The sub-$200 tablet market is fiercely competitive, offering a compelling entry point for casual users. The Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3 and Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) represent two of the strongest contenders, but cater to different priorities. The Lenovo offers a more standard Android experience, while the Fire HD 10 Plus prioritizes Amazon’s ecosystem and convenience features. This comparison dives deep into their hardware and software to determine which tablet delivers the best overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing a clean Android experience and broader app compatibility, the Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3 is the better choice. While the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) offers the convenience of wireless charging and deeper Amazon integration, its performance is slightly behind and its software is restrictive.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | - |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September | 2021, April 27. Released 2021, May 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 239.8 x 158.6 x 8.5 mm (9.44 x 6.24 x 0.33 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 | 460 g (1.01 lb) | 468 g (1.03 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Aluminosilicate glass |
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~77.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 320 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP2 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMCP or eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | Yes | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS - cellular model only | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, 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 | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer |
| | - | Text-to-Speech English-language content reader |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Storm Grey | Slate |
| Models | - | T76N2P |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 150 EUR |
Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3
- Clean Android experience with Google Play Store access
- Potentially more efficient CPU architecture (Cortex-A75)
- More versatile for general use cases
- Slower charging speed (10W wired)
- No wireless charging support
- Limited information on display quality
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)
- Wireless charging for added convenience
- Deep integration with Amazon’s ecosystem
- Hands-free Alexa voice control
- Restricted Fire OS with limited app compatibility
- Slightly older CPU architecture (Cortex-A73)
- Heavier reliance on Amazon services
Display Comparison
Both tablets utilize 12nm process technology, suggesting similar power efficiency considerations in display design. While specific display specs (resolution, brightness) are not provided, the Fire HD 10 Plus’s larger screen size likely impacts power draw. The lack of information on panel technology (IPS, TFT) makes a direct comparison difficult, but both are likely to offer adequate viewing angles for typical tablet use. The absence of high refresh rate support on either device suggests a focus on battery life over visual fluidity.
Camera Comparison
Given the budget nature of these tablets, camera performance isn’t a primary focus. Without detailed sensor information, it’s safe to assume both tablets feature modest camera systems suitable for basic video calls and casual snapshots. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests image quality will be limited in low-light conditions. Focusing on camera specs would be misleading without further data; the emphasis should be on the tablets’ core functionality, not photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset: the Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3 features the Unisoc T610, while the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) uses the MediaTek MT8183 Helio P60T. The Helio P60T boasts a slightly higher peak clock speed (2.0 GHz vs 1.8 GHz) on its Cortex-A73 cores, potentially offering a marginal performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks. However, the Unisoc T610’s Cortex-A75 cores are architecturally more efficient than the A73, potentially closing the gap. The Fire HD 10 Plus’s CPU configuration (4x A73, 4x A53) is also different from the Lenovo’s (2x A75, 6x A55), impacting multi-core performance characteristics. The lack of RAM specifications makes it difficult to assess multitasking capabilities, but both are likely to offer sufficient RAM for basic tablet functions.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, but the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) gains a significant advantage with its support for wireless charging. This adds convenience, especially for users who frequently use the tablet in a stationary location. The Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3 is limited to 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow compared to modern standards. While a larger battery capacity doesn’t automatically translate to longer battery life (software optimization plays a crucial role), the Fire HD 10 Plus’s wireless charging capability provides a flexibility the Lenovo lacks.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3 if you need a versatile tablet for general productivity, media consumption, and access to the full Google Play Store. It’s ideal for students, families, or anyone who wants a standard Android experience. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) if you are heavily invested in the Amazon ecosystem – Prime Video, Kindle, Alexa – and prioritize convenience features like wireless charging and hands-free voice control. It’s a strong option for dedicated media consumers within the Amazon world.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Fire OS on the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus limit my app choices compared to the Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3?
Yes, Fire OS is a heavily customized version of Android that lacks full Google Play Store support. While you can sideload apps, it’s not a seamless experience. The Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3 offers access to the full Google Play Store, providing a much wider range of app choices.
❓ Is the wireless charging on the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus significantly faster than wired charging on the Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3?
While wireless charging is convenient, it's generally slower than wired charging. The Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3's 10W wired charging is relatively slow, but it will likely still be faster than fully charging the Fire HD 10 Plus wirelessly. The primary benefit of wireless charging is the convenience of simply placing the tablet on a charging pad.
❓ How does the processor difference (Unisoc T610 vs Helio P60T) impact real-world performance for tasks like web browsing and video streaming?
For typical tasks like web browsing, video streaming, and light gaming, the performance difference between the Unisoc T610 and Helio P60T will be minimal. Both processors are capable of handling these tasks smoothly. The Helio P60T might offer a slight edge in more demanding applications, but the difference is unlikely to be noticeable for most users.
