The tablet market offers a wide spectrum of choices, from premium devices focused on performance to budget-friendly options prioritizing affordability. This comparison pits the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6, a former flagship boasting a Snapdragon 855, against the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021), a value-oriented tablet running Amazon’s Fire OS. We’ll dissect their core components to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users demanding performance and a full Android experience, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 855 chipset provides significantly more processing power. However, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) offers compelling value for casual users primarily focused on media consumption and Amazon’s ecosystem.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | - |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps - cellular model only | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, July 31. Released 2019, August | 2021, April 27. Released 2021, May 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | 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 (cellular model only) | 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 | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 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 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.0 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB 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 - cellular model only | 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, non-removable | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mountain Gray, Cloud Blue, Rose Blush | Slate |
| Models | SM-T860, SM-T865 | T76N2P |
| Price | About 600 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | 0.70 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 1.22 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
- Significantly more powerful Snapdragon 855 processor
- Likely superior display quality (AMOLED, higher resolution)
- Full Android OS with access to the Google Play Store
- Wired charging only (15W)
- Higher price point
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)
- Affordable price
- Wireless charging support
- Seamless integration with Amazon’s ecosystem
- Less powerful Helio P60T processor
- Fire OS limitations (limited app selection, Amazon-centric)
- Likely lower display quality
Display Comparison
While display specifications aren't provided, the Tab S6, as a former flagship, likely features a higher-resolution and more color-accurate display than the Fire HD 10 Plus. The Fire HD 10 Plus's 12nm Helio P60T chipset suggests a focus on efficiency over visual fidelity. The Tab S6's likely AMOLED panel (based on Samsung's history) would offer superior contrast and viewing angles compared to the Fire HD 10 Plus's expected IPS LCD. Bezels are also likely thinner on the Tab S6, contributing to a more immersive experience.
Camera Comparison
Given the context, a detailed camera comparison is limited. Both tablets likely feature modest camera setups. However, the Tab S6, being a higher-end device, likely has a superior main sensor and image processing capabilities. The Fire HD 10 Plus's camera is likely geared towards basic video calls and casual snapshots. We can assume the Tab S6 will produce more detailed and vibrant photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6’s Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7nm) is a significant leap ahead of the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus’s MediaTek MT8183 Helio P60T (12nm). The Snapdragon 855’s octa-core CPU, with its Kryo 485 architecture, delivers substantially faster processing speeds and improved multi-tasking capabilities. The 7nm fabrication process also translates to better thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The Helio P60T, while adequate for basic tasks, will struggle with demanding games or applications. The Tab S6's likely use of faster LPDDR4X RAM further enhances its performance advantage.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified, but the difference in charging methods is notable. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 supports 15W wired charging, while the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) offers wireless charging. Wireless charging provides convenience, but is generally slower than wired charging. The Tab S6’s 15W charging will likely deliver a faster 0-100% charge time. The efficiency of the Snapdragon 855, combined with potential battery optimization in Samsung’s software, could offset any capacity difference between the two devices, resulting in comparable real-world battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 if you need a tablet capable of demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or running multiple apps simultaneously, and if you value the flexibility of the full Android operating system. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) if you prioritize affordability, enjoy Amazon’s services (Prime Video, Kindle), and primarily use your tablet for reading, streaming, and light web browsing.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio P60T in the Fire HD 10 Plus struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the MediaTek Helio P60T is not designed for demanding games. While it can handle simpler titles, Genshin Impact and similar games will likely experience significant lag and frame rate drops, even on the lowest settings. The Snapdragon 855 in the Tab S6 is far better equipped to handle such games.
❓ Can I easily install Google apps like YouTube and Gmail on the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus?
Installing Google apps on the Fire HD 10 Plus requires sideloading, which involves downloading the APK files and enabling apps from unknown sources. While possible, it's not as straightforward as downloading from the Google Play Store and may require some technical knowledge. The Tab S6, with full Android access, allows for seamless installation of all Google apps.
❓ How does the 15W charging on the Tab S6 compare to the wireless charging on the Fire HD 10 Plus in terms of speed?
15W wired charging is generally faster than wireless charging. While the Fire HD 10 Plus offers the convenience of wireless charging, the Tab S6 will likely reach a full charge in a shorter amount of time using its wired connection. Expect a 0-100% charge to take longer on the Fire HD 10 Plus via wireless charging.
