The sub-$150 tablet market is fiercely competitive, and the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) and Alcatel 3T 8 represent two popular choices. While both aim to deliver affordable entertainment and productivity, they take drastically different approaches to achieving that goal. The Fire HD 8 prioritizes processing power with its hexa-core chipset, while the Alcatel 3T 8 focuses on a more streamlined experience with a quad-core processor. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which tablet offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) is the superior choice. Its hexa-core processor significantly outperforms the Alcatel 3T 8’s quad-core, resulting in a smoother, more responsive experience, especially when multitasking or running demanding apps. While the Alcatel 3T 8 may offer slightly better battery life due to its less powerful processor, the Fire HD 8’s 15W charging mitigates this difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | - |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 66, 71 | - |
| EDGE | No | N/A |
| GPRS | No | N/A |
| Speed | LTE | - |
| Technology | LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, October 08. Released 2018, October 08 | 2022, September 21 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, September 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 209.5 x 125 x 8.3 mm (8.25 x 4.92 x 0.33 in) | 201.9 x 137.4 x 9.6 mm (7.95 x 5.41 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | No |
| Weight | 279 g (9.84 oz) | 337 g (11.89 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~70.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~66.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.28 GHz | Hexa-core (6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8765 | Mediatek MT8169A |
| GPU | - | Mali-G52 2EE MC2 |
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo) | Android 11, Fire OS 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.8, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.65µm | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| | - | Alexa natural language commands
Text-to-Speech English-language content reader |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Talk time | - | Up to 13 h |
| Type | Li-Po 4080 mAh | - |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Black, Denim, Rose |
| Models | 9027Q, 9027W, 9032X, 9032T, 9032X_EEA | KFRAWI |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 110 EUR |
alcatel 3T 8
- More powerful hexa-core processor for smoother performance
- Faster 15W wired charging
- Amazon ecosystem integration (for Amazon users)
- Amazon’s Fire OS can be restrictive
- Potential for bloatware
Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022)
- Lower price point
- Potentially longer battery life during light use
- More open Android experience (likely)
- Significantly slower processor
- Slower charging speeds
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly impressive display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, detailed specs like resolution and brightness are missing for the Alcatel 3T 8. The Fire HD 8 (2022) benefits from Amazon’s software optimizations, potentially offering better color calibration. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, reflecting their budget nature. Without specific data on the Alcatel 3T 8’s panel, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Fire HD 8’s software tuning gives it a slight edge.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both devices likely feature basic camera setups geared towards video calls rather than photography. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume image quality will be mediocre in less-than-ideal lighting conditions. Focusing on camera specs in this segment is often misleading, as software processing plays a larger role than hardware. We can expect similar results from both, making this a tie.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) is equipped with the Mediatek MT8169A, a hexa-core processor clocked at 2.0 GHz, utilizing Cortex-A55 cores. This is a substantial upgrade over the Alcatel 3T 8’s Mediatek MT8765, a quad-core processor clocked at 1.28 GHz. The Cortex-A55 architecture in the Fire HD 8 is more efficient and offers better single-core performance, translating to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. The additional cores also provide a boost in multi-threaded tasks. While neither tablet is a gaming powerhouse, the Fire HD 8 will handle casual games with considerably less stuttering. The Fire HD 8’s performance advantage is further enhanced by the potential for better RAM management, though specific RAM amounts are not provided in the context data.
Battery Life
The Alcatel 3T 8 likely benefits from the lower power draw of its quad-core processor, potentially offering slightly longer battery life during light usage. However, the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) compensates with its 15W wired charging, allowing for significantly faster recharge times. A full charge from 0-100% on the Fire HD 8 will likely take less than 3 hours, while the Alcatel 3T 8 will likely require a longer charging period. This faster charging capability is a significant convenience factor, mitigating any potential battery life advantage held by the Alcatel 3T 8.
Buying Guide
Buy the Alcatel 3T 8 if you need a basic tablet primarily for reading ebooks, light web browsing, and simple tasks where raw performance isn't critical. Its lower price point makes it an attractive option for those on a very tight budget. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) if you prefer a more versatile tablet capable of handling streaming, casual gaming, and multitasking without significant lag. The faster processor and 15W charging provide a noticeably improved user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) struggle with streaming video services like Netflix or YouTube?
While not a high-end device, the MT8169A chipset in the Fire HD 8 (2022) is capable of handling 1080p streaming without significant issues. You may experience occasional buffering with very high bitrate content, but for most users, the streaming experience will be acceptable. The Alcatel 3T 8’s weaker processor is more likely to struggle with consistent 1080p playback.
❓ Can I easily install Google Play Store on the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022)?
Installing the Google Play Store on a Fire tablet is possible, but it requires a degree of technical expertise and involves sideloading apps. It's not a straightforward process and may void your warranty. While there are numerous online guides available, it's important to proceed with caution and understand the risks involved. The Alcatel 3T 8, running a more standard Android build, will have access to the Play Store out of the box.
❓ Is the Alcatel 3T 8 a good choice for older adults who primarily want to read ebooks and browse the web?
Yes, the Alcatel 3T 8 could be a suitable option for this use case. Its lower price point and simpler interface make it accessible, and the quad-core processor is sufficient for basic tasks like reading and web browsing. However, the slower processor may result in noticeable lag when loading complex webpages.
