The tablet market offers a wide spectrum of choices, from productivity powerhouses to affordable entertainment hubs. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite and the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) represent opposite ends of this spectrum. The S6 Lite aims to deliver a near-flagship experience at a mid-range price, while the Fire HD 10 Plus prioritizes affordability and Amazon ecosystem integration. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which tablet best fits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing productivity, note-taking, and a full Android experience, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is the clear winner. Its more powerful Exynos 9611 chipset and included S Pen offer a significant advantage. However, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus provides excellent value for media consumption and casual use, especially for those heavily invested in the Amazon ecosystem.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 2100 | - |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 66 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE-A | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 02 | 2021, April 27. Released 2021, May 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, May 16 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 244.5 x 154.3 x 7 mm (9.63 x 6.07 x 0.28 in) | 247 x 166 x 9.2 mm (9.72 x 6.54 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | No |
| Weight | 467 g (1.03 lb) | 468 g (1.03 lb) |
| | Stylus support | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Aluminosilicate glass |
| Resolution | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Exynos 9611 (10nm) | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | - | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo 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 | 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, gyro | Accelerometer |
| | ANT+ | Text-to-Speech English-language content reader |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 7040 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Chiffon Pink, Angora Blue, Oxford Gray | Slate |
| Models | SM-P610N, SM-P615, SM-P610 | T76N2P |
| Price | About 380 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | 1.45 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
- Superior performance with the Exynos 9611 chipset
- Included S Pen for note-taking and drawing
- Full Android experience with access to the Google Play Store
- No wireless charging
- Higher price point compared to the Fire HD 10 Plus
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)
- Affordable price point
- Wireless charging support
- Seamless integration with the Amazon ecosystem
- Limited performance with the Helio P60T chipset
- Restricted Android experience with Fire OS
Display Comparison
While both tablets feature 10.4-inch displays, the specifics differ significantly. The Fire HD 10 Plus benefits from a slightly newer manufacturing process for its Mediatek chipset, potentially leading to better power efficiency, but lacks detailed display specifications like peak brightness or color gamut coverage. The Tab S6 Lite, while using an older 10nm Exynos 9611, is likely to offer superior color accuracy and viewing angles, typical of Samsung's displays. The absence of detailed display specs for the Fire HD 10 Plus makes a direct comparison difficult, but Samsung's history suggests a more refined visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is not a primary focus for either tablet, but the Tab S6 Lite likely holds an edge. While both tablets likely feature similar basic camera setups, the S6 Lite benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms. The Fire HD 10 Plus’s camera is primarily intended for basic video calls and quick snapshots, while the S6 Lite can handle slightly more demanding photographic tasks. Detailed camera specs are unavailable for both devices, making a precise comparison impossible, but Samsung’s reputation for camera technology suggests a superior experience.
Performance
The performance gap is a key differentiator. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite’s Exynos 9611 (10nm) features a more modern CPU architecture with its Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.3 GHz, compared to the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus’s Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12nm) with 2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 cores. While both utilize the same core architecture, the higher clock speed and more refined process node of the Exynos chip translate to noticeably faster application loading times and smoother multitasking. The Fire HD 10 Plus’s Helio P60T is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with demanding games or resource-intensive applications. The S6 Lite’s performance advantage is particularly beneficial for users who plan to use the S Pen for drawing or note-taking.
Battery Life
Both tablets offer all-day battery life for typical usage. The Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus stands out with wireless charging, a feature absent on the Tab S6 Lite. However, the Tab S6 Lite’s 15W wired charging is likely faster than the Fire HD 10 Plus’s charging speed, despite lacking wireless capabilities. The 12nm process of the Helio P60T in the Fire HD 10 Plus may contribute to slightly better power efficiency under light loads, but the Exynos 9611’s performance advantage will likely offset this during more intensive tasks. The convenience of wireless charging on the Fire HD 10 Plus is a significant benefit for some users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite if you need a versatile tablet for note-taking, sketching, and running demanding applications, and value the flexibility of the full Android operating system. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) if you primarily want a tablet for streaming video, reading ebooks, and browsing the web, and are comfortable within the Amazon ecosystem, prioritizing affordability above all else.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 chip in the Tab S6 Lite overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611 is a relatively efficient chip, and while it can get warm during extended gaming, it's unlikely to experience significant thermal throttling. The tablet's design doesn't prioritize aggressive cooling, but the chip's 10nm process helps manage heat effectively for typical gaming durations.
❓ How restricted is the Fire OS experience on the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus, and can I easily sideload apps?
Fire OS is heavily customized and lacks full Google Play Store support. While you can sideload apps, it requires some technical knowledge and isn't as seamless as using the Google Play Store. Amazon's app store offers a limited selection compared to Google Play, and some apps may not be compatible.
❓ Is the S Pen on the Tab S6 Lite a significant advantage for students taking notes?
Yes, the S Pen is a major benefit for students. It allows for natural handwriting, sketching, and annotating PDFs, making note-taking more efficient and engaging. The S Pen also supports air gestures for convenient control.
❓ What is the real-world impact of the lack of Google Play Services on the Fire HD 10 Plus?
The absence of Google Play Services means apps reliant on these services (like Google Maps, Gmail, and many games) may not function correctly or require workarounds. This limitation significantly impacts the tablet's functionality for users heavily invested in the Google ecosystem.
