What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
This is a historical roundup of U.S. Prime Day prices observed in July 2023—not a list of live deals. The best iPad bargain was the 64GB ninth-generation iPad at about $250. For basic streaming and reading, Amazon’s Fire HD 10 at $75 was the better cheap-tablet deal; for Android buyers, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8 at $500 was the strongest pick.
Prime Day prices varied by configuration, membership status, color, and inventory. Some offers were available beyond Prime members, and the figures below exclude tax unless otherwise noted. See the original Engadget roundup for the primary deal coverage.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Prime Day 2023 tablet deals at a glance
| Category | Tablet and configuration | Observed price | Best for | Main compromise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best iPad bargain | iPad ninth generation, 64GB | About $250 | Affordable iPadOS | Older design and only 64GB |
| Best iPad upgrade | iPad Air, 64GB | $500 | School, drawing, multitasking | Limited base storage |
| Best compact tablet | iPad mini, 64GB | $380 | Reading and portability | 64GB was restrictive |
| Best cheap tablet | Fire HD 10, 32GB | $75 | Streaming and browsing | Fire OS app limitations |
| Best cheap small tablet | Fire HD 8, 32GB | $55 | Reading and basic streaming | Slower hardware and lower-resolution display |
| Best Android tablet | Galaxy Tab S8, 128GB | $500 | Android, stylus use, performance | Fewer tablet-optimized apps than iPadOS |
| Best large Android tablet | Galaxy Tab S8+, 128GB | $600 | OLED video and drawing | Cost |
| Best children’s tablet | Fire HD 10 Kids or Kids Pro, 32GB | $120 | Child-focused entertainment | Fire OS and subscription considerations |
Best overall iPad deal: the ninth-generation iPad at about $250
The 64GB ninth-generation iPad was the standout iPad bargain of Prime Day 2023. At approximately $249 to $250, it delivered the broad iPadOS app ecosystem, a 10.2-inch display, and an A13 Bionic chip for substantially less than newer iPad models.
Recommended Free Tools
It was well suited to streaming, browsing, schoolwork, casual gaming, video calls, and ordinary iPad apps. For a buyer who specifically wanted an iPad at the lowest reasonable price, this was the deal to beat.
#1 Best Overall
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
The low price came with clear compromises. The tablet used a Lightning port, a physical Home button, thick bezels, and a non-laminated display. Its 64GB storage could fill quickly with games, downloaded video, photos, and creative files. It was also older than the redesigned 10th-generation iPad and the iPad Air. A headphone jack was one advantage for buyers who preferred wired headphones.
The 256GB version was reported at approximately $389 to $390. That configuration made more sense for heavy users, but it reduced the value advantage over newer models.
Should you have paid more for the 10th-generation iPad?
A syndicated version of the 2023 roundup reported the 64GB 10th-generation iPad at about $380 and the 256GB model at about $529. The listing does not appear consistently in the primary version of the coverage, so those prices should be attributed to the syndicated version rather than treated as a universally confirmed Prime Day listing.
The 10th-generation model offered a newer design, USB-C, a larger 10.9-inch screen, and a landscape-oriented front camera. It was a more modern tablet than the ninth-generation iPad, but it occupied an awkward middle ground between the cheap ninth-generation model and the more capable iPad Air. It also did not support the second-generation Apple Pencil.
At $380, it could have been worth considering for buyers who cared about USB-C and the newer design. At the reported $250 price, however, the ninth-generation iPad remained the better deal.
Best iPad upgrade: iPad Air at $500
The 64GB iPad Air fell to $500. Its M1 chip, laminated display, modern design, and broader accessory support made it the stronger tablet for drawing, school, multitasking, and longer-term ownership.
That does not necessarily make it the best Prime Day bargain. The $500 price had reportedly appeared repeatedly in the months before the event, so the Air was arguably the better product while the ninth-generation iPad was the better deal.
Rank #2
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
Storage was the Air’s biggest weakness. The 64GB model could be adequate for streaming and documents, but it was a poor fit for large games, downloaded media, photos, or creative projects. Because iPads do not offer user-expandable storage, buyers had to choose carefully at checkout.
