The tablet market offers a wide spectrum of choices, but narrowing down options at the ~$200-300 price point requires careful consideration. We pit the Huawei MediaPad M6 10.8, powered by the flagship-class Kirin 980, against the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021), featuring the Mediatek Helio P60T. This comparison isn't just about specs; it's about understanding which tablet delivers the best experience for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and a more versatile Android experience, the Huawei MediaPad M6 10.8 is the clear winner. Its Kirin 980 chipset offers a significant performance advantage over the Helio P60T in the Fire HD 10 Plus. However, the Fire HD 10 Plus’s wireless charging and lower price point make it a compelling option for casual users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | - |
| 4G bands | LTE | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/75 Mbps - cellular model only | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, June. Released 2019, July 10 | 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 | 498 g (1.10 lb) | 468 g (1.03 lb) |
| | Stylus support | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Aluminosilicate glass |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 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 (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Kirin 980 (7 nm) | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MP10 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 13 MP, PDAF | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | Tuned by Harman Kardon
| - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, 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, 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 | - | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 7500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Champagne Gold | Slate |
| Models | SCM-AL09, SCM-W09 | T76N2P |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 150 EUR |
Huawei MediaPad M6 10.8
- Significantly more powerful Kirin 980 processor
- Potentially better display quality
- More versatile Android experience (depending on region)
- Lacks wireless charging
- Potentially higher price
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)
- Wireless charging support
- Lower price point
- Amazon ecosystem integration
- Less powerful Helio P60T processor
- Potentially lower display quality
- Amazon’s Fire OS (limited app access)
Display Comparison
While both tablets feature 10.8-inch displays, detailed display specs are missing. However, given Huawei’s history with high-quality panels, the MediaPad M6 10.8 likely boasts superior color accuracy and brightness compared to the Fire HD 10 Plus. The Fire HD 10 Plus’s display is likely optimized for viewing angles and cost-effectiveness, rather than color fidelity. Bezels are expected to be similar, reflecting the price bracket. The absence of information on refresh rates suggests both are standard 60Hz panels.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely a secondary consideration for both devices. Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but given the target market, image quality will likely be adequate for casual snapshots. The MediaPad M6 10.8 may have a slight edge due to Huawei’s image processing expertise, but the difference will be minimal. We can expect both tablets to feature basic camera setups suitable for video calls and occasional photos.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Huawei MediaPad M6 10.8’s Kirin 980 (7nm) is a significant leap ahead of the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus’s Mediatek Helio P60T (12nm). The Kirin 980’s architecture – Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x1.92 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) – features more powerful Cortex-A76 cores, resulting in faster processing speeds and improved multi-tasking capabilities. The Helio P60T’s (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) older Cortex-A73 cores are less efficient and offer lower peak performance. The 7nm process node of the Kirin 980 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. RAM specifications are unknown, but the Kirin 980 benefits from faster memory bandwidth.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is unknown for both devices. However, the Helio P60T’s 12nm process is less efficient than the Kirin 980’s 7nm process. This means the Fire HD 10 Plus will likely need a larger battery to achieve comparable battery life. The Fire HD 10 Plus offers wireless charging, a convenience the MediaPad M6 10.8 lacks. Charging wattage is also unknown, but the wireless charging capability on the Fire HD 10 Plus suggests a slower overall charging speed compared to a potentially faster wired charging solution on the MediaPad M6 10.8.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei MediaPad M6 10.8 if you need a tablet capable of handling demanding tasks like video editing, multitasking, or gaming. Its superior processor and potentially better software experience (depending on region and availability) justify the investment. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) if you prefer a budget-friendly option primarily for media consumption, reading, and light web browsing, and value the convenience of wireless charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio P60T in the Fire HD 10 Plus struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Mediatek Helio P60T is not designed for graphically intensive games. While it can handle less demanding titles, Genshin Impact and similar games will likely experience significant frame rate drops and lag, even on the lowest settings. The Kirin 980 in the MediaPad M6 10.8 offers a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ How does Amazon’s Fire OS compare to standard Android on the Huawei MediaPad M6 10.8?
Amazon’s Fire OS is a heavily customized version of Android. It prioritizes Amazon’s services and content, and lacks full access to the Google Play Store. While you can sideload apps, it’s not as seamless as the experience on the Huawei MediaPad M6 10.8, which likely offers a more standard Android experience (depending on region and Google Mobile Services availability).
❓ Is the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) on the Huawei MediaPad M6 10.8 a significant drawback?
The availability of GMS varies by region. If the MediaPad M6 10.8 you are considering does *not* have GMS, you will need to rely on Huawei’s AppGallery and sideloading apps, which can be less convenient than using the Google Play Store. This is a crucial factor to consider based on your location.
