Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) vs Amazon Fire HD 8
Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) (#2, best premium) vs Amazon Fire HD 8 (#3, best budget): in our Portability Tablets scoring the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) totals 9.3/10 and the Amazon Fire HD 8 8.7/10. At $999 versus $100, the Amazon Fire HD 8 costs $899 less.
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Side by side
| Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) | Amazon Fire HD 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $999 | $100 |
| Display | 11.1" Ultra Retina XDR, 2420×1668, 120Hz OLED | 8" HD, 1280×800, 60Hz |
| Processor | M5 (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU) | MediaTek Helio P22 |
| RAM | 12GB | — |
| Storage | 256GB-2TB | 32GB/64GB + microSD |
| Battery | 31.29Wh | 13+ hours |
| Weight | 444g | 337g |
| Thickness | 5.3mm | — |
How they differ in real use
Built from our best display tablets scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) and the Amazon Fire HD 8 made our Top 5 Portability Tablets, at #2 (best premium) and #3 (best budget). Thinnest tablet ever at 5.3mm weighing just 444g with full M5 power and Tandem OLED. More portable than many e-readers despite flagship capabilities. Most portable budget option at 337g and 9.7mm thin. 8" size slips into purses or kids' backpacks. 13+ hours battery perfect for travel.
We score portability tablets on Weight (35%), Thinness (25%), Footprint (20%), Performance (10%) and Value (10%). On that basis the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) totals 9.3 out of 10 and the Amazon Fire HD 8 8.7. The widest gap is Thinness, where the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) scores 10 against 8 for the Amazon Fire HD 8 — thickness. Performance also separates them: 10 for the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) versus 5 for the Amazon Fire HD 8. The Amazon Fire HD 8 claws back ground on Footprint and Value.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Display — 11.1" Ultra Retina XDR, 2420×1668, 120Hz OLED on the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) versus 8" HD, 1280×800, 60Hz on the Amazon Fire HD 8; Processor — M5 (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU) on the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) versus MediaTek Helio P22 on the Amazon Fire HD 8; Storage — 256GB-2TB on the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) versus 32GB/64GB + microSD on the Amazon Fire HD 8; Battery — 31.29Wh on the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) versus 13+ hours on the Amazon Fire HD 8; Weight — 444g on the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) versus 337g on the Amazon Fire HD 8.
Pricing as of August 12, 2026: $999 for the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) and $100 for the Amazon Fire HD 8, a $899 difference in the Amazon Fire HD 8's favor. Owners praise the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) for thinnest ever 5.3mm and 444g lightest flagship; the most common complaint is $999 entry price. Owners praise the Amazon Fire HD 8 for ultra-affordable $100 and 13+ hours battery; the most common complaint is fire OS app limitations.
Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5)
- Thinnest ever 5.3mm
- 444g lightest flagship
- 1600 nits Tandem OLED
- M5 chip
- $999 entry price
- Smaller canvas limits productivity
- Same price as M4 gen
Amazon Fire HD 8
- Ultra-affordable $100
- 13+ hours battery
- Lightweight 337g
- Durable build
- Fire OS app limitations
- Low 1280×800 resolution
- Weak processor
Which should you buy?
The Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) is the better fit for portable power users and compact premium needs — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Thinness and Performance. The Amazon Fire HD 8 is the better fit for kids tablets and e-reading, and the stronger choice if Footprint and Value matter more to you than the overall score. If the $899 saving matters more than Thinness, the Amazon Fire HD 8 is the better value. The Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) is a poor fit for large canvas needs; the Amazon Fire HD 8 is a poor fit for app variety needs.
Choose the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) if
- Portable power users
- Compact premium needs
- Travel creatives
Skip it if
- Large canvas needs
- Budget buyers
Choose the Amazon Fire HD 8 if
- Kids tablets
- E-reading
- Basic streaming
Skip it if
- App variety needs
- Productivity work
Common questions
Is the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) better than the Amazon Fire HD 8?
In our Portability Tablets ranking the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) scores higher overall, 9.3 to 8.7, with the biggest advantage in Thinness. The Amazon Fire HD 8 is stronger on Footprint and Value, so it is the better pick if those matter most to you.
How much more does the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) cost than the Amazon Fire HD 8?
$899 more as of August 12, 2026: $999 for the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) against $100 for the Amazon Fire HD 8. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure. What the extra buys is mostly Thinness — 10 versus 8 in our scoring.
What is the main difference between the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) and the Amazon Fire HD 8?
The headline spec difference is Display: 11.1" Ultra Retina XDR, 2420×1668, 120Hz OLED on the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) versus 8" HD, 1280×800, 60Hz on the Amazon Fire HD 8. In use, the gap that matters most is Thinness (10 vs 8 in our scoring): thickness.