Looking for an affordable tablet for entertainment, browsing, or light productivity? The Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021) and Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) are popular contenders. But which one offers the best value for your money? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) generally edges out the Fire HD 10 due to its more powerful chipset (especially the Snapdragon model), slightly better display, and faster charging. However, the Fire HD 10's tight Amazon ecosystem integration and often lower price make it a compelling option for Amazon users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 26, 28, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat13 390/75 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 27. Released 2021, May 26 | 2022, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, May |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 247 x 166 x 9.2 mm (9.72 x 6.54 x 0.36 in) | 251.2 x 158.8 x 7.5 mm (9.89 x 6.25 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 465 g (1.03 lb) | 465 g (1.03 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Aluminosilicate glass | - |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~220 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.61 inches, 320.4 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) - LTE model Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) - Wi-Fi only model |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) - LTE model Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) - Wi-Fi only model |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 610 - LTE model Mali-G52 MC2 - Wi-Fi only model |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMCP/uMCP |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | 720p | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | FM Radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity, gyro |
| | Text-to-Speech English-language content reader | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 20W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion | Li-Po 7700 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Denim, Olive, Lavender | Storm Grey, Frost Blue |
| Models | T76N2B, KFTRWI, KFTRPWI | - |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 260 EUR |
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021)
- Affordable price
- Tight Amazon ecosystem integration
- Good for media consumption
- Decent battery life
- Expandable storage via microSD
- Less powerful chipset
- Limited app selection compared to Google Play Store
- Mediocre camera quality
- Basic design
Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen)
- More powerful chipset (especially Snapdragon model)
- Slightly better display
- Faster charging
- Google Play Store access
- More versatile Android experience
- Can be slightly more expensive
- Design is fairly basic
- Camera quality is still mediocre
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature 10.1-inch displays, but the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) boasts a slightly higher resolution (1920x1200 vs 1920x1200) and generally better color accuracy. The Fire HD 10's display is adequate, but the Lenovo's is noticeably sharper and more vibrant. Viewing angles are comparable.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department. Both feature front and rear cameras suitable for basic video calls and occasional snapshots. Image quality is mediocre in both cases, and low-light performance is poor. Don't expect to use these tablets for serious photography.
Performance
This is where the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) shines. The Snapdragon 680 (LTE model) offers significantly better performance than the Fire HD 10's Helio P60T. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and improved gaming performance on the Lenovo. The Wi-Fi only model with the Helio G80 is a closer competitor, but still generally outperforms the Fire HD 10.
Battery Life
The Fire HD 10 offers a respectable battery life, typically lasting around 10-12 hours of mixed usage. The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) provides similar battery life, though the faster charging (20W) gives it an advantage when it comes to topping up the battery.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021)? Users deeply invested in the Amazon ecosystem, those prioritizing affordability, and those primarily using the tablet for media consumption. Who should buy the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen)? Users seeking better performance for multitasking and gaming, a slightly more versatile Android experience, and faster charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I use Google Play Store on the Fire HD 10?
No, the Fire HD 10 uses the Amazon Appstore, which has a smaller selection of apps compared to Google Play Store. You can sideload some apps, but it's not officially supported.
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen), particularly the Snapdragon 680 model, is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and graphics.
