The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, with options like the Blackview Tab 12 and Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) vying for attention. While both aim to deliver an affordable tablet experience, they take drastically different approaches to hardware and software. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and a standard Android experience, the Blackview Tab 12 emerges as the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio P60T chipset, built on a smaller 12nm process, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Blackview Tab 12’s Unisoc SC9863A, despite the latter’s lower price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | - |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 40 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 15 | 2021, April 27. Released 2021, May 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 31 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 238.5 x 157.5 x 7.4 mm (9.39 x 6.20 x 0.29 in) | 247 x 166 x 9.2 mm (9.72 x 6.54 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | No |
| Weight | 430 g (15.17 oz) | 468 g (1.03 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Asahi Glass | Aluminosilicate glass |
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~78.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP |
| Video | 1440p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 2 MP |
| Video | Yes | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | No |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | 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 |
| | - | Text-to-Speech English-language content reader |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | Wireless |
| Type | 6580 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue, Silver | Slate |
| Models | - | T76N2P |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 150 EUR |
Blackview Tab 12
- More affordable price point.
- Standard Android OS offers greater customization.
- Potentially wider app compatibility.
- Less powerful processor.
- Slower charging speed (10W wired only).
- Larger 28nm process may lead to lower efficiency.
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)
- More powerful Mediatek Helio P60T chipset.
- Wireless charging for added convenience.
- 12nm process offers better efficiency.
- Fire OS is heavily tied to Amazon’s ecosystem.
- Limited customization options.
- Higher price compared to Blackview Tab 12.
Display Comparison
Neither tablet boasts a particularly high-end display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, the core difference lies in the processing power driving them. Display specs beyond panel type are unavailable, so we must infer. The Fire HD 10 Plus’s slightly higher price suggests a potentially brighter panel, but without nit measurements, this remains speculative. Bezels are likely comparable, reflecting the budget nature of both devices. Color accuracy is unlikely to be a strong suit on either.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are likely equipped with basic sensors suitable for casual snapshots. Given the context data, detailed analysis is limited. We can assume both will struggle in low-light conditions. The absence of specific sensor details suggests neither prioritizes photography.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) is powered by the Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T, a 12nm chipset featuring four Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores. This architecture provides a substantial uplift in CPU performance compared to the Blackview Tab 12’s Unisoc SC9863A. The Unisoc chip, built on a larger 28nm process, utilizes four Cortex-A55 cores at 1.6 GHz and another four at 1.2 GHz. The 12nm node of the Helio P60T translates to better power efficiency and sustained performance, reducing the likelihood of throttling during extended use. This benefits users engaging in gaming or multitasking.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device, making a direct comparison difficult. However, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) offers the convenience of wireless charging, a feature absent on the Blackview Tab 12. The Blackview Tab 12 relies on slower 10W wired charging. While wireless charging isn’t necessarily faster, it adds a layer of convenience. The more efficient Helio P60T in the Fire HD 10 Plus may also contribute to longer battery life, offsetting any potential capacity differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the Blackview Tab 12 if you need a tablet for basic productivity, media consumption, and prefer the flexibility of the Android operating system without Amazon’s ecosystem lock-in. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) if you are deeply invested in Amazon’s services – Prime Video, Kindle, Alexa – and prioritize wireless charging convenience over peak performance and a fully open OS.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Fire OS on the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus limit app availability compared to standard Android?
Yes, Fire OS is a heavily customized version of Android and relies on the Amazon Appstore. While many popular apps are available, you may encounter limitations with apps not specifically optimized for Fire OS or those requiring Google Play Services, which are not pre-installed.
❓ Is the Unisoc SC9863A in the Blackview Tab 12 powerful enough for light gaming?
The Unisoc SC9863A can handle basic 2D games and less demanding 3D titles. However, expect lower frame rates and potential stuttering in more graphically intensive games. The Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus’s Helio P60T will provide a smoother gaming experience overall.
❓ Can I sideload apps onto the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus to access apps not available in the Amazon Appstore?
Yes, it is possible to sideload apps onto the Fire HD 10 Plus, but it requires enabling developer options and manually installing APK files. This process is not officially supported by Amazon and may void your warranty. It also requires some technical knowledge.
❓ How does the lack of Google Play Services affect the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus?
The absence of Google Play Services means apps relying on these services (like Google Maps, Gmail, and many games) may not function correctly or at all. While Amazon provides alternatives, they may not offer the same features or integration.
