The tablet market offers a wide spectrum of choices, from premium devices designed for power users to affordable options focused on basic entertainment. This comparison pits the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 5G, a former flagship boasting a Snapdragon 855+ and 5G connectivity, against the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021), a budget-friendly tablet prioritizing affordability and Amazon’s ecosystem. We’ll dissect their core components to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance, multitasking, and 5G connectivity, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 5G is the clear winner. However, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) provides exceptional value for casual users primarily interested in media consumption and Amazon services, offering a functional tablet experience at a significantly lower price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | - |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| 5G bands | 78 SA/NSA | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, January 29 | 2021, April 27. Released 2021, May 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, January 30 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 244.5 x 159.5 x 5.7 mm (9.63 x 6.28 x 0.22 in) | 247 x 166 x 9.2 mm (9.72 x 6.54 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | No |
| Weight | 420 g (14.82 oz) | 468 g (1.03 lb) |
| | Stylus support (Bluetooth integration; magnetic) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Aluminosilicate glass |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~287 ppi density) | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.5 inches, 321.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, HDR10+ | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm) | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 (700 MHz) | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 10, One UI 2 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.0 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF
5 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm | - |
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | - | 5 MP |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 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 |
| | Tuned by AKG | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, 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 | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer |
| | Samsung DeX
ANT+ | Text-to-Speech English-language content reader |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 7040 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mountain Gray | Slate |
| Models | SM-T866N | T76N2P |
| Price | About 800 EUR | About 150 EUR |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 5G
- Significantly faster processor for demanding tasks
- 5G connectivity for on-the-go data access
- Likely superior display quality
- Higher price point
- Slower charging speed (15W wired)
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)
- Extremely affordable price
- Wireless charging for added convenience
- Deep integration with Amazon’s ecosystem
- Substantially slower processor
- Limited performance for demanding applications
Display Comparison
While specific display specs like brightness and color accuracy aren't provided, the Tab S6 5G, as a former flagship, likely features a superior panel. The Fire HD 10 Plus, given its price point, likely utilizes a standard IPS LCD. The key difference lies in the underlying technology; the Tab S6 5G likely benefits from a higher refresh rate and better color calibration. The Fire HD 10 Plus’s display is adequate for media consumption, but won’t match the vibrancy and responsiveness of the Samsung.
Camera Comparison
Given the context data, a detailed camera comparison is limited. However, it’s safe to assume the Tab S6 5G possesses a more capable camera system, likely with a higher resolution main sensor and potentially features like Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). The Fire HD 10 Plus’s camera is likely geared towards basic video calls and casual snapshots. The focus here isn’t image quality, but functionality within the Amazon ecosystem.
Performance
The performance gap is substantial. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ (7nm) is a high-end chipset designed for flagship smartphones, featuring an octa-core CPU with a peak clock speed of 2.96 GHz. This contrasts sharply with the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus’s MediaTek Helio P60T (12nm). The 7nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon 855+ offers significantly better power efficiency and thermal performance compared to the 12nm Helio P60T. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the Tab S6 5G. The Helio P60T is sufficient for basic tasks, but will struggle with demanding applications and games.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified for either device. However, the Tab S6 5G’s 15W wired charging is slower than the Fire HD 10 Plus’s wireless charging capability. Wireless charging offers convenience, but typically charges at a slower rate. The Snapdragon 855+'s efficiency could offset a potentially smaller battery capacity in the Tab S6 5G, but the Fire HD 10 Plus likely prioritizes longer battery life through its less power-hungry chipset.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 5G if you need a tablet capable of demanding tasks like video editing, gaming, or running multiple apps simultaneously, and if 5G connectivity is a priority. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) if you prefer a simple, affordable tablet for reading, streaming video, and accessing Amazon’s content library, and are comfortable within the Amazon ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus handle graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
The MediaTek Helio P60T in the Fire HD 10 Plus is not designed for demanding games like Genshin Impact. You’ll likely experience significant lag and low frame rates, even on the lowest settings. The Tab S6 5G’s Snapdragon 855+ is far more capable of handling such titles.
❓ How much does the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus’s integration with Amazon services limit its functionality?
The Fire HD 10 Plus is heavily integrated with Amazon’s ecosystem. While you can sideload apps, the experience is not optimized, and you’re constantly encouraged to use Amazon’s services. Accessing the full Google Play Store is not possible without rooting the device, which voids the warranty and introduces security risks.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 5G worth the extra cost if I primarily use Wi-Fi?
If you consistently have access to reliable Wi-Fi, the 5G connectivity on the Tab S6 5G may not be essential. However, 5G provides a valuable backup option for connectivity when Wi-Fi is unavailable, and can offer significantly faster speeds in supported areas.
