The sub-$200 tablet market is fiercely competitive, offering options for casual users, students, and families. We pit the recently released itel Pad One against the well-established Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) to determine which provides the best blend of performance, features, and value. This isn't about flagship specs; it's about maximizing utility within a tight budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) emerges as the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio P60T chipset offers a significant performance advantage over the itel Pad One’s Unisoc SC9863A1, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. The addition of wireless charging is a convenience the itel Pad One lacks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | - | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 2100 | - |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | - |
| Technology | HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2021, April 27. Released 2021, May 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 241.4 x 160.2 x 8.2 mm (9.50 x 6.31 x 0.32 in) | 247 x 166 x 9.2 mm (9.72 x 6.54 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | No |
| Weight | - | 468 g (1.03 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Aluminosilicate glass |
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~149 ppi density) | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~76.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm) | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP, (wide), AF | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | No |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| | - | Text-to-Speech English-language content reader |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | Wireless |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Light Blue, Deep Grey | Slate |
| Models | - | T76N2P |
| Price | - | About 150 EUR |
itel Pad One
- Extremely affordable price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- Lightweight and portable
- Weak processor performance
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited app ecosystem (Android Go)
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)
- More powerful Mediatek Helio P60T chipset
- Wireless charging convenience
- Access to Amazon’s app store and services
- Amazon’s Fire OS is heavily customized
- Limited Google Play Store access (requires sideloading)
- Can feel slightly bloated with Amazon apps
Display Comparison
Neither tablet boasts a particularly impressive display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, but detailed specs like resolution and peak brightness are unavailable for the itel Pad One. The Fire HD 10 Plus’s 10.1-inch display benefits from a slightly larger size, which is preferable for media consumption. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced features like LTPO on either device is expected at this price point, focusing instead on basic functionality.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is not a strength for either device, and detailed specs are scarce. Both tablets likely feature basic camera setups primarily intended for video calls. Focusing on megapixel counts would be misleading; image processing and sensor size are more important, and data on these is unavailable. Given the price point, neither tablet should be considered for serious photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus’s Mediatek Helio P60T, fabricated on a 12nm process, significantly outperforms the itel Pad One’s Unisoc SC9863A1 (22nm). The Helio P60T’s Cortex-A73 cores (2.0 GHz) are architecturally superior to the Cortex-A55 cores (1.6 GHz & 1.2 GHz) in the itel Pad One, resulting in faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. While both are octa-core, the architectural differences are crucial. The Fire HD 10 Plus will handle more demanding apps and games with greater ease. The itel Pad One will likely struggle with resource-intensive tasks.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. While specific mAh ratings are not provided, the itel Pad One’s 10W wired charging is significantly slower than the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus’s wireless charging capability. Wireless charging offers convenience, even if it’s not the fastest method. The more efficient Mediatek Helio P60T in the Fire HD 10 Plus may also contribute to slightly better battery endurance under similar workloads, offsetting any potential capacity differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the itel Pad One if you prioritize extreme affordability and a basic tablet experience for simple tasks like web browsing and light video consumption. It’s a viable option for users on a very strict budget. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) if you value performance, a more versatile app ecosystem (despite Amazon’s customizations), and the convenience of wireless charging. It’s better suited for streaming, gaming, and general productivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Unisoc SC9863A1 chip in the itel Pad One struggle with multitasking?
Yes, the Unisoc SC9863A1 is a low-end chipset. While it can handle basic tasks like web browsing and video playback, it will likely exhibit noticeable lag and slowdown when running multiple apps simultaneously or switching between them frequently. It's best suited for single-app usage.
❓ Can I easily install Google Play Store on the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus?
Installing the Google Play Store on the Fire HD 10 Plus requires sideloading, which is a process that involves enabling developer mode and installing a third-party app store. It's not officially supported by Amazon and requires some technical knowledge, but it is achievable and significantly expands the app ecosystem.
❓ How does the Amazon Fire OS affect the user experience?
Amazon Fire OS is a heavily customized version of Android. It prioritizes Amazon’s services, such as Amazon Prime Video and the Amazon Appstore. This means you’ll encounter more Amazon branding and recommendations. While functional, it differs significantly from stock Android and may not appeal to users who prefer a cleaner interface.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the itel Pad One noticeably slow?
Yes, 10W charging is quite slow by modern standards. Expect a full charge to take several hours. This is a significant drawback compared to the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus’s wireless charging, which, while not the fastest, offers more convenience.
