The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, offering options for casual users, students, and families. The Cubot Tab 40 and Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) both aim to deliver a functional tablet experience without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches – Cubot focusing on a more standard Android experience, while Amazon prioritizes its ecosystem and content services. This comparison dives deep into the hardware and software to determine which tablet offers the best overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing a cleaner Android experience and potentially better raw performance in demanding tasks, the Cubot Tab 40 emerges as the winner. Its Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset, with its newer Cortex-A75 cores, provides a slight edge. However, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) is a strong contender for those heavily invested in the Amazon ecosystem and appreciate the convenience of wireless charging.
| 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 | 2023, September 11 | 2021, April 27. Released 2021, May 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, September 18 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 247.3 x 157.1 x 7.7 mm (9.74 x 6.19 x 0.30 in) | 247 x 166 x 9.2 mm (9.72 x 6.54 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | No |
| Weight | 449 g (15.84 oz) | 468 g (1.03 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Aluminosilicate glass |
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~79.2% 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 (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | No |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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, gyro, compass | Accelerometer |
| | - | Text-to-Speech English-language content reader |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wireless |
| Type | 7000 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Slate |
| Models | - | T76N2P |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 150 EUR |
Cubot Tab 40
- Potentially better CPU performance with Unisoc T616
- Cleaner Android experience (likely)
- May offer more storage options
- Battery and charging specs unknown
- Brand recognition is lower than Amazon
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)
- Wireless charging support
- Tight integration with Amazon ecosystem
- Larger battery capacity (6100mAh)
- Fire OS is heavily customized
- Older CPU architecture (Helio P60T)
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. Both utilize 12nm chipsets, suggesting a focus on cost optimization over display prowess. While specific display specs (resolution, brightness) are missing for the Cubot Tab 40, the Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) features a 10.1-inch IPS LCD. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced panel technologies like LTPO on either tablet indicates they are geared towards content consumption rather than visually demanding applications. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both, typical of this price segment.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are positioned as budget devices, and camera quality is typically sacrificed. Details regarding camera sensors are scarce for the Cubot Tab 40. The Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) features a 5MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera. These resolutions are low, and image quality will likely be acceptable only in well-lit conditions. Expect limited detail and dynamic range. Focusing on the cameras for serious photography is not recommended with either device.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Cubot Tab 40’s Unisoc Tiger T616 features a more modern CPU architecture with 2x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts with the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)’s MediaTek MT8183 Helio P60T, which uses 4x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 cores and 4x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Cortex-A75 cores in the T616 generally offer better single-core performance than the A73, translating to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural advantage favors the Cubot Tab 40. RAM configurations are unknown for the Cubot Tab 40, but the Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) typically comes with 3GB or 4GB, which is adequate for basic tasks but may limit heavy multitasking.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details for the Cubot Tab 40 are unavailable. The Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) packs a 6100mAh battery. While the capacity is decent, the Helio P60T’s efficiency isn’t exceptional. The Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) supports 9W wired charging and, crucially, 5W wireless charging. This is a significant advantage for users who prefer the convenience of wireless power. Without knowing the Cubot Tab 40’s battery size and charging speed, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison, but the wireless charging capability of the Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) is a clear differentiator.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot Tab 40 if you need a tablet for general productivity, web browsing, and light gaming, and prefer a standard Android interface without Amazon’s Fire OS customizations. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) if you are a Prime member who heavily utilizes Amazon’s services like Prime Video, Kindle, and Audible, and value the convenience of wireless charging and a tightly integrated ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) have Google Play Store access?
No, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) does not come with the Google Play Store pre-installed. It uses Amazon’s Appstore, which has a smaller selection of apps. However, users can sideload the Play Store, but this requires technical knowledge and voids the warranty.
❓ How does the Unisoc Tiger T616 in the Cubot Tab 40 compare to the Helio P60T in gaming?
The Unisoc Tiger T616’s newer Cortex-A75 cores provide a performance advantage in CPU-bound tasks, which can translate to slightly better frame rates in less demanding games. However, both chipsets have a Mali GPU, and gaming performance will likely be similar for most titles at lower settings. Don't expect to play graphically intensive games at high settings on either tablet.
❓ Can I use a faster charger with the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) to speed up charging?
While the Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) supports 9W wired charging, it's unlikely that using a charger with higher wattage will significantly reduce charging time. The tablet's internal power management system will limit the charging rate to 9W. Using a higher wattage charger won't cause damage, but it won't provide a noticeable speed boost.
