The tablet market offers a wide range of options, but narrowing down the choices can be challenging. We pit the Huawei MatePad 10.8, powered by the flagship Kirin 990 chipset, against the more affordable Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) with its MediaTek Helio P60T. This comparison dives deep into the core differences, helping you determine which tablet best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and a more versatile Android experience, the Huawei MatePad 10.8 is the clear winner. Its Kirin 990 chipset offers significantly more processing power. However, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus provides excellent value for basic media consumption and benefits from the convenience of wireless charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | - |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 30. Released 2020, August 14 | 2021, April 27. Released 2021, May 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 257 x 170 x 7.2 mm (10.12 x 6.69 x 0.28 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 | 500 g (1.10 lb) | 468 g (1.03 lb) |
| | Stylus support | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Aluminosilicate glass |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~280 ppi density) | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.8 inches, 338.2 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 (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.09 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.86 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Kirin 990 (7 nm) | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MP16 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 10, EMUI 10.1, no Google Play Services | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, AF | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | Tuned by Harman Kardon | - |
| 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, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer |
| | - | Text-to-Speech English-language content reader |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 7500 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gold, Gray, Black | Slate |
| Models | SCMR-W09, SCMR-AL00 | T76N2P |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 150 EUR |
Huawei MatePad 10.8
- Significantly faster processor (Kirin 990)
- More efficient 7nm fabrication process
- Likely superior display quality
- Full Android experience with Google Play Store access
- Limited charging options (wired only)
- Potentially higher price
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)
- Wireless charging support
- Lower price point
- Amazon ecosystem integration
- Good for basic media consumption
- Slower processor (Helio P60T)
- Less efficient 12nm fabrication process
- Limited Android experience (Fire OS)
Display Comparison
While both tablets feature 10.8-inch displays, the specifics are absent in the provided data. However, given Huawei’s history with high-quality panels, the MatePad 10.8 likely boasts superior color accuracy and brightness. The Fire HD 10 Plus, being a budget option, likely utilizes a simpler IPS panel. The absence of refresh rate data suggests both operate at standard 60Hz. Bezels are a key differentiator, with Huawei typically prioritizing a more premium aesthetic.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited. Given the context, it's safe to assume neither tablet prioritizes photography. The MatePad 10.8 likely features a more capable main sensor, benefiting from Huawei’s image processing expertise. The Fire HD 10 Plus likely focuses on basic video conferencing capabilities. Without specific sensor information, a detailed comparison is impossible, but the MatePad 10.8 is expected to deliver superior image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. Huawei’s Kirin 990 (7nm) is a significantly more powerful processor than the MediaTek Helio P60T (12nm). The Kirin 990’s octa-core configuration, featuring two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.86 GHz, provides a substantial advantage in CPU-intensive tasks. The Helio P60T, while an octa-core processor, utilizes older Cortex-A73 and A53 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, resulting in lower single-core and multi-core performance. The 7nm fabrication process of the Kirin 990 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the MatePad 10.8.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified. However, the charging capabilities differ significantly. The Huawei MatePad 10.8 supports 18W wired charging, while the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus offers wireless charging. Wireless charging provides convenience, but typically charges slower than wired solutions. The Kirin 990’s superior power efficiency may offset a potentially smaller battery capacity in the MatePad 10.8, offering comparable or even better battery life in real-world usage, especially during demanding tasks. The Fire HD 10 Plus may offer longer standby times due to its less power-hungry processor.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei MatePad 10.8 if you need a tablet capable of handling demanding tasks like video editing, multitasking, or gaming, and require a full-fledged Android experience with access to the Google Play Store. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) if you primarily consume media, read ebooks, and prefer a tightly integrated Amazon ecosystem, and value wireless charging and a lower price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio P60T in the Fire HD 10 Plus struggle with multitasking or demanding apps?
Yes, the MediaTek Helio P60T is a budget-oriented processor. While suitable for basic tasks like web browsing and video playback, it will likely exhibit lag and slowdowns when running multiple apps simultaneously or playing graphically intensive games. The Kirin 990 in the MatePad 10.8 handles these tasks with significantly more ease.
❓ Does the lack of Google Play Store on the Fire HD 10 Plus limit app availability?
Yes, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus runs Fire OS, which is based on Android but lacks direct access to the Google Play Store. Instead, it relies on the Amazon Appstore, which has a smaller selection of apps. While many popular apps are available, you may find some apps are missing or require sideloading.
❓ How does the 7nm process of the Kirin 990 benefit the Huawei MatePad 10.8?
The 7nm fabrication process allows for a higher transistor density and improved power efficiency compared to the 12nm process used in the Helio P60T. This means the Kirin 990 generates less heat for the same level of performance, reducing the likelihood of thermal throttling and allowing for sustained performance during demanding tasks.
