The sub-$200 tablet market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor Pad 6 and Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) represent two compelling options. While both aim to deliver an affordable tablet experience, they diverge significantly in their software approach and underlying hardware. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to help you determine which best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing a standard Android experience and slightly better CPU architecture, the Honor Pad 6 is the better choice. However, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) offers the convenience of wireless charging and a more established ecosystem for media consumption, making it ideal for Amazon Prime subscribers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 2100 | - |
| 4G bands | LTE | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 17. Released 2020, July 28 | 2021, April 27. Released 2021, May 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 240.2 x 159 x 7.6 mm (9.46 x 6.26 x 0.30 in) | 247 x 166 x 9.2 mm (9.72 x 6.54 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | No |
| Weight | 460 g (1.01 lb) | 468 g (1.03 lb) |
| | Stylus support | - |
| 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 (~77.4% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 3.1, no Google Play Services | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, AF | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.4 | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS - cellular model only | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| 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 Direct | 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 | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Gray | Slate |
| Models | AGS3-W09, AGS3-AL09 | T76N2P |
| Price | - | About 150 EUR |
Honor Pad 6
- Full Android OS with Google Play Store access
- Slightly more efficient CPU architecture (Kirin 710A)
- Potentially lower price point
- Slower 10W wired charging only
- Less established ecosystem compared to Amazon
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)
- Wireless charging for added convenience
- More efficient 12nm chipset (Helio P60T)
- Seamless integration with Amazon services
- Fire OS is a heavily customized Android experience
- Limited app availability outside the Amazon Appstore
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly impressive display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, given their price point. The key difference lies in the chipsets powering them. While neither manufacturer specifies display brightness, the Fire HD 10 Plus’s larger screen size (10.1 inches vs. the Pad 6’s 10.1 inches) may necessitate slightly higher brightness to maintain visibility. Color accuracy is expected to be standard for this segment, prioritizing cost over color calibration. Bezels are likely comparable, being relatively substantial on both devices to maintain affordability.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are equipped with basic camera setups primarily intended for video calls. Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but given the price bracket, image quality will be adequate in well-lit conditions but suffer in low light. Focusing on camera specs would be a misdirection; these tablets are not designed for photography.
Performance
The performance gap between these tablets centers on their chipsets. The Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) utilizes the Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T, fabricated on a more efficient 12nm process compared to the Honor Pad 6’s Kirin 710A (14nm). While both CPUs feature the same core configuration – four Cortex-A73 cores at 2.0 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.0 GHz (Fire) vs 1.7 GHz (Honor) – the 12nm process gives the Helio P60T a slight edge in power efficiency and potentially sustained performance. The Honor Pad 6’s Kirin 710A, while still capable, will likely exhibit more thermal throttling under prolonged heavy loads. Neither device is a gaming powerhouse, but the Fire HD 10 Plus should handle casual games and multitasking slightly better.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. While specific battery capacities are not provided, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) gains a significant advantage with its support for wireless charging. This adds convenience, especially for users who frequently use the tablet in a stationary location. The Honor Pad 6 is limited to 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow. The more efficient 12nm process of the Helio P60T in the Fire HD 10 Plus may also contribute to slightly longer battery life during typical use, offsetting any potential capacity differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Pad 6 if you need a tablet running a full-fledged Android OS with Google Play Store access for maximum app compatibility and customization. It’s a solid choice for students or anyone needing a versatile tablet for productivity and entertainment. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) if you are heavily invested in the Amazon ecosystem, frequently consume Amazon Prime Video, and value the convenience of wireless charging, even if it means sacrificing the openness of Android.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) have access to all Android apps?
No, the Fire HD 10 Plus runs Fire OS, a heavily customized version of Android. While it can access a curated selection of apps through the Amazon Appstore, it does not have direct access to the full Google Play Store. Sideloading is possible, but requires technical expertise and may not be seamless.
❓ Is the Kirin 710A in the Honor Pad 6 powerful enough for multitasking?
The Kirin 710A is capable of handling basic multitasking, such as browsing the web, checking email, and using social media apps simultaneously. However, it may struggle with more demanding tasks like running multiple resource-intensive apps or playing graphically intensive games. The 14nm process may lead to some performance throttling under sustained load.
❓ Can I use Google services like Gmail and YouTube on the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus?
Yes, you can use Google services on the Fire HD 10 Plus, but you'll need to sideload the apps or access them through a web browser. Amazon provides instructions for installing the Google Appstore, which then allows access to Gmail, YouTube, and other Google apps.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the Honor Pad 6?
With its 10W wired charging, the Honor Pad 6 will likely take several hours (approximately 3-5 hours) to fully charge from 0% to 100%, depending on the battery capacity. This is significantly slower than the Fire HD 10 Plus's wireless charging option.
