Today Amazon has presented the second generation of its tablets with important improvements but again maintaining really good prices. Those in Seattle have gone a step further than Google itself with Nexus 7 and have put on the table two computers with the fashionable processor, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 de. The high-end range makes a strong comeback in the second half of 2013 and we see how the main players in the tablet market are positioning themselves. Samsung has also wanted to use this chip in its new large tablet. Both represent the biggest threat to the iPad 4 and even the fifth generation right now. Let's put the Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 and Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition face to face to see what we're up against.
Size and weight
We are facing two quite different formats. The designs have nothing to do with aesthetics, but in both cases they bet on a reduced thickness. Although we warn that the Amazon has a better relationship between dimensions and weight, being a lighter device.
Screen
The WQXGA or Quad HD standard is the future of tablets. Nexus 10 put it on the table for the first time and it was not until a year later that we have seen it on other computers. Thanks to its smaller size, the Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 has the highest pixel density on a tablet screen.
Unlimited
As we said, both manufacturers have chosen the most advanced chip from Qualcomm. The Americans accompany it with 2 GB and the South Koreans with 3 GB. Here there may be a difference. Also in the operating system, since the Fire OS is a true unknown. Either way, everything would have to go very wrong in the design and integration with the software so that in both cases the performance was not spectacular.
Storage
Amazon is following in the footsteps of Google and Apple and choosing not to put additional storage slots. This decision is easily explained: the three companies have interests in the sale of content and put them ahead of the interests of the user. Samsung does not play in that league and allows us to expand the memory of the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition by micro SD.
The two computers have three identical internal storage options up to 64GB.
Connectivity
In both cases, we will have the option of buying a version with mobile network connections up to 4G speed over LTE. We also have methods for connecting tablets to larger screens, either via cable or WiFi Direct.
Cameras and sound
The approach is very similar when it comes to cameras. A camera for video calls on the front and an 8 MPX camera with Flash LED on the back.
Both computers have stereo speakers, although the Dolby Plus Digital audio management technology is only on the Kindle.
Battery
Amazon has a somewhat higher autonomy according to the numbers, but this has to be checked at length because there are many ways to use the battery.
Price and conclusions
The price of the new Note 10.1 is still unknown but we hope it will be quite high and that it will exceed 500 euros in its simplest version.
In Amazon they have returned to give a great price for their new tablets. We start from 379 euros in the most basic model of the Kindle Fire HDX 8.9. This is a real bargain for the technical specifications it has. The only doubt on the table is the Fire OS operating system, a novelty about which we do not know so many things that it is still difficult to evaluate.
Of its rival we do know that it will use the most advanced version of Android published. In addition, there is the famous Samsung Premium Suite that we have seen greatly improved in the Note 3 also at the IFA with new functions and tricks. Specifically, the S-Pen gives us many more options than a simple stylus since it has software specifically created to give it a go.
In short, we believe that these two models can mark a before and after in high-end tablets.
|
Tablet |
Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 | Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 |
| Size | 243,1 x 171,4 x 7,9 mm | 231 x 158 x 7,8 mm |
| Screen | 10.1 inch LCD | 8,9 inch HD LCD, IPS panel |
| Litigation, Arbitration | 2560 x 1600 (298 ppi) | 2560 x 1600 (339 ppi) |
| Thickness | 7,9 mm | 7,8 mm |
| Weight | 535 grams | 374g (WiFi) / 384g (WiFi + LTE) |
| Operating system | 4.3 Android Jelly Bean | Fire OS |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 800
CPU: Quad Core Krait 400 @ 2,2 GHz GPU: Adreno 330 |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 800
CPU: Quad Core Krait 400 @ 2,2 GHz GPU: Adreno 330 |
| RAM | 3 GB | 2 GB |
| Conference proceedings | 16 GB / 32 GB / 64 GB | 16/32 / 64 GB |
| Extension | Micro SD | Cloud drive |
| Connectivity | Dual band WiFi, WiFi Direct / 4G LTE, Bluetooth 4.0 | Dual band WiFi / 4G LTE, Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Ports | USB 2.0, 3.5 mm Jack | USB 2.0, microHDMI, 3.5 Jack, |
| Sound | 2 rear speakers | 2 Speaker, Dolby Audio Plus |
| Camera | Front VGA / Rear 8 MPX Flash LED | Front HD / Rear 8 MPX, LED Flash |
| Sensors | GPS, Accelerometer, Light Sensor, Gyroscope, Compass | GPS, gyroscope, light sensor, accelerometer |
| Battery | 10h | 12h |
| Accessories | S-Pen (stylus) | — |
| Price | To unveil | WiFi: $ 379 (16GB) / $ 429 (32GB9 / $ 479 (64GB)
WiFi + 4G: $ 479 (16GB) / $ 529 (32GB) / $ 579 (64GB) |