The sub-$150 tablet market is fiercely competitive, offering options for casual users, students, and families. We pit the Alcatel Smart Tab 7, a straightforward Android experience, against the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022), which prioritizes Amazon’s ecosystem and content delivery. This comparison focuses on how their core hardware differences translate into real-world usability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) is the better choice. Its hexa-core MT8169A processor provides a significantly smoother experience for multitasking, streaming, and light gaming compared to the Alcatel Smart Tab 7’s quad-core MT8167D. While the Alcatel offers a more standard Android experience, the Fire HD 8’s performance advantage justifies its slightly higher price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | - |
| 4G bands | N/A | - |
| EDGE | No | N/A |
| GPRS | No | N/A |
| Speed | No | - |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, Q4 | 2022, September 21 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, September 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 176 x 126 x 12 mm (6.93 x 4.96 x 0.47 in) | 201.9 x 137.4 x 9.6 mm (7.95 x 5.41 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 268 g (9.45 oz) | 337 g (11.89 oz) |
| | Built-in kickstand | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 600 x 1024 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~170 ppi density) | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.0 inches, 137.9 cm2 (~62.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~66.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TN TFT LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 | Hexa-core (6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8167D | Mediatek MT8169A |
| GPU | IMG GE8300 | Mali-G52 2EE MC2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 11, Fire OS 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1.5GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 0.3 MP, f/2.4, 1/5.0" | 5 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.4, 1/5.0", 1.65µm | 2 MP |
| Video | - | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | 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 b/g/n | 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-Ion 2580 mAh, non-removable | - |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, Denim, Rose |
| Models | - | KFRAWI |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 110 EUR |
alcatel Smart Tab 7
- Standard Android experience – no Amazon bloatware.
- Potentially more open app ecosystem.
- More compact size for portability.
- Significantly slower processor.
- Likely slower charging speeds.
- Less responsive user interface.
Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022)
- Faster hexa-core processor for smoother performance.
- 15W fast charging for quicker top-ups.
- Seamless integration with Amazon services.
- Amazon’s Fire OS is a heavily customized Android experience.
- Limited access to the Google Play Store without sideloading.
- Amazon ecosystem lock-in.
Display Comparison
Neither tablet 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. The Fire HD 8’s slightly larger screen size (8 inches vs. 7 inches) offers a more immersive viewing experience. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced features like LTPO is expected at this price point, meaning both will deliver standard visual fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are geared towards basic video calls and occasional snapshots. Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but given the price point, expect low-resolution sensors and limited image processing capabilities. Focusing on the chipset difference, the MT8169A in the Fire HD 8 likely has a slightly more capable ISP (Image Signal Processor) which could translate to marginally better image quality, but the difference will be minimal.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) features the Mediatek MT8169A, a hexa-core processor clocked at 2.0 GHz using Cortex-A55 cores. This represents a substantial upgrade over the Alcatel Smart Tab 7’s Mediatek MT8167D, which utilizes a quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 configuration. The Cortex-A55 cores in the MT8169A are more efficient and offer better single-core performance, resulting in snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. The additional cores also aid in handling background processes. While RAM amounts are not specified, the MT8169A’s superior processing power will be the dominant factor in overall performance.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Fire HD 8 (2022) supports 15W wired charging, a notable advantage over the Alcatel Smart Tab 7, which likely charges at a slower rate. Faster charging means less downtime and quicker top-ups, especially important for on-the-go users. While a larger mAh rating would be ideal, the 15W charging on the Fire HD 8 provides a tangible benefit in terms of convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Alcatel Smart Tab 7 if you need a basic, unadulterated Android tablet experience without Amazon’s software overlay and prefer a more open ecosystem. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) if you prioritize performance for streaming, casual gaming, and are heavily invested in Amazon’s services like Prime Video, Kindle, and Alexa.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) struggle with demanding games?
While the Fire HD 8 (2022) isn’t a gaming powerhouse, its MT8169A processor is capable of handling casual games and less graphically intensive titles. Demanding games will likely require lower graphics settings and may still experience some lag. The Alcatel Smart Tab 7 will struggle even more with these titles.
❓ Can I easily install apps like Netflix and YouTube on the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022)?
Yes, while the Fire HD 8 doesn’t come with the Google Play Store pre-installed, you can easily sideload apps like Netflix and YouTube. Amazon provides a built-in appstore, and installing apps from outside the store is relatively straightforward, though it requires a few extra steps.
❓ Is the Alcatel Smart Tab 7 a good choice for reading ebooks?
The Alcatel Smart Tab 7 is adequate for reading ebooks, but the smaller screen size and slower processor might not provide the most comfortable experience. The Fire HD 8’s larger screen and faster performance would be preferable for extended reading sessions, especially if you utilize Kindle.
