The budget tablet market is heating up! The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) and the Nokia T21 both 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 Nokia T21 edges out the Fire HD 8 Plus thanks to its more powerful processor, faster charging (including PD3.0), and cleaner Android experience. While the Fire HD 8 Plus boasts wireless charging and tight Amazon integration, the T21 offers better performance for everyday tasks and a more versatile software environment.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - US, LATAM |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 40, 66 - US, LATAM |
| EDGE | N/A | - |
| GPRS | N/A | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 21 | 2022, September 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 21 | Available. Released 2022, September 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 201.9 x 137.4 x 9.6 mm (7.95 x 5.41 x 0.38 in) | 247.5 x 157.3 x 7.5 mm (9.74 x 6.19 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 342 g (12.06 oz) | 466 g (1.03 lb) |
| | - | Splash resistant
Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~66.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~79.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 360 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8169A | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 2EE MC2 | Mali-G57 |
| OS | Android 11, Fire OS 8 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 8 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 | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (Wi-Fi/LTE model only / TA-1521) |
| Positioning | No | GPS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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, proximity |
| | Alexa natural language commands
Text-to-Speech English-language content reader | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired
10W wireless | 18W wired, PD3.0 |
| Talk time | Up to 13 h | - |
| Type | - | Li-Po 8200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Charcoal Grey |
| Models | KFRAPWI | TA-1495, TA-1521, TA-1505, TA-1487 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 240 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.56 W/kg (body) |
Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022)
- Wireless charging
- Tight Amazon ecosystem integration
- Affordable price
- Improved speakers compared to base model
- Limited app selection outside of Amazon Appstore
- Weaker processor
- Slower charging
- Fire OS can feel restrictive
Nokia T21
- More powerful processor
- Faster charging (PD3.0)
- Cleaner Android experience
- Expandable storage via microSD
- Slightly brighter display
- Less integrated ecosystem
- Design is somewhat bland
- Camera quality is average
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature 8-inch displays with a resolution of 1280 x 800. The Nokia T21's display is slightly brighter, offering better outdoor visibility. Color accuracy is decent on both, but don't expect flagship-level vibrancy. The Fire HD 8 Plus has a slightly higher pixel density, but the difference is minimal in real-world use.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department. Both feature front and rear cameras suitable for video calls and occasional snapshots. Image quality is mediocre in both cases, with limited dynamic range and noticeable noise. Don't rely on these tablets for serious photography.
Performance
Here's where the Nokia T21 shines. Its Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset, with its dual Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance boost over the Fire HD 8 Plus's Mediatek MT8169A. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the T21. The Fire HD 8 Plus is adequate for basic tasks, but struggles with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Nokia T21 has a larger battery (5000 mAh vs 4880 mAh in the Fire HD 8 Plus) and supports faster 18W PD3.0 charging. While both offer all-day battery life with moderate usage, the T21 charges significantly faster, a major convenience.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022)? Users deeply invested in the Amazon ecosystem, primarily consuming content from Prime Video, Kindle, and Audible. Who should buy the Nokia T21? Users seeking a more general-purpose Android tablet with better performance for browsing, light gaming, and productivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What operating system do these tablets use?
The Fire HD 8 Plus runs Fire OS, a customized version of Android heavily integrated with Amazon services. The Nokia T21 runs a near-stock version of Android, offering a cleaner and more versatile experience.
❓ Can I install Google Play Store apps on the Fire HD 8 Plus?
While possible, it's not officially supported and requires sideloading, which can be complex and may void your warranty. The Nokia T21 comes with Google Play Store pre-installed.
