The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, and the Oppo Pad Air and Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) represent compelling options for users seeking affordable entertainment and productivity. This comparison dives deep into their specifications, performance, and features to determine which tablet delivers the most bang for your buck, focusing on the core differences in chipset architecture and display quality.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Oppo Pad Air emerges as the superior choice. Its more modern Snapdragon 680 chipset, built on a 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage and better efficiency compared to the Fire HD 10 Plus’s older 12nm Helio P60T. While the Fire HD 10 Plus offers wireless charging, the Pad Air’s brighter display and faster charging make it a more versatile device.
| 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 | 2022, May 23 | 2021, April 27. Released 2021, May 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 01 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 245.1 x 154.8 x 6.9 mm (9.65 x 6.09 x 0.27 in) | 247 x 166 x 9.2 mm (9.72 x 6.54 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 440 g (15.52 oz) | 468 g (1.03 lb) |
| | Stylus support | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Aluminosilicate glass |
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~225 ppi density) | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.36 inches, 305.5 cm2 (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 360 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 12, ColorOS 12 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 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 |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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, gyro, compass | Accelerometer |
| | - | Text-to-Speech English-language content reader |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, PD
5W reverse wired | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 7100 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Silver | Slate |
| Models | OPD2102, X21N2 | T76N2P |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1391:1 | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-28.3 LUFS (Average)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 249272 (v9)
GeekBench: 1661 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Oppo Pad Air
- More powerful Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- Faster 18W PD charging with reverse wired charging
- May require purchasing accessories (keyboard, stylus) separately
- Android tablet ecosystem can be fragmented
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)
- Wireless charging convenience
- Deep integration with Amazon services
- Generally lower price point
- Older and less efficient Helio P60T chipset
- Dimmer display
- Limited app ecosystem outside of Amazon
Display Comparison
The Oppo Pad Air boasts a display capable of reaching 352 nits of peak brightness, a significant advantage over the Fire HD 10 Plus, which lacks published brightness data but is generally known to be dimmer. The 1391:1 contrast ratio on the Oppo Pad Air also contributes to a more visually engaging experience. While both tablets likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Oppo’s higher brightness makes it more usable outdoors or in brightly lit environments. The Fire HD 10 Plus’s display, while adequate for basic tasks, will appear washed out in comparison. Bezels are comparable on both devices, but the overall viewing experience favors the Oppo Pad Air.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet is designed for serious photography. Both are likely equipped with basic camera sensors suitable for video calls and occasional snapshots. Detailed camera specs are unavailable for both devices, but given the price point, expectations should be tempered. Focusing on camera quality is a misdirection; the primary use case for these tablets isn't photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo Pad Air’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) is a generation ahead of the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus’s MediaTek Helio P60T (12nm). The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 680 translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling, meaning sustained performance will be higher. The Snapdragon 680’s CPU configuration – octa-core with 4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold and 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver cores – offers a more balanced and efficient architecture than the Helio P60T’s 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 setup. This translates to snappier app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the Oppo Pad Air. While both have 4GB of RAM (assumed for Fire HD 10 Plus based on market segment), the superior chipset will make better use of it.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device in the provided data. However, the Oppo Pad Air’s 18W wired charging with Power Delivery (PD) support offers a significant advantage in charging speed and compatibility. The inclusion of 5W reverse wired charging is a unique feature, allowing the Pad Air to charge other devices. The Fire HD 10 Plus offers wireless charging, which is convenient, but typically slower than wired charging. Without knowing the battery capacities, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Oppo Pad Air’s faster and more versatile charging options give it an edge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo Pad Air if you prioritize performance for multitasking, smoother app experiences, and a brighter, more vibrant display for media consumption. It’s ideal for students, casual gamers, and anyone who wants a responsive Android tablet. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) if you are deeply embedded in the Amazon ecosystem, heavily reliant on Amazon services, and prioritize wireless charging convenience over raw processing power and display quality. It’s a good option for dedicated media viewers who primarily consume content through Amazon Prime Video and other Amazon apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 680 in the Oppo Pad Air offer a noticeable performance improvement over the Helio P60T in the Fire HD 10 Plus for gaming?
Yes, the Snapdragon 680’s more modern architecture and 6nm process provide a significant performance boost, especially in sustained gaming scenarios. The Helio P60T is prone to throttling under load, leading to frame drops and stuttering in demanding games. The Oppo Pad Air will deliver a smoother and more consistent gaming experience.
❓ How much does the brighter display on the Oppo Pad Air impact usability in outdoor environments?
The 352 nits of peak brightness on the Oppo Pad Air makes a substantial difference when using the tablet outdoors or in brightly lit rooms. The Fire HD 10 Plus’s dimmer display will be difficult to see in these conditions, requiring you to seek shade or increase the brightness to an unsustainable level.
❓ Is the wireless charging on the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus a significant advantage over the Oppo Pad Air’s wired charging?
While wireless charging is convenient, it’s generally slower than wired charging. The Oppo Pad Air’s 18W PD charging will fully charge the device much faster than the Fire HD 10 Plus’s wireless charging. The Oppo Pad Air also offers reverse wired charging, a feature the Fire HD 10 Plus lacks.
