The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, offering options for streaming, reading, and light productivity. We pit the Cubot Tab 10, powered by a Unisoc processor, against the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) with its Mediatek Helio P60T to determine which provides the best experience for the price. This comparison focuses on real-world performance implications, not just raw specifications.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) is the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio P60T chipset, built on a smaller 12nm process, delivers noticeably smoother performance and benefits from wireless charging, a feature absent on the Cubot Tab 10. While the Cubot is cheaper, the performance trade-off is significant.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | - |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021 | 2021, April 27. Released 2021, May 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 243.5 x 164 x 8.8 mm (9.59 x 6.46 x 0.35 in) | 247 x 166 x 9.2 mm (9.72 x 6.54 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | No |
| Weight | 575 g (1.27 lb) | 468 g (1.03 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | 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 (~74.1% 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 (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 5 MP |
| Video | Yes | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | Yes | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | No |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| | - | Text-to-Speech English-language content reader |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Slate |
| Models | - | T76N2P |
| Price | - | About 150 EUR |
Cubot Tab 10
- Lower price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- Android OS (potentially more customization)
- Significantly slower performance
- No wireless charging
- Likely lower display quality
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)
- Faster and more responsive performance
- Wireless charging support
- Optimized for Amazon content
- Amazon’s Fire OS (limited app access)
- Higher price than Cubot Tab 10
- Heavier reliance on Amazon ecosystem
Display Comparison
Neither tablet boasts a particularly high-end display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, but detailed specs like brightness (nits) and color gamut coverage are unavailable. The Fire HD 10 Plus benefits from Amazon’s software optimizations for content consumption. The Cubot Tab 10’s display quality is likely more basic, focusing on cost reduction. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, typical for this price point.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is not a strong suit for either tablet. Given the price point, expect basic sensors. Detailed specs are unavailable, but it’s safe to assume both tablets feature low-resolution cameras primarily suitable for video calls. Image quality in less-than-ideal lighting will be poor on both devices. Focusing on camera performance when choosing between these two is not recommended.
Performance
This is where the most significant difference lies. The Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12nm) in the Fire HD 10 Plus is a clear upgrade over the Unisoc SC9863A (28nm) found in the Cubot Tab 10. The Helio P60T’s Cortex-A73 cores (2.0 GHz) offer substantially better single-core performance than the Cortex-A55 cores (1.6 GHz & 1.2 GHz) in the Unisoc chip. The 12nm fabrication process also contributes to better power efficiency and potentially less thermal throttling during sustained workloads. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive overall experience on the Fire HD 10 Plus. The Cubot Tab 10 will likely struggle with demanding applications and heavier multitasking.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Mediatek Helio P60T’s 12nm process in the Fire HD 10 Plus offers a power efficiency advantage. The inclusion of wireless charging on the Fire HD 10 Plus is a significant convenience feature, allowing for cable-free top-ups. While the Cubot Tab 10 likely offers comparable battery life for basic tasks, the Fire HD 10 Plus’s more efficient chipset and wireless charging provide a more versatile and user-friendly experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot Tab 10 if your primary need is a very affordable tablet for basic tasks like ebook reading and light web browsing, and you're willing to accept slower performance. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) if you prioritize a more responsive user experience, enjoy streaming video, and value the convenience of wireless charging. The Fire HD 10 Plus is also a better option for those invested in the Amazon ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Helio P60T in the Fire HD 10 Plus get hot during extended use, like gaming?
While the Helio P60T isn't a high-end gaming chip, its 12nm process and thermal design should prevent significant overheating during moderate gaming sessions. Expect some throttling after prolonged use, but it's unlikely to become uncomfortably hot. The Cubot Tab 10, with its less efficient Unisoc chip, is more likely to experience noticeable throttling.
❓ Can I easily install Google Play Store on the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus?
Yes, it's possible to sideload the Google Play Store onto the Fire HD 10 Plus, but it requires some technical knowledge and isn't officially supported by Amazon. There are numerous online guides detailing the process, but be aware that it may void your warranty and could introduce security risks.
❓ Is the Cubot Tab 10 a good choice for running multiple apps simultaneously?
The Cubot Tab 10's Unisoc SC9863A processor and limited RAM will likely struggle with multitasking. Running multiple apps simultaneously may result in noticeable lag and slowdowns. It's best suited for running one app at a time.
