The tablet market offers a wide spectrum of choices, from budget-friendly media consumption devices to performance-oriented productivity tools. This comparison pits the Huawei MediaPad M6 8.4, featuring Huawei’s flagship Kirin 980 chipset, against the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022), a more affordable option powered by a Mediatek MT8169A. We’ll dissect the key differences to help you determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and a more versatile Android experience, the Huawei MediaPad M6 8.4 is the clear winner. Its Kirin 980 chipset delivers significantly more processing power than the Mediatek MT8169A in the Fire HD 8 Plus, making it better suited for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications. However, the Fire HD 8 Plus remains a viable option for basic media consumption at a lower price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | - |
| 4G bands | LTE | - |
| EDGE | - | N/A |
| GPRS | - | N/A |
| 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 | 2022, September 21 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, September 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 206.4 x 125.2 x 7.4 mm (8.13 x 4.93 x 0.29 in) | 201.9 x 137.4 x 9.6 mm (7.95 x 5.41 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | No |
| Weight | 320 g (11.29 oz) | 342 g (12.06 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~359 ppi density) | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.4 inches, 204.6 cm2 (~79.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~66.9% 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) | Hexa-core (6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 980 (7 nm) | Mediatek MT8169A |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MP10 | Mali-G52 2EE MC2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 | Android 11, Fire OS 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 13 MP, PDAF | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | Tuned by Harman Kardon
| - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS - cellular model only | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer |
| | - | Alexa natural language commands
Text-to-Speech English-language content reader |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired
10W wireless |
| Talk time | - | Up to 13 h |
| Type | Li-Po 6100 mAh, non-removable | - |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Champagne Gold | Gray |
| Models | - | KFRAPWI |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 120 EUR |
Huawei MediaPad M6 8.4
- Significantly more powerful Kirin 980 chipset
- Likely superior display quality
- Potentially better build quality and materials
- Price is likely higher than the Fire HD 8 Plus
- Battery capacity is unknown
Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022)
- More affordable price point
- Wireless charging support
- Amazon ecosystem integration
- Less powerful Mediatek MT8169A chipset
- Basic camera performance
- Potentially lower build quality
Display Comparison
While specific display specs like brightness and color accuracy are unavailable for both devices, the MediaPad M6 8.4 likely benefits from Huawei’s display calibration expertise. The Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) is known for its 8-inch 1200 x 800 resolution display. The MediaPad M6 8.4’s panel, while similar in resolution, likely offers better viewing angles and color reproduction. Bezels are a common area of cost-cutting in the Fire HD line, so the MediaPad M6 8.4 likely has slimmer bezels, contributing to a more immersive experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for most users in this segment. Details on camera sensors are limited, but the MediaPad M6 8.4 likely features a more capable main sensor than the Fire HD 8 Plus. Amazon typically prioritizes cost savings in this area, so expect a basic camera experience on the Fire HD 8 Plus. Image processing capabilities will also favor the MediaPad M6 8.4 due to the Kirin 980’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor).
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Huawei MediaPad M6 8.4’s Kirin 980 (7nm) is a flagship-class SoC featuring an octa-core CPU with a mix of Cortex-A76 and A55 cores. This architecture provides a substantial performance advantage over the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus’s Mediatek MT8169A, a hexa-core processor comprised entirely of Cortex-A55 cores. The Kirin 980’s more advanced architecture and smaller manufacturing node (7nm vs. likely 12nm for the MT8169A) translate to significantly faster processing speeds and improved power efficiency. The MediaPad M6 8.4 will handle multitasking and graphically intensive games with far greater ease. RAM specifications are unknown for the MediaPad M6 8.4, but it likely features LPDDR4X, while the Fire HD 8 Plus uses LPDDR3, further widening the performance gap.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for the MediaPad M6 8.4, but the Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) offers a 6,000mAh battery with 15W wired charging and 10W wireless charging. While the Fire HD 8 Plus’s battery capacity is known, the Kirin 980’s superior power efficiency could allow the MediaPad M6 8.4 to achieve comparable or even better battery life despite potentially having a smaller capacity. The addition of 10W wireless charging on the Fire HD 8 Plus is a convenience feature not found on the MediaPad M6 8.4.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei MediaPad M6 8.4 if you need a tablet capable of handling demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or running multiple apps simultaneously. Its superior chipset and potentially higher build quality justify the higher price. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) if you primarily intend to use the tablet for streaming video, reading ebooks, and light web browsing, and are looking for the most affordable option within the 8-inch tablet category.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Kirin 980 in the MediaPad M6 8.4 handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile?
Yes, the Kirin 980 is a capable chipset that should handle PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings. Its octa-core CPU and dedicated GPU provide sufficient processing power for a smooth gaming experience, unlike the Mediatek MT8169A in the Fire HD 8 Plus which would struggle with these titles.
❓ Is the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) a good choice for someone who primarily streams video from services like Netflix and Prime Video?
The Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) is well-suited for streaming video, particularly from Amazon Prime Video due to its tight integration with the Amazon ecosystem. However, the MediaPad M6 8.4’s potentially superior display quality could offer a more enjoyable viewing experience, albeit at a higher price.
❓ Does the MediaPad M6 8.4 support Google Play Services, or am I limited to Huawei's AppGallery?
The MediaPad M6 8.4 originally shipped with Huawei’s AppGallery due to the US trade restrictions. However, users can sideload Google Play Services, though this process is not officially supported and may require some technical expertise. The Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) uses Amazon’s Appstore, which has a smaller selection of apps than Google Play.
