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Tablet Comparison

Apple iPad Air vs Kindle Fire HDX 8.9" Comparison

A detailed, side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right tablet.
Apple iPad Air
Apple
Apple iPad Air
9.0 / 10
Compass Score
From 46 critic reviews
Full review →
Kindle Fire HDX 8.9"
Amazon
Kindle Fire HDX 8.9"
8.0 / 10
Compass Score
From 20 critic reviews
Full review →
Verdict

Pros & cons

iPad Air

+
Good
+ Fast performance
+ High-quality design
+ MIMO support
+ Beautiful display
+ Plenty of model options
−
Not
− Price
− Lack of Touch ID
− Mediocre camera

Kindle Fire HDX 8.9"

+
Good
+ Excellent screen quality
+ 24/7 real-time tech support
+ 8 megapixel rear-facing camera with LED flash
−
Not
− Limited apps in the Amazon app marketplace
− Does not run stock Android OS
Spec data

How they compare

iPad Air
Kindle Fire HDX 8.9"
Price (MSRP)
—
Price (MSRP)
—
OS
iOS
OS
Fire OS
Processor
Apple A7 Dual core
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 Quad 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
478g (16.9 oz)
Weight
374g (13.2 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
iPad Air
9.4" × 6.6"
Kindle Fire HDX 8.9"
6.2" × 9.1"
Thickness · to scale
iPad Air
0.3"
Kindle Fire HDX 8.9"
0.3"
Height
9.4" (239 mm)
Height
6.2" (157 mm)
Width
6.6" (168 mm)
Width
9.1" (231 mm)
Depth
0.3" (7 mm)
Depth
0.3" (8 mm)
Weight
478g (16.9 oz)
Weight
374g (13.2 oz)
Screen
9.7"
Screen
8.9"

Dimensions shown in inches (mm). Silhouettes are proportionally scaled for visual comparison.

Common questions

iPad Air vs Kindle Fire HDX 8.9": FAQ

Which is better, the iPad Air or Kindle Fire HDX 8.9"?
Based on aggregated critic reviews, the iPad Air earns a Compass Score of 9.0 compared to 8.0 for the Kindle Fire HDX 8.9". 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 →