Best compact tablet: iPad mini at $380
The 64GB iPad mini reached approximately $380, making it one of the clearest specialist recommendations. Its 8.3-inch size was excellent for one-handed reading, travel, and use in tight spaces, while the A15 Bionic chip provided ample performance for demanding apps and games.
The mini was effectively a compact version of the modern iPad Air idea: powerful, portable, and compatible with Apple’s tablet ecosystem. It was not ideal for split-screen work, keyboard-heavy productivity, or large creative projects. The 64GB storage limit was again the main concern. A syndicated report placed the 256GB model at roughly $529, but that configuration and price should be treated as less certain.
Best cheap tablet: Fire HD 10 at $75
The 32GB Fire HD 10 was the best deal for buyers whose priority was spending as little as possible on a usable media tablet. At $75, it was a compelling choice for Prime Video, Netflix and other supported streaming apps, Kindle reading, web browsing, and basic household use.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Its 10.1-inch 1080p display and microSD expansion helped offset the low internal storage. The 2021 hardware was not new in 2023, but the price made that easier to accept.
It was not an iPad substitute. Fire OS used Amazon’s app store, which had a less comprehensive selection than Apple’s App Store or Google Play. Google services such as YouTube and Gmail were not supported in the normal way, and Amazon services were emphasized throughout the experience. Standard Fire tablets could also include lock-screen advertising unless the buyer paid to remove it.
The 64GB Fire HD 10 was reported at $90. The extra storage was useful, but microSD expansion meant the 32GB model was usually the stronger value for streaming-focused buyers.
Rank #3
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
Fire HD 10 Plus: worth the extra $20?
The Fire HD 10 Plus was reported at $95 and added 4GB of RAM, wireless charging support, and a slightly more appealing use case as an Alexa-style smart display when paired with a charging dock.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
For ordinary streaming and reading, the base Fire HD 10 at $75 was probably the better purchase. The Plus model made sense when wireless charging or the extra memory mattered enough to justify the premium. The dock, case, and other accessories were additional costs.
Best ultra-budget tablet: Fire HD 8 at $55
The 32GB Fire HD 8 was a sensible step down for readers who wanted something lighter and cheaper. At $55, it was suitable for Kindle books, basic streaming, and simple browsing.
Its 8-inch display used a 1,280-by-800 resolution, and its performance was weaker than the Fire HD 10’s. It was less comfortable for productivity, split-screen use, and long viewing sessions. Still, it was a better general recommendation than the $40 Fire 7, whose 7-inch, 1,024-by-600 display and weaker performance made the additional $15 for the HD 8 worthwhile whenever the budget allowed.
The Fire HD 8 Plus cost $70 and added 3GB of RAM, wireless charging, and a slightly better camera. Those features were useful only if they matched the buyer’s needs; they did not change the tablet’s basic Fire OS limitations.
Best Android tablet: Galaxy Tab S8 at $500
The 128GB Galaxy Tab S8 was the strongest Android deal in the roundup at $500. It combined an 11-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 2,560-by-1,600 resolution, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, 8GB of RAM, and S Pen support.
It was a particularly good fit for Galaxy-phone owners, Android users who wanted more customization, and buyers who valued an included stylus. It was also substantially more capable than the Fire tablets for multitasking, drawing, and demanding apps.
Rank #4
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
Android’s tablet software remained the central trade-off. Large-screen app support was less consistent than on iPadOS, and productivity could be less accommodating than on iPadOS or Windows. The Tab S8 was a strong Android tablet, but Android was not automatically the better tablet platform for every buyer.
Best large-screen Android tablet: Galaxy Tab S8+ at $600
The 128GB Galaxy Tab S8+ cost about $600 during the event. It added a 12.4-inch OLED display, a larger battery, and a thinner body than the standard S8.
The OLED screen made it attractive for movies, drawing, and buyers who wanted a large Android canvas. The standard Tab S8 was likely the more balanced purchase, however: it cost $100 less while retaining the same general Android ecosystem and many of the same productivity limitations.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Best children’s tablet: Fire HD 10 Kids or Kids Pro at $120
The Fire HD 10 Kids and Fire HD 10 Kids Pro were reported at $120. Their value came mainly from the bundle: a protective case, a built-in stand or kickstand, a two-year warranty, one year of Amazon Kids+, and a child-focused interface without lock-screen advertisements.
