The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, with options like the Honor Pad X7 and Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) vying for your attention. While both aim to deliver an affordable tablet experience, they take drastically different approaches to hardware and software. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which tablet best suits your needs, from casual streaming to everyday productivity.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing a smoother, more versatile Android experience and slightly better performance, the Honor Pad X7 emerges as the winner. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, offers a noticeable advantage over the Fire HD 10 Plus’s older 12nm MediaTek Helio P60T, despite the latter's wireless charging capability.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | - |
| 4G bands | N/A | - |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, July 24 | 2021, April 27. Released 2021, May 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, July 24 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 211.8 x 124.8 x 8 mm (8.34 x 4.91 x 0.31 in) | 247 x 166 x 9.2 mm (9.72 x 6.54 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 365 g (12.87 oz) | 468 g (1.03 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Aluminosilicate glass |
| Resolution | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (typ), 625 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 15, MagicOS 9 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | No | 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 | Li-Ion 7020 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Slate |
| Models | - | T76N2P |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 150 EUR |
Honor Pad X7
- More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Access to the Google Play Store and wider app compatibility
- Modern Android experience with greater customization options
- Slower 10W wired charging
- Lacks wireless charging
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)
- Wireless charging convenience
- Deep integration with Amazon services (Prime Video, Kindle)
- Lower initial cost (often on sale)
- Older and less efficient MediaTek Helio P60T chipset
- Limited app compatibility due to Fire OS
- More restrictive software experience
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly impressive display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, the core difference lies under the hood. While specific display specs are unavailable, the Honor Pad X7 benefits from the more modern chipset’s image signal processor, potentially leading to slightly better color reproduction. The Fire HD 10 Plus’s older chipset may struggle with more demanding display processing tasks. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are geared towards basic video calls and occasional snapshots. Given the context data, detailed camera analysis is limited. However, the Snapdragon 680’s ISP in the Honor Pad X7 likely offers superior image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in slightly better image quality in favorable lighting conditions. Expect both to struggle in low-light scenarios.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Honor Pad X7’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) is a clear upgrade over the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus’s MediaTek Helio P60T (12nm). The 6nm process node translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling, meaning the X7 should maintain performance for longer periods. The Snapdragon 680’s CPU architecture – a combination of Kryo 265 Gold and Silver cores – offers a more balanced performance profile than the Helio P60T’s Cortex-A73 and A53 configuration. While both are octa-core, the Snapdragon’s newer architecture provides a tangible advantage in multitasking and app responsiveness. The Fire HD 10 Plus’s older chipset will likely exhibit more noticeable lag when handling demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. While specific battery capacities are not provided, the Snapdragon 680’s 6nm efficiency gives the Honor Pad X7 an edge. The Fire HD 10 Plus compensates with wireless charging, a convenient feature absent on the X7. However, the slower 10W wired charging on the X7 is a drawback compared to the potentially faster charging speeds achievable with the Fire HD 10 Plus’s wireless charging, though the exact wattage is unknown. The efficiency of the Snapdragon 680 should translate to longer screen-on time for similar usage scenarios.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Pad X7 if you need a tablet capable of running a wider range of apps, benefit from Google Play Store access, and appreciate a more modern Android experience. It’s ideal for students, casual gamers, and those who want a tablet that feels less locked down. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) if you are deeply embedded in the Amazon ecosystem, primarily consume content from Amazon services (Prime Video, Kindle), and value wireless charging convenience over raw performance and app compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the MediaTek Helio P60T in the Fire HD 10 Plus struggle with multitasking or demanding apps?
Yes, the Helio P60T is an older chipset and will likely exhibit noticeable lag when running multiple apps simultaneously or playing graphically intensive games. The Snapdragon 680 in the Honor Pad X7 offers a significantly smoother experience for these tasks.
❓ How much does the Fire OS restrict app access compared to standard Android on the Honor Pad X7?
Fire OS is a heavily customized version of Android that prioritizes Amazon services. While you can sideload apps, it's not as straightforward as on the Honor Pad X7, which has full access to the Google Play Store and a wider range of compatible apps without modification.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Honor Pad X7 significantly slower than other tablets?
Yes, 10W charging is relatively slow compared to modern tablets that often support 18W or higher. Expect a longer charging time to reach 100% on the Honor Pad X7, but the Snapdragon 680’s efficiency may mitigate the impact by extending battery life between charges.
❓ Does the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus support streaming services other than Amazon Prime Video?
Yes, the Fire HD 10 Plus supports popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+, but the experience is often optimized for Amazon Prime Video, and you may encounter more promotional content for Amazon services.
