The tablet market offers a wide spectrum of choices, from budget-friendly media consumption devices to powerful productivity tools. The Huawei MatePad 11 (2021) and Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021) represent opposite ends of this spectrum, with the MatePad 11 aiming for a premium experience and the Fire HD 10 prioritizing affordability. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and a smoother overall experience, the Huawei MatePad 11 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 865 chipset delivers significantly more processing power than the Fire HD 10’s Helio P60T. However, the Fire HD 10 remains a compelling option for those on a tight budget primarily focused on media consumption.
| 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 | 2021, June 02 | 2021, April 27. Released 2021, May 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 13 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 253.8 x 165.3 x 7.3 mm (9.99 x 6.51 x 0.29 in) | 247 x 166 x 9.2 mm (9.72 x 6.54 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 485 g (1.07 lb) | 465 g (1.03 lb) |
| | Stylus support (magnetic) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Aluminosilicate glass |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~276 ppi density) | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.95 inches, 347.7 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 (7 nm+) | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | HarmonyOS 2.0, upgradable to 3.0 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, PDAF | 5 MP |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | 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 | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | 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 | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer |
| | - | Text-to-Speech English-language content reader |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired
5W reverse wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 7250 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Matte Gray | Black, Denim, Olive, Lavender |
| Models | DBY-W09 | T76N2B, KFTRWI, KFTRPWI |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1200:1 | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-21.1 LUFS (Excellent)
| - |
Huawei MatePad 11 (2021)
- Significantly faster processor for demanding tasks
- Brighter and higher contrast display for better viewing
- Faster charging speeds for quicker power-ups
- Higher price point
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021)
- Extremely affordable price
- Long battery life for basic usage
- Access to Amazon’s ecosystem and content
- Slow processor struggles with demanding apps
- Lower quality display with limited brightness
- Slower charging speeds
Display Comparison
The Huawei MatePad 11 boasts a significantly more refined display experience. While both tablets lack detailed panel specifications beyond resolution, the MatePad 11’s measured 497 nits of peak brightness surpasses what’s typically seen on the Fire HD 10. More importantly, the MatePad 11’s 1200:1 contrast ratio suggests a superior image quality with deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. The Fire HD 10, while adequate for basic viewing, will likely appear washed out in brighter environments. The absence of a high refresh rate on the Fire HD 10 further emphasizes the MatePad 11’s smoother visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet is designed for serious photography, but the MatePad 11 likely offers a more usable camera experience. Given the lack of detailed camera specs, we can infer that Huawei, with its camera expertise, would have implemented a more sophisticated image processing pipeline. The Fire HD 10’s camera is likely a basic sensor intended for video calls and quick snapshots. Focusing on camera quality is not a primary strength for either device.
Performance
The performance disparity between these tablets is substantial. The Huawei MatePad 11’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 (7nm+) is a flagship-level chipset from 2020, featuring an octa-core CPU with a prime Cortex-A77 core clocked at 2.84 GHz. This is a significant leap over the Amazon Fire HD 10’s MediaTek Helio P60T (12nm). The P60T, while capable for basic tasks, utilizes older Cortex-A73 and A53 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz. The 7nm manufacturing process of the Snapdragon 865 also provides better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads. This translates to a much smoother experience with demanding apps and games on the MatePad 11.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. The Fire HD 10 typically offers around 10-12 hours of mixed usage, while the MatePad 11, with its more powerful processor, will likely see a shorter runtime under similar conditions. However, the MatePad 11 supports 22.5W wired charging, significantly faster than the Fire HD 10’s charging speed. This faster charging can mitigate the potential for shorter battery life, allowing for quicker top-ups when needed. The MatePad 11 also offers 5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Fire HD 10.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei MatePad 11 (2021) if you need a tablet capable of handling demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or multitasking. Its superior processor and brighter display make it ideal for productivity and entertainment. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021) if you prefer a simple, affordable tablet primarily for streaming video, reading ebooks, and basic web browsing. It’s a great choice for families or casual users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 865 in the MatePad 11 handle demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 865 is capable of running Genshin Impact and other graphically intensive games, though you may need to adjust graphics settings for optimal performance. The Helio P60T in the Fire HD 10 will struggle significantly with such titles.
❓ Is the Amazon Fire HD 10 a good choice for reading ebooks?
The Fire HD 10 is well-suited for reading ebooks, thanks to its large screen and access to Amazon’s Kindle ecosystem. However, the lower brightness and contrast may be less comfortable for extended reading sessions in bright environments compared to the MatePad 11.
❓ Can I easily install Google Play Store on the Huawei MatePad 11?
Installing Google Play Store on the MatePad 11 requires some technical effort and isn't officially supported by Huawei. There are workarounds available online, but they may not be stable or reliable.
❓ How does the Fire HD 10's Fire OS compare to standard Android?
Fire OS is a heavily customized version of Android. It lacks Google Play Store and focuses heavily on Amazon’s services and content. This can be limiting for users accustomed to the standard Android experience.
