Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) vs Fire HD 10 (2021) vs Fire Max 11 Comparison

During Amazon’s annual hardware event, several new products were unveiled. Among them were the new Fire HD 10 tablet, as well as the Fire HD 10 Kids and Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablets. The latest Fire HD 10 tablet from Amazon is said to be an improvement over the previous version, with many impressive features. However, is it really worth the hype? In this comparison, we will be finding out the differences between the Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) vs Fire HD 10 (2021) vs Fire Max 11 tablets.

Pricing and Availability 

You can now preorder the latest Fire HD 10, and it will start shipping on October 18. The 32GB model is priced at $140, while the 64GB model’s price is not yet listed on Amazon’s website. However, it is mentioned in the description and specifications, and it may be added to the listing when the tablet officially launches. The new Fire HD 10 will be available in three colors: Black, Lilac, and Ocean.

The Fire HD 10 (2021) has been available for a few years now and can be purchased through Amazon or in retail stores. Currently, the 32GB version is on sale for $120, down from its original price of $150. However, the 64GB model is no longer available to order through Amazon, even though it was previously available in four different colors – black, denim, lavender, and olive.

The Amazon Fire Max 11 debuted back in May 2023 and it went up for sale in mid-June 2023 with prices starting from $229 for the 4GB + 64GB storage model while the 4GB+ 128GB model costs $279 for a single Gray color variant.

Design and Display

Based on the images of the new HD 10, it seems that there haven’t been any significant changes made to the overall design. Both tablets feature a 10.1-inch display, along with a front-facing camera that is positioned at the center of the top of the display when the tablet is held in landscape orientation. 

The Fire Max 11 has a slightly larger size than the Fire HD 10. However, their differences do not end there. The Fire Max 11 is made of aluminum while both the Fire HD 10 tablets are built with plastic material and come with a soft-touch finish on the back. This creates a noticeable contrast in terms of how they feel when held.

Based on the dimensions and weight listed on Amazon’s website, it appears that the overall size of the new Fire HD 10’s housing has been reduced. The 2023 model measures 246 x 164.8 x 8.6 mm, which is marginally smaller than the 2021 version which measures 247 x 166 x 9.2 mm. While the difference in size is not significant, it’s worth noting. By comparison, the Fire Max 11 measures 259 x 164 x 7.5mm, making it the largest of the three.

The 2023 HD 10 tablet weighs 433g, which is lighter than the 2021 version which weighs 465g, and the Fire Max 11 weighs 490g. Amazon has managed to make the Fire HD 10 tablet the lightest of all three, with the new variant being 30 grams lighter than the 2021 model. 

Another difference between the 2021 and 2023 Fire HD 10 tablet models – the placement of buttons on the right edge. Both models possess a 3.5mm headphone jack, a USB-C port, a power button, and volume buttons, along with a microphone. However, the 2021 model comes with two microphones, while the Fire HD 10 2023 only has one. Also, the positioning of buttons is slightly different. 

Both versions of the Fire HD 10 are identical in terms of size and resolution. They come equipped with a 10.1-inch display that offers a resolution of 1920×1200, providing a pixel density of 224 pixels per inch and a 16:9 aspect ratio. On the other hand, the Amazon Fire Max 11 boasts a larger 11-inch display with a resolution of 2,000 x 1,200 pixels and a 5:3 aspect ratio.

The displays on Amazon’s Fire HD 10 tablets and Fire Max 11 have been decent, and you cannot expect flagship level crispness on these budget tablets. 

Performance and Cameras

The new Fire HD 10 is powered by a brand new octa-core processor and 3GB of RAM. Amazon has provided specific details about the processor, which comprises 2x Arm Cortex-A76 with speeds up to 2.05 GHz and 6x Arm Cortex A55 with speeds up to 2.0 GHz. However, Amazon has not provided detailed information about the 2021 model’s processor, other than mentioning that it is an octa-core 2.0 GHz chip and 3GB of RAM. In comparison, the Fire Max 11 has a snappier 2.2GHz octa-core processor coupled with up to 4GB of RAM. Clearly, the Fire Max 11 packs more power than the HD 10 tablets. 

Nevertheless, Amazon claims that the 2023 Fire HD 10 tablet has a 25% performance boost over the previous version, but its validity cannot yet be verified as it is not yet released.

Amazon has made some significant upgrades to its new Fire HD 10. One of the most notable upgrades is the replacement of the 2MP front-facing camera used in the 2021 model with a 5MP shooter. This improvement should provide a better picture quality for video calls. Other improvements to the hardware in the 2023 model include Bluetooth 5.3, an extended battery life of 13 hours (up from 12 hours), and support for 15W charging. Both models have a microSD card support, which can expand the storage up to 1TB. 

The Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet comes with an 8MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera, both of which support 1080p video recording. The tablet has 64GB/128GB of storage capacity, which can be expanded up to 1TB through a microSD card slot.

Battery and Accessories Support

The Fire HD 10 (2023), now has a slightly longer battery life of up to 13 hours on a single charge, compared to its predecessor which had up to 12 hours of battery life. However, the actual battery life you get may vary depending on your usage of apps and features throughout the day. 

The new Fire HD 10 also comes with improved charging capabilities, allowing it to charge from 0% to 100% in under four hours with a 9W power adaptor and under three hours with a 15W adaptor. In comparison, the previous version, Fire HD 10 (2021), took about four hours to charge when used with a 9W adaptor.

The Fire Max 11 offers up to 14 hours of battery life and supports 15W charging, taking 4.2 hours for a full charge.

If you prefer taking handwritten notes or have a habit of doodling during meetings or classes, you might be interested in knowing that the Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) comes with a new benefit. Along with the Fire HD Max 11 (2023), the Fire HD 10 (2023) is currently the only Fire tablet that can be used with Amazon’s Made for Amazon Stylus Pen (sold separately). The stylus offers 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity and 45-degree tilt support, which makes it perfect for taking notes, drawing, and more.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a Fire tablet and are on a tight budget, you should consider pre-ordering the new Fire HD 10. It’s slightly faster, has a better battery life, and an upgraded front camera, all while costing $10 less than the previous model at full price. It’s worth noting that you’ll have to wait a few weeks for the tablet to ship in mid-October.

However, if you are looking for a tablet that provides superior performance compared to both Fire HD 10 tablets and can stretch your budget, then the Fire Max 11 is a much better option. It offers a more premium feel and includes more powerful features such as the latest connectivity options, a larger battery, a better display, and more.

Amazon Fire HD 10 2023

Read now: Our Amazon Fire HD 10 2023 Review

The Amazon Fire HD 10 2023 is a great bargain on Black Friday and Prime Day with a solid display, long battery life, and brand new pen support. However, it's not top class in any respect. The casing feels cheap, the performance is only adequate, and it's unfortunate that you have to install the Google Play Store yourself. Thanks to the Alexa voice assistant, it also can behave like a smart display.

Positive

• Rugged design
• Solid display
• Long battery life
• Alexa voice assistant
• New pen support

Negative

• No Google Play Store
• Speakers a bit quiet
• Performance sufficient only

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