The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor Pad X8 and Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) represent compelling options for users seeking affordable entertainment and productivity. This comparison dives deep into their specifications, focusing on the core differences in processing power, battery life, and overall user experience to determine which tablet offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing a more versatile Android experience and slightly better raw processing power, the Honor Pad X8 emerges as the winner. However, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) offers the convenience of wireless charging and a tightly integrated Amazon ecosystem, making it ideal for Prime subscribers.
| 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 | 2022, September 17 | 2021, April 27. Released 2021, May 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 22 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| 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 | No | No |
| Weight | 460 g (1.01 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 (~77.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT 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 | MediaTek MT8786 | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 4 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | - | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | 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, GLONASS, BDS | 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 | - | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue, Light Blue | Slate |
| Models | AGM3-W09HN | T76N2P |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 150 EUR |
Honor Pad X8
- More modern CPU architecture (Cortex-A75)
- Full Android experience with Google Play Store access
- Potentially better thermal management
- No wireless charging
- Display specifications are not exceptional
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)
- Wireless charging for added convenience
- Tight integration with Amazon ecosystem
- Competitive price point
- Older CPU architecture (Cortex-A73)
- Fire OS is a limited Android experience
- Potentially more thermal throttling
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly high-end display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The key difference lies under the hood. While neither manufacturer specifies peak brightness, the Honor Pad X8’s newer chipset *could* allow for more efficient display power delivery, potentially resulting in slightly better brightness. The Fire HD 10 Plus’s display is known to be adequate for indoor viewing, but may struggle in direct sunlight. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget positioning. Color accuracy is unlikely to be a strong point on either, geared towards general consumption rather than color-critical work.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are equipped with cameras primarily intended for video calls rather than photography. Detailed sensor information is unavailable, but given the price point, expectations should be tempered. Image quality will likely be acceptable in well-lit conditions, but suffer in low light. Focusing on megapixel counts would be misleading; image processing and sensor size are far more critical, and neither manufacturer provides sufficient detail in these areas.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Honor Pad X8’s MediaTek MT8786, featuring 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, represents a more modern CPU architecture than the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus’s MediaTek MT8183 Helio P60T (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53). The Cortex-A75 cores in the X8 offer a substantial IPC (Instructions Per Clock) improvement over the A73 cores in the Fire HD 10 Plus, translating to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. The 12nm process node of the Helio P60T is also less efficient than what the MT8786 likely uses, potentially leading to more thermal throttling under sustained load. While both have 8 cores, the architectural advantage favors the Honor Pad X8.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. While specific mAh capacities are not provided, both tablets are likely to offer all-day battery life with moderate use (streaming video, browsing the web). The Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) gains an advantage with its inclusion of wireless charging, offering a convenient alternative to traditional wired charging. However, wireless charging is typically slower than wired charging, so a full charge will take longer. The Honor Pad X8 will likely rely solely on wired charging, potentially offering faster charging speeds if it supports a higher wattage adapter (not specified).
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Pad X8 if you need a tablet running full Android with access to the Google Play Store, and value a more modern CPU architecture for smoother multitasking and app performance. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) if you are heavily invested in the Amazon ecosystem, frequently stream content from Prime Video, and appreciate the convenience of wireless charging, even if it means a less flexible operating system.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the MediaTek MT8786 in the Honor Pad X8 handle demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the MT8786 is a step up from the Helio P60T, Genshin Impact is a very demanding game. Expect to play at lower graphics settings and potentially experience some frame rate drops, especially during intense combat sequences. It's playable, but not an ideal gaming experience.
❓ Can I sideload apps onto the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) to get access to the Google Play Store?
Yes, it is possible to sideload the Google Play Store onto the Fire HD 10 Plus, but it's a somewhat involved process and not officially supported by Amazon. It requires enabling developer mode and downloading the Play Store APK. Performance may be inconsistent, and updates can be problematic.
❓ How much storage does each tablet offer, and is it expandable?
Storage configurations vary, but both tablets typically offer options ranging from 32GB to 64GB. Crucially, both devices support microSD card expansion, allowing you to add up to 1TB of additional storage for media and apps.
❓ Is the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) heavily laden with Amazon bloatware?
Yes, the Fire HD 10 Plus comes pre-installed with a significant amount of Amazon apps and services. While some users may find these useful, others may consider them bloatware. Fortunately, many of these apps can be disabled, but not completely uninstalled.
