Amazon Prime Big Deal Days is currently underway, offering Prime members the opportunity to score some great deals on tablets. The sale includes discounts on a range of iPads, Amazon Fire slates, and the Google Pixel Tablet. While some discounts are available to all customers, it’s worth noting that prices may drop even further on Black Friday. Additionally, rumors suggest that Apple may release new iPads in the near future, including updates to the iPad Air and iPad mini. However, if you’re in the market for a new tablet right now, here are the best bargains available during Amazon’s October Prime Day sale.
Apple iPad Air
The iPad Air is currently on sale for $500, which is $99 less than buying directly from Apple. This model offers the best combination of price and performance in Apple’s tablet lineup. It features an elegant design similar to the iPad Pro, an M1 chip that can handle work and heavy gaming, a 10.9-inch display, a USB-C port, and support for the latest Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard. However, it comes with only 64GB of storage and a 60Hz refresh rate. Last year, we gave the iPad Air a review score of 90.
Apple iPad (9th gen)
The entry-level iPad is available for $249, matching the best price we’ve seen and $80 lower than Apple’s list price. While it has an older design with thick bezels, a Home button, a Lightning port, and a non-laminated display, it still offers excellent value. With 64GB of non-upgradeable storage, it’s fast enough for casual media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. It also has a display that is superior to most cheaper tablets and can last over 10 hours per charge. Additionally, it provides access to Apple’s wide app library, strong customer support, and years of OS updates.
Apple iPad (10th gen)
Priced at $399, the 10th-gen iPad is a middle-ground option between the 10.2-inch iPad and iPad Air. While it lacks the laminated display, M-series chip, and accessory support of the iPad Air, it still offers a similar design and a landscape-oriented selfie camera that is convenient for FaceTime calls. It works with the first-gen Apple Pencil and is a fine compromise if you can’t afford the iPad Air.
Apple iPad mini
The 8.3-inch iPad mini is currently on sale for $400, which is $50 less than its usual street price and $99 off Apple’s list price. It remains the best compact tablet on the market, offering all the perks of modern iPads in a design that is easier to hold. However, like other non-Pro iPads, it only has 64GB of default, non-upgradeable storage.
Amazon Fire HD 8
The Fire HD 8 is available for $60, which is $40 off its list price. While it may not be premium, it offers enough for casual streaming, reading, and web browsing. It’s the cheapest competent tablet for most people, with a lightweight design, a battery that can last over 10 hours, and sufficient performance for basic tasks. The display is limited to a resolution of 1,280 x 800, but at $60, it’s hard to find a better deal.
Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus
For those willing to spend a little more, the Fire HD 8 Plus adds an extra gigabyte of RAM and wireless charging support. Priced at $70, it’s $50 off its typical going rate. While it’s still not fast or suitable for serious gaming, the additional RAM makes navigation smoother, and the wireless charging support is useful if you want to use the tablet as a pseudo smart display.
Google Pixel Tablet
The 128GB model of the Google Pixel Tablet is available for $409, which is $90 off and a new low. It features a sharp LCD display, a speedy Tensor G2 chip, and a design that is easy to hold. Its unique selling point is the ability to attach to an included charging speaker dock and function as a smart display. While Android may not be as optimized for large screens as iPadOS, the extra functionality may be appealing to some users. We gave the Pixel Tablet a score of 85.
Amazon Fire Max 11
The Fire Max 11 is Amazon’s largest and most performant tablet, with an 11-inch display, an aluminum frame, an octa-core processor, and 4GB of RAM. It’s on sale for $150, matching its all-time low. While it has the same software limitations and lock-screen ads as other Fire tablets, it may be a good option for those heavily invested in Amazon services and seeking an alternative to an entry-level iPad. However, it may not be suitable for productivity tasks.
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021)
Lastly, the previous generation of the Fire HD 10 is available for $75, tying its all-time low. While a newer model was recently released, the older version still offers an upgrade over the Fire HD 8 for those seeking a larger display and aren’t willing to wait for a sale on the new model.
In conclusion, Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sale offers a range of tablet deals for Prime members. While there may be lower prices on Black Friday and potential new iPad releases in the future, these deals provide an opportunity to score a new tablet at a discounted price. Whether you’re looking for an iPad or an Amazon Fire tablet, there are options available to suit different needs and budgets.