Kindle Fire Seen Slowing Some Previously-Planned iPad Purchases

With Amazon's forthcoming Kindle Fire tablet staking out a new position at the bargain end of the tablet market with its $199 price tag, some have wondered how significantly the device will eat into Apple's potential iPad sales.

A new survey from RBC Capital Markets and ChangeWave Research now puts some numbers to that impact, revealing that 26% of those surveyed customers who have either already pre-ordered a Kindle Fire or are "very likely" to purchase one have either delayed or put on indefinite hold previously-planned iPad purchases.

kindle fire impact rbc
The survey also reveals relatively strong overall interest in the Kindle Fire, with 5% of survey respondents registering as either having already pre-ordered or being very likely to purchase the device. That compares with 4% of respondents who had indicated similar intent for the original iPad back in February 2010. The tablet market is of course at very different level of maturity now, however, given that Apple's iPad has sparked consumer interest in the form factor.

For its part, Apple has reportedly indicated that it welcomes the arrival of the Kindle Fire, suggesting that yet another Android-based tablet entrant heavily customized to integrate with Amazon's services will further fragment that platform and drive more customers toward the stability of Apple's iOS.

Related Roundup: iPad
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
xiaomi apple ad india

Apple and Samsung Push Back Against Xiaomi's Bold India Ads

Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging." Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down

Apple Preparing iOS 18.7 for iPhones as iOS 26 Release Date Nears

Sunday August 31, 2025 4:35 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs. We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else. iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...

Top Rated Comments

thetexan Avatar
180 months ago
I don't see why the media keeps comparing the Fire to the iPad. They're very different items that do different things. I own an iPad and I'm going to purchase a Fire because they are different.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fazzy Avatar
180 months ago
No matter how much better the iPad is than other tablets, competition is healthy for any Market sector
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Grimace Avatar
180 months ago
What was the N of the survey? If there were only 100 people (per usual with these "surveys") then the whole thing is useless.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
samcraig Avatar
180 months ago
I think it just illustrates that when given a viable option - one where there's a good competing ecosystem - people can make a choice.

As I've maintained - while I love my iPad - many people don't want to shell out 499+ when all they really want is a media consumption device and some email/web surfing. Yes - UI is great on the iPad - but not everyone wants to spend the extra money when (now) there's a choice and one backed by an ecosystem of books, music, video and apps.

I see these stats as obvious. I think the Kindle Fire sells well to those who had no plans on buying an iPad but also those that had no viable choice before Amazon entered the game.

The Nook tablet has better specs - but I still think that they won't do as well as the Fire because B&N doesn't have the same ecosystem.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
supersalo Avatar
180 months ago
And I have a feeling those that are buying a Fire were never going to buy an iPad in the first place.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Renzatic Avatar
180 months ago
LMFAO. You must be joking.

This is the kind of nonsense you hear from someone who really can't/doesn't/won't understand the whole of the Apple ecosystem. Amazon has nothing to compare to. They have a website, where you can buy em pee threez. Big deal.
I don't think you understand what an "ecosystem" is. Or you do, but you think only Apple has one. Hell, when some people say "Apple Ecosystem", I imagine their eyes glaze over, and they get one of those thousand yard stares that creep everyone out.

I'm already thinking about putting it on my list of overly used big words and phrases people throw around on the internet all the time so they look like they know what they're talking about. It'll be there alongside "innovative" and "relevant".

So you can no longer say stuff like "the Apple Ecosystem is innovative because it collaborates to the objectives of my principals, and is relevant to my chosen preliminary injunction of patent infringements you obviously don't understand. It Just Works. You mad, bro?".

Okay, just to clarify, Amazon and Apple are quite similar in alot of ways. They both host streaming movies, music, books, ect. The only real difference is that Apple uses standalone software, while Amazon hosts their services via a webpage. So no, it's not "just a webpage where you can buy em pee threez". Only an idiot would say something like that, let alone think it.

You're not an idiot...are you?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)