The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, and the Acer Iconia A14 and Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) represent two compelling options. While both aim to deliver an affordable tablet experience, they take distinctly different approaches to hardware and software. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which tablet offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing a more open Android experience and potentially better sustained performance in demanding tasks, the Acer Iconia A14 emerges as the stronger choice. However, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) offers the convenience of wireless charging and tighter Amazon ecosystem integration, making it ideal for Prime members.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | - |
| 4G bands | N/A | - |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, September 03 | 2021, April 27. Released 2021, May 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, November | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 324.6 x 211 x 8 mm (12.78 x 8.31 x 0.31 in) | 247 x 166 x 9.2 mm (9.72 x 6.54 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 910 g (2.01 lb) | 468 g (1.03 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Aluminosilicate glass |
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~162 ppi density) | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 14.0 inches, 568.3 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Allwinner A733 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG BXM-4-64 MC01 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | Yes | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| | - | Text-to-Speech English-language content reader |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless |
| Type | 8000 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Vapor Silver | Slate |
| Models | A14-M1N | T76N2P |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 150 EUR |
Acer Iconia A14
- More versatile Android OS
- Potentially better CPU performance with Cortex-A76 cores
- Greater app compatibility
- No wireless charging
- Display specs are unknown
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)
- Wireless charging support
- Tight Amazon ecosystem integration
- Hands-free Alexa access
- Fire OS limitations (app compatibility)
- Older CPU architecture (Cortex-A73)
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly high-end display. Both utilize 12nm chipsets, suggesting a focus on cost optimization over display prowess. While specific display specs (resolution, brightness) are missing for the Iconia A14, the Fire HD 10 Plus features a 10.1-inch IPS LCD. The key differentiator here is software; Amazon’s Fire OS heavily influences the visual experience, while the Iconia A14 offers a more standard Android interface. Bezels are likely comparable, given the price points, and color accuracy is expected to be average on both.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are positioned as budget devices, and camera quality typically takes a backseat. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both offer adequate cameras for basic video calls and casual snapshots, but not much more. Expect limited low-light performance and average image quality. Focusing on megapixel counts would be misleading without knowing sensor size and lens quality.
Performance
The performance gap between these tablets hinges on their respective chipsets. The Acer Iconia A14’s Allwinner A733 features two Cortex-A76 cores alongside six Cortex-A55 cores, a configuration geared towards a balance of performance and efficiency. The Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) utilizes the MediaTek MT8183 Helio P60T, with four Cortex-A73 cores and four Cortex-A53 cores. While both are octa-core, the A76 cores in the Iconia A14 represent a more modern architecture, potentially offering a performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks. The Fire HD 10 Plus benefits from a slightly more mature chipset, but the Iconia A14’s newer core design could translate to better responsiveness. RAM configurations are unknown for both, but will significantly impact multitasking capabilities.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. The Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) offers the convenience of wireless charging, a feature absent on the Acer Iconia A14. While battery capacity is unknown for both, the inclusion of wireless charging suggests Amazon prioritizes convenience, potentially at the expense of overall battery size. The Iconia A14’s more modern chipset *could* offer better power efficiency, but this is speculative without detailed testing. Charging times will be significantly faster on the Fire HD 10 Plus with a compatible wireless charger.
Buying Guide
Buy the Acer Iconia A14 if you need a tablet running a standard Android build, allowing for greater app compatibility and customization. It's best suited for users who want a versatile device for productivity, media consumption, and light gaming. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) if you are heavily invested in the Amazon ecosystem, frequently use Amazon services, and value features like wireless charging and hands-free Alexa integration. It excels as a media consumption device and a smart home hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Allwinner A733 in the Acer Iconia A14 struggle with demanding games?
While the Allwinner A733 is a capable chipset, it's not designed for high-end gaming. Expect to be able to play less graphically intensive games smoothly, but newer, more demanding titles may require reduced settings or experience occasional frame drops. The Cortex-A76 cores offer a performance boost over older designs, but it won't match dedicated gaming hardware.
❓ How much does Amazon's Fire OS restrict app availability compared to standard Android on the Acer Iconia A14?
Fire OS is a heavily customized version of Android, and it lacks access to the full Google Play Store. While you can sideload apps, it's not a seamless process. The Acer Iconia A14, running a standard Android build, provides access to the full Google Play Store and a wider range of apps without requiring workarounds.
❓ Is the wireless charging on the Fire HD 10 Plus particularly fast?
The Fire HD 10 Plus supports standard Qi wireless charging, but it's not known to support fast wireless charging standards. Expect charging speeds to be slower than with a wired connection, and comparable to other devices using standard Qi wireless charging.