The standard Fire HD 10 Kids used a bulkier, more protective rubberized case aimed at younger children. The Kids Pro used a slimmer hard-plastic case and a more age-appropriate design for older children. The tablet hardware was broadly similar, so the choice depended on the child’s age and how much protection was needed.
The Fire HD 8 Kids and Kids Pro were cheaper at $75. They were reasonable for basic child-focused use, but they were slower and offered less screen space. Parents should also check what happens when the included Kids+ period ends, because the subscription can renew under the applicable terms.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsPremium and niche picks
12.9-inch iPad Pro: $1,049
The 128GB 12.9-inch iPad Pro was reported at $1,049, about $50 below Apple’s list price at the time. It offered a large mini-LED display and high-end performance, making it the right kind of tool for demanding creative work and large-screen media.
Best Value
It was overkill for browsing, streaming, and ordinary schoolwork. The 128GB capacity could also be limiting for professional video and creative files, while an Apple Pencil, keyboard, case, and other accessories could push the total cost much higher. It was a premium option, not a standout bargain.
Fire Max 11: $150
The Fire Max 11 was Amazon’s highest-end tablet at the time and fell to $150 for 64GB. It offered an 11-inch, 2,000-by-1,200 display, a faster processor than the Fire HD models, and an aluminum chassis.
It was a niche upgrade for buyers who specifically wanted a more premium Amazon tablet. As its price approached entry-level iPad territory, Fire OS’s app and productivity limitations became harder to overlook. Buyers who wanted a normal Android app catalog, Google services, or advanced productivity were better served elsewhere.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →How to choose among the 2023 deals
Choose by platform
- iPadOS: Best for broad tablet-optimized app support, Apple-device integration, creative apps, demanding games, and long-term performance. The ninth-generation iPad was the bargain; the Air was the better upgrade.
- Fire OS: Best for streaming, Kindle reading, simple browsing, children’s entertainment, and the lowest price. Accept the smaller app catalog, Amazon emphasis, and possible advertising.
- Samsung Android: Best for Galaxy-phone owners, stylus users, high-refresh-rate displays, OLED, and Android customization. Expect less consistent large-screen app support than on iPadOS.
Check storage before buying
A 64GB iPad could be adequate for browsing and streaming but restrictive for games, downloads, photos, and creative work. Fire tablets supported microSD expansion, although a memory card did not solve their app or performance limitations. Storage was not user-expandable on the iPads, so the cheapest configuration was not always the cheapest long-term choice.
Budget for the complete setup
Headline prices excluded cases, keyboards, styluses, charging docks, and screen protectors. A $500 iPad Air could require an Apple Pencil and keyboard for a drawing or productivity workflow. A Galaxy tablet could need a keyboard cover. A child’s Fire tablet already included more protection in its Kids bundle, while standard Fire models could add an ad-removal charge.
What the best deal depended on
There was no single winner for every buyer:
- Under $100: Fire HD 10 at $75 for a large-screen media tablet, or Fire HD 8 at $55 for a smaller device.
- Best iPad value: Ninth-generation iPad at about $250.
- Best iPad experience: iPad Air at $500, provided 64GB was enough.
- Best portable reader: iPad mini at $380 for performance, or Fire HD 8 at $55 for minimum cost.
- Best Android deal: Galaxy Tab S8 at $500.
- Best OLED Android option: Galaxy Tab S8+ at $600.
- Best for children: Fire HD 10 Kids or Kids Pro at $120.
- Best premium creative tablet: 12.9-inch iPad Pro, if its display and performance justified the $1,049 price.
Important historical price caveats
Prime Day inventory could sell out or fluctuate, and a lowest-price claim might apply only to one storage tier, color, connectivity option, or advertising configuration. The reported 10th-generation iPad listings also differed between the primary and syndicated versions of the coverage.
These prices should not be treated as current offers in 2026. The ninth-generation iPad, Fire HD models, Fire Max 11, and Galaxy Tab S8 may have been replaced, discontinued, or moved primarily into refurbished or clearance channels. For current alternatives, start with Apple’s iPad buying page, Samsung’s tablet lineup, or Amazon’s Fire tablet page; those pages require a fresh price and availability check.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
