The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020) and the Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019) represent two distinct approaches to the budget tablet market. The Tab A 8.4 aims for a more traditional Android experience, while the Fire HD 10 prioritizes Amazon’s ecosystem and content consumption. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which tablet delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users seeking a versatile Android tablet experience with better performance and access to the full Google Play Store, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020) is the superior choice. However, the Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019) remains a compelling option for those deeply invested in Amazon’s services and prioritizing media consumption.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13, 20, 66 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 25. Released 2020, March 25 | 2019, September. Released 2019, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 202 x 125.2 x 7.1 mm (7.95 x 4.93 x 0.28 in) | 262 x 159 x 9.8 mm (10.31 x 6.26 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | No |
| Weight | 309 g (10.90 oz) | 504 g (1.11 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.4 inches, 204.6 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~71.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Exynos 7904 (14 nm) | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP2 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | - | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 | Accelerometer |
| | ANT+ | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mocha | Black, Plum, Twilight Blue, White |
| Models | SM-T307U | KFMAWI |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | 1.35 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | - | 0.38 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020)
- More powerful Exynos 7904 processor for smoother performance.
- Access to the full Google Play Store and wider app compatibility.
- Likely superior display quality with better color accuracy.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Fire HD 10.
- Samsung’s software updates can be infrequent.
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019)
- Lower price point, making it a more accessible option.
- Deep integration with Amazon’s ecosystem (Prime Video, Kindle, etc.).
- Longer battery life for basic tasks like reading.
- Limited app availability due to the Amazon Appstore.
- Less powerful processor, resulting in slower performance.
Display Comparison
While both tablets feature 10.1-inch displays, detailed specifications are missing. However, given Samsung’s history, the Tab A 8.4 likely employs a higher-quality IPS panel with better color accuracy and viewing angles than the Fire HD 10. The Fire HD 10’s display, while adequate for media consumption, may exhibit lower peak brightness and wider viewing angle shifts. Bezels are likely comparable, given the price points, but Samsung often prioritizes a slightly more premium aesthetic.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both devices likely feature basic camera setups geared towards video calls rather than photography. Detailed sensor information is unavailable, but given the market segment, expect low-resolution sensors with limited dynamic range. Focusing on camera specs would be a misdirection; neither tablet is designed for serious photography.
Performance
The performance disparity is significant. The Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019) utilizes the MediaTek MT8183 Helio P60T, a 12nm chip with a CPU configuration of 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020) is powered by the Exynos 7904 (14nm) featuring 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 and 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. Despite the 12nm process of the Helio P60T, the Exynos 7904’s optimized architecture and core count give it a performance edge in multi-threaded tasks and overall responsiveness. The Exynos chip will likely handle multitasking and demanding apps more smoothly. The Fire HD 10 may show more noticeable lag when switching between applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, the Exynos 7904’s 14nm process, while older, may offer comparable or even better power efficiency than the 12nm Helio P60T, especially considering the Exynos chip’s optimized architecture. Charging is specified as 'Wired' for the Tab A 8.4, while the Fire HD 10’s charging speed is unknown. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but the Tab A 8.4’s more efficient processor could translate to slightly longer runtimes.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020) if you need a tablet capable of running a wider range of apps, multitasking efficiently, and benefiting from a more open operating system. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019) if you primarily intend to stream Amazon Prime Video, read Kindle books, and utilize Amazon’s ecosystem, and are comfortable with a customized Android experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 7904 chip in the Tab A 8.4 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Exynos 7904 is a relatively efficient chip. While it may experience some thermal throttling during prolonged, graphically intensive gaming, it’s unlikely to overheat to the point of causing performance issues or discomfort. The 14nm process helps manage heat dissipation reasonably well.
❓ Is the Amazon Fire HD 10’s customized Android experience significantly different from stock Android?
Yes, the Fire HD 10 runs Fire OS, a heavily customized version of Android. It lacks access to the Google Play Store and relies on the Amazon Appstore, which has a limited selection of apps. The user interface is also significantly different, prioritizing Amazon’s services and content.
❓ Can I sideload apps onto the Amazon Fire HD 10 to bypass the Amazon Appstore limitations?
Yes, it is possible to sideload apps onto the Fire HD 10, but it requires technical knowledge and carries some risks. Amazon actively discourages sideloading and may not provide support for devices with modified software.
