The budget tablet market is heating up! Both the Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021) and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 (2021) offer compelling features at affordable prices. But which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Tab A8 offers a more versatile Android experience with broader app compatibility and a cleaner interface. However, the Fire HD 10 shines with its tight integration into the Amazon ecosystem and excellent value for media consumption, especially for Prime members. It's a close call, depending on your priorities.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 27. Released 2021, May 26 | 2021, December 15 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, January 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 247 x 166 x 9.2 mm (9.72 x 6.54 x 0.36 in) | 246.8 x 161.9 x 6.9 mm (9.72 x 6.37 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 465 g (1.03 lb) | 508 g (1.12 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Aluminosilicate glass | - |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.5 inches, 319.7 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Mali G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| 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, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Text-to-Speech English-language content reader | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion | Li-Po 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Denim, Olive, Lavender | Gray, Silver, Pink Gold |
| Models | T76N2B, KFTRWI, KFTRPWI | SM-X200, SM-X205 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021)
- Excellent value for money
- Tight Amazon ecosystem integration
- Good for media consumption (Prime Video, Kindle)
- Decent battery life
- Limited app selection (Amazon Appstore)
- Less powerful processor
- Basic camera quality
- Fire OS can feel restrictive
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021)
- Full Android experience with Google Play Store
- Better performance than Fire HD 10
- Slightly better display quality
- Clean and user-friendly interface
- Slower charging (15W)
- Mediocre camera quality
- Can be slightly more expensive than Fire HD 10
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature 10.1-inch displays, but the Galaxy Tab A8 boasts a slightly higher resolution (1920 x 1200 vs 1920 x 1200 on the Fire HD 10). The Tab A8's display also tends to have better color accuracy. The Fire HD 10's display is adequate for media consumption but lacks the vibrancy of the Tab A8.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department. The Galaxy Tab A8 has slightly better front and rear cameras, but image quality remains mediocre on both devices. Don't expect to use these tablets for serious photography.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8, despite having a Unisoc chipset, generally offers smoother performance thanks to its Cortex-A75 cores. The Fire HD 10's Helio P60T is decent for basic tasks but can struggle with more demanding apps or multitasking. The Tab A8's CPU architecture gives it an edge.
Battery Life
The Fire HD 10 typically offers slightly longer battery life, around 12-13 hours of mixed usage, while the Tab A8 clocks in around 10-11 hours. However, both are adequate for a full day of light to moderate use.
Buying Guide
The Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021) is ideal for families and individuals heavily invested in the Amazon ecosystem, primarily using the tablet for streaming video, reading ebooks, and accessing Amazon services. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 10.5 (2021) is a better choice for those seeking a more standard Android tablet experience with access to the Google Play Store and a wider range of apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I install Google Play Store on the Fire HD 10?
While possible, installing the Google Play Store on the Fire HD 10 is a complex process and not officially supported by Amazon. It can void your warranty and may introduce instability.
❓ Which tablet is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is generally better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and access to a wider range of games through the Google Play Store. The Fire HD 10 can handle casual games, but struggles with more demanding titles.
