Tablet Comparison
Kindle Fire HDX vs Apple iPad Air 2 Comparison
A detailed, side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right tablet.
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Verdict
Pros & cons
Kindle Fire HDX
+
What's good
+
High resolution screen with 100% color accuracy
+
Excellent processing speed
+
Lightweight
−
What's not
−
Somewhat awkward button layout
−
Lack of UI customization
−
Lack of Google Play access
iPad Air 2
+
What's good
+
Reduced weight and thickness
+
Incredibly fast performance
+
Beautiful display with vibrant colors and deep blacks
−
What's not
−
Potential issues with bending
−
16GB base model not worth the price
−
No real improvement in battery life
Kindle Fire HDX
+
Good
+
High resolution screen with 100% color accuracy
+
Excellent processing speed
+
Lightweight
−
Not
−
Somewhat awkward button layout
−
Lack of UI customization
−
Lack of Google Play access
iPad Air 2
+
Good
+
Reduced weight and thickness
+
Incredibly fast performance
+
Beautiful display with vibrant colors and deep blacks
−
Not
−
Potential issues with bending
−
16GB base model not worth the price
−
No real improvement in battery life
Spec data
How they compare
Kindle Fire HDX
iPad Air 2
Price (MSRP)
—
—
OS
Fire OS
iOS
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 Quad core
Apple A8X Triple core
Camera zoom
—
—
Battery life
—
—
Wired charging
—
—
Wireless charging
—
—
Display
Color
Color
Software support
—
—
Repairability
—
—
Weight
303g (10.7 oz)
437g (15.4 oz)
Fingerprint
No
No
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger value where a clear winner exists.
Spec data
How they compare
Kindle Fire HDX
iPad Air 2
Price (MSRP)
—
Price (MSRP)
—
OS
Fire OS
OS
iOS
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 Quad core
Processor
Apple A8X Triple core
Camera zoom
—
Camera zoom
—
Battery life
—
Battery life
—
Wired charging
—
Wired charging
—
Wireless charging
—
Wireless charging
—
Display
Color
Display
Color
Software support
—
Software support
—
Repairability
—
Repairability
—
Weight
303g (10.7 oz)
Weight
437g (15.4 oz)
Fingerprint
No
Fingerprint
No
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger value where a clear winner exists.
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Physical comparison
Size & weight
Footprint · to scale
Kindle Fire HDX
5" × 7.3"
iPad Air 2
9.4" × 6.6"
Thickness · to scale
Kindle Fire HDX
0.4"
iPad Air 2
0.2"
Kindle Fire HDX
iPad Air 2
Height
5" (127 mm)
9.4" (239 mm)
Width
7.3" (185 mm)
6.6" (168 mm)
Depth
0.4" (9 mm)
0.2" (6 mm)
Weight
303g (10.7 oz)
437g (15.4 oz)
Screen
7"
9.7"
Height
5" (127 mm)
Height
9.4" (239 mm)
Width
7.3" (185 mm)
Width
6.6" (168 mm)
Depth
0.4" (9 mm)
Depth
0.2" (6 mm)
Weight
303g (10.7 oz)
Weight
437g (15.4 oz)
Screen
7"
Screen
9.7"
Dimensions shown in inches (mm). Silhouettes are proportionally scaled for visual comparison.
Common questions
Kindle Fire HDX vs iPad Air 2: FAQ
Which is better, the Kindle Fire HDX or iPad Air 2?
Based on aggregated critic reviews, the iPad Air 2 earns a Compass Score of 9.0 compared to 8.0 for the Kindle Fire HDX. That 1-point gap reflects stronger reviews across the board, though individual priorities like camera quality, battery life, or price could tip the scales the other way. Scores aggregate dozens of expert opinions, so they are a useful starting point, not the final word.
Specifications sourced from manufacturers and third-party databases. Last updated October 2026. Suggest a correction →