Amazon's Fire HD tablets consistently offer compelling value, but navigating the model lineup can be tricky. We're pitting the larger, older Fire HD 10 (2019) against the more recent, compact Fire HD 8 Plus (2020) to determine which provides the best experience for your needs, focusing on the core differences in processing power, features, and overall usability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019) represents the better value. Its more powerful Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T chipset delivers significantly improved performance for multitasking and demanding applications, outweighing the HD 8 Plus's convenience of wireless charging. However, the HD 8 Plus is a strong contender for those prioritizing portability and wireless convenience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | - |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | - |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, October | 2020, March 13. Released 2020, June 03 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 262 x 159 x 9.8 mm (10.31 x 6.26 x 0.39 in) | 202 x 137 x 9.7 mm (7.95 x 5.39 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 504 g (1.11 lb) | 355 g (12.52 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~67.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) | Mediatek MT8168 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Mali-G52 MC1 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | 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 | - | Wireless |
| Talk time | - | Up to 12 h |
| Type | Li-Ion | - |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Plum, Twilight Blue, White | White, Black, Twilight Blue, Plum |
| Models | KFMAWI | - |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.38 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) | - |
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019)
- Significantly faster processor for smoother multitasking.
- Larger display for a more immersive viewing experience.
- Potentially longer battery life due to larger battery capacity.
- Lacks wireless charging.
- Larger and less portable than the HD 8 Plus.
Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2020)
- Convenient wireless charging.
- More compact and portable design.
- Lower price point (typically).
- Noticeably slower processor for demanding tasks.
- Smaller display may feel cramped for some users.
Display Comparison
While both tablets utilize 1280x800 resolution displays, the Fire HD 10's larger 10.1-inch screen offers a more immersive viewing experience. Neither device boasts advanced display technology like LTPO or OLED, typical for this price segment. Bezels are comparable, and without detailed color accuracy data, it's safe to assume both offer standard IPS panel performance suitable for media consumption, but not professional color-critical work. The larger screen of the HD 10 is a clear advantage for reading and video playback.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet is designed for serious photography. Both likely feature similar low-resolution camera setups, and detailed sensor information is unavailable. Focusing on the chipset difference, the HD 10's more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the MT8183 *may* offer slightly better image processing, but the overall camera experience will remain limited by the sensor quality. We can safely assume that neither device will excel in low-light conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Fire HD 10 (2019) features the Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T, an octa-core processor with a heterogeneous architecture – four Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz for performance and four Cortex-A53 cores for efficiency. This contrasts sharply with the Fire HD 8 Plus (2020)'s Mediatek MT8168, a quad-core Cortex-A53 processor also clocked at 2.0 GHz. The A73 cores in the HD 10 provide a substantial performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks. While both are built on a 12nm process, the architectural difference translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the HD 10. The HD 8 Plus will handle basic tasks adequately, but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified in the provided data. However, given the HD 10's larger size, it likely houses a larger battery. The HD 8 Plus's key advantage is wireless charging, offering convenience for users already invested in wireless charging ecosystems. While the HD 10 lacks wireless charging, its potentially larger battery capacity could translate to longer overall runtime, especially when considering the more power-hungry MT8183 chipset. Actual 0-100% charge times will depend on the charger used, but the HD 8 Plus will benefit from the convenience of simply placing it on a wireless charging pad.
Buying Guide
Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019) if you need a tablet for more than basic consumption – streaming, light gaming, or running multiple apps simultaneously. Its octa-core processor provides a noticeable performance boost. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2020) if you prioritize portability, wireless charging, and a more compact form factor for on-the-go use, accepting a trade-off in raw processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Fire HD 8 Plus (2020) struggle with streaming video services like Netflix or Disney+?
While the Fire HD 8 Plus (2020) can handle streaming, its quad-core processor may exhibit occasional buffering or lag, especially when multitasking. The Fire HD 10 (2019) with its octa-core processor will provide a smoother, more reliable streaming experience, particularly at higher resolutions.
❓ Is the performance difference between the MT8183 and MT8168 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and email?
For basic tasks like web browsing and email, the difference may not be immediately apparent. However, when opening multiple tabs, switching between apps, or loading complex web pages, the Fire HD 10 (2019)'s MT8183 will demonstrate a clear advantage in responsiveness and speed.
❓ Can either tablet be used for light gaming?
Both tablets can handle light gaming, but the Fire HD 10 (2019) is better suited for it. The MT8183's more powerful GPU will provide higher frame rates and smoother gameplay in less demanding titles. The HD 8 Plus may struggle with graphically intensive games.
