The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor Pad X9 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 performance, display quality, and battery life to determine which tablet delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Honor Pad X9 emerges as the superior choice. Its more modern Snapdragon 685 chipset, coupled with a brighter display, provides a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience than the aging Helio P60T in the Fire HD 10 Plus. While the Fire HD 10 Plus offers wireless charging, the X9’s overall performance advantage is more impactful.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | - |
| 4G bands | LTE | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, July 06 | 2021, April 27. Released 2021, May 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, July 06 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back | - |
| Dimensions | 267.3 x 167.4 x 6.9 mm (10.52 x 6.59 x 0.27 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 | 495 g or 499 g (1.09 lb) | 468 g (1.03 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Aluminosilicate glass |
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~203 ppi density) | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.5 inches, 376.4 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 13, MagicOS 7.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 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 (6 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, 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 | 22.5W wired | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 7250 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Gray | Slate |
| Models | - | T76N2P |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 150 EUR |
Honor Pad X9
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 685
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- Longer battery life
- Lacks wireless charging
- May have limited software updates
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)
- Wireless charging convenience
- Deep integration with Amazon services
- Lower price point (potentially)
- Outdated and less powerful Helio P60T chipset
- Dimmer display
- Shorter battery life
Display Comparison
The Honor Pad X9 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 452 nits, compared to the Fire HD 10 Plus’s undisclosed brightness (estimated around 300 nits based on typical Fire HD 10 models). This makes the X9 more usable outdoors or in brightly lit environments. Furthermore, the X9’s 1603:1 contrast ratio suggests deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the X9’s superior brightness and contrast provide a more visually engaging experience. The Fire HD 10 Plus’s display is adequate for basic viewing, but falls short in terms of overall quality.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excels in the camera department, but a direct comparison is limited by the lack of detailed camera specs for both. However, given the focus on budget pricing, camera quality is not a primary strength. The Fire HD 10 Plus typically features a 5MP main camera, while the X9 likely has a similar resolution. Image quality will be acceptable for casual snapshots and video calls, but don't expect flagship-level performance. Focusing on the chipset's ISP capabilities, the Snapdragon 685 offers more advanced image processing potential, potentially resulting in slightly better photos from the X9.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Pad X9’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 (6nm) is a generation ahead of the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus’s MediaTek Helio P60T (12nm). The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 685 translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling, meaning sustained performance is higher. While both CPUs feature a similar core configuration (4x Cortex-A73 and 4x Cortex-A53), the Snapdragon 685’s higher clock speeds (2.8 GHz vs 2.0 GHz) and architectural improvements deliver a tangible performance boost in real-world usage. The X9 will handle multitasking and demanding apps with greater ease.
Battery Life
The Honor Pad X9 demonstrates superior battery endurance with an active use score of 13:17 hours. While the Fire HD 10 Plus’s battery capacity isn’t publicly available, its older, less efficient chipset (Helio P60T) and larger process node (12nm) suggest it will likely fall short of the X9’s longevity. The Fire HD 10 Plus does offer wireless charging, a convenience feature absent on the X9, but the X9’s 22.5W wired charging provides a reasonably fast recharge time. The X9’s combination of efficient chipset and solid battery life makes it the clear winner in this category.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Pad X9 if you prioritize a responsive user experience for everyday tasks, streaming, and light gaming. Its newer chipset and brighter screen make it ideal for those who want a tablet that feels fluid and looks good. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) if you are deeply embedded in the Amazon ecosystem, heavily utilize Amazon services, and value wireless charging convenience over raw performance. The Fire OS experience is tailored for Amazon content consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 685 in the Honor Pad X9 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Snapdragon 685 isn't a gaming powerhouse, it can run PUBG Mobile at medium settings with acceptable frame rates. Expect some occasional frame drops during intense action. The Fire HD 10 Plus’s Helio P60T will struggle more with demanding titles, requiring lower settings and potentially exhibiting more significant performance issues.
❓ How does Fire OS compare to standard Android on the Honor Pad X9?
Fire OS is a heavily customized version of Android, deeply integrated with Amazon's ecosystem. It lacks the Google Play Store and relies on the Amazon Appstore, which has a smaller app selection. The Honor Pad X9 runs a more standard version of Android, providing access to the full Google Play Store and a wider range of apps. This makes the X9 more versatile for users who aren't exclusively invested in Amazon services.
❓ Is the lack of wireless charging on the Honor Pad X9 a significant drawback?
For most users, the lack of wireless charging isn't a dealbreaker, especially considering the X9’s longer battery life. Wired charging with the included 22.5W adapter is relatively fast. Wireless charging is a convenience feature, but the performance benefits of the X9’s chipset outweigh this omission.
