perform better overall.
Naturally, this depends on the brand and specs. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy A7 Lite (the cheapest of the lineup) starts at $159.99. It features 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB of storage, and a MediaTek octa-core processor.
On the other hand, the cheapest Amazon Fire tablet is $59.99, with 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of storage, and a MediaTek quad-core processor. For $100 more, you’re getting better performance.
As another comparison, the onn. tablet with a 7 inch display, 2 GB of RAM, 32 GB of storage, and a MediaTek quad-core processor is $59. You get double the storage with similar performance for the same price as the above Fire tablet.
Think about the apps you’ll be using and how resource-hungry they are. For instance, some games and productivity apps may require more RAM or a faster processor.
Integrations
A final consideration is which services you use most: Google’s or Amazon’s. For instance, do you prefer Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa? Google Assistant is built into Android tablets, while Amazon Alexa is built into Fire tablets.
Android devices let you easily use either assistant, just by downloading the Amazon Alexa app and switching to it as your default assistant. On Fire tablets, you have to sideload the Google app, versus installing it from the Amazon App Store.
Amazon Fire Tablet vs. Android Tablets: Which Is the Right Choice?
With all of the above considerations, which tablet is really the best for your needs? Between Android tablets and Fire tablets, consider the following before buying:
Pick an Android Tablet if …
- Want access to the Google Play Store apps
- Need more onboard storage
- Want a larger variety of screen sizes and features
- Enjoy having multiple brands to choose from
- Need higher display resolutions
- Already use an Android phone
- Need better performance for gaming, video editing, and productivity
Pick an Amazon Fire Tablet if …
- Want a cheaper tablet
- Usually play simpler games, use social media, read e-books, and check email
- Enjoy only having to choose between a handful of models
- Already use other Amazon products, like Echo devices and Fire TVs
- Frequently use Amazon-branded apps anyway
- Need a tablet designed for kids
- Don’t mind lockscreen ads (or paying around $15 to $20 extra to have them removed)
The Winner Is …
Overall, Android tablets offer the most flexibility in features, apps, and use cases. However, if you want a simpler tablet just for playing a few games, reading Kindle ebooks, and browsing online, Fire tablets are cheaper and work extremely well. They’re also a great option for younger kids who don’t need higher-end features, but you can also add parental controls to an Android tablet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Google Play Store on a Fire tablet?
Yes. However, you can’t just download it like any other app. You have to go through a lengthy process that mostly turns your Fire tablet into an Android tablet. But you’ll have a good Android tablet that costs less than a standard Android tablet. Also, you can revert any changes made if you want to go back to your Fire tablet’s original settings.
If you’re a Windows 11 user, learn how to install Google Play Store on your PC.
Do Amazon's branded apps work better on Fire tablets?
No. They work the same. Amazon wants as many people as possible to use the apps, so they’re designed to provide the same experience on all tablets, including Android tablets and iPads.
Why do Fire tablets contain ads?
Amazon gives you a discount on your Fire tablet so that the retailer can show you ads. These are deals and items Amazon thinks you may be interested in. They’re annoying, sure, but they’re just on the lockscreen. Ignore them and save a little, or pay the extra and have an ad-free experience.
Image credit: Pexels
Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox
