The tablet market offers a wide spectrum of choices, from premium flagships to budget-friendly options. We're pitting the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, a powerhouse with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, against the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021), a value-focused device running Fire OS. This comparison isn't about declaring a single 'winner,' but rather identifying which tablet best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance, multitasking, and a full Android experience, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is the clear choice. However, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) delivers exceptional value for media consumption and basic tasks, especially within the Amazon ecosystem, making it ideal for casual users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | - |
| 4G bands | LTE | - |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 09 | 2021, April 27. Released 2021, May 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 22 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 253.8 x 165.3 x 6.3 mm (9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 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 | 503 g (Wi-Fi), 507 g (5G) (1.11 lb) | 468 g (1.03 lb) |
| | Stylus, 6.2ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Aluminosilicate glass |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density) | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF
6 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | - | 5 MP |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | - | 2 MP |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 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 | 5.2, 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 3.2, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer |
| | Wireless Samsung DeX | Text-to-Speech English-language content reader |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, 100% in 80 min | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 8000 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold | Slate |
| Models | SM-X700, SM-X706, SM-X706B, SM-X706U, SM-X706N | T76N2P |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.87 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
- Exceptional performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- Faster charging with 45W wired support
- Full Android OS with access to a wider range of apps
- Higher price point
- No wireless charging
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)
- Significantly more affordable
- Wireless charging convenience
- Deep integration with Amazon services
- Substantially slower performance
- Limited app ecosystem (Fire OS)
Display Comparison
While both tablets feature 10.1-inch displays, the similarities end there. The Tab S8, though specs aren't provided, likely boasts a superior LCD panel with higher brightness and color accuracy compared to the Fire HD 10 Plus. The Tab S8's potential for a higher refresh rate (likely 120Hz) would provide a smoother visual experience, especially noticeable in scrolling and gaming. The Fire HD 10 Plus, being a budget device, likely prioritizes cost over display fidelity, resulting in a less vibrant and responsive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance isn't a primary focus for either tablet, but the Tab S8 is expected to offer a more capable imaging system. While specific sensor details are missing, Samsung typically equips its tablets with higher-resolution sensors and more advanced image processing algorithms. The Fire HD 10 Plus likely features basic cameras suitable for video calls and occasional snapshots. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the Fire HD 10 Plus will result in less stable photos and videos, particularly in low-light conditions.
Performance
The performance gap is substantial. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8's Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) is a flagship chipset designed for demanding applications. Its octa-core CPU, featuring a Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.00 GHz, provides significant processing power. In contrast, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus utilizes the MediaTek MT8183 Helio P60T (12nm), a much older and less powerful chipset. The 12nm process node of the Helio P60T is less efficient than the 4nm node of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, leading to higher power consumption and potentially more thermal throttling under sustained load. The Tab S8's LPDDR5x RAM further enhances performance, offering faster data transfer speeds compared to the Fire HD 10 Plus's likely LPDDR4X configuration.
Battery Life
Battery life is a complex equation. The Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus benefits from wireless charging, a convenience feature absent on the Tab S8. However, the Tab S8's 45W wired charging capability allows for a full charge in approximately 80 minutes, significantly faster than the Fire HD 10 Plus's slower wireless charging. The efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, despite its power, could offset the Fire HD 10 Plus's potentially larger battery capacity (spec not provided) during moderate usage, but the Tab S8 will likely drain faster under heavy load.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 if you need a tablet for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or professional productivity, and require the versatility of the full Android operating system. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) if you primarily consume media, read ebooks, and rely heavily on Amazon services, and are looking for the most tablet for your money.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus handle demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The MediaTek Helio P60T in the Fire HD 10 Plus is not powerful enough to run graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact smoothly. You'll likely experience significant lag and frame drops, even on the lowest settings. It's better suited for casual games and streaming.
❓ Is Fire OS a significant limitation compared to standard Android on the Tab S8?
Fire OS is a heavily customized version of Android, lacking the Google Play Store and many Google services. While you can sideload apps, it's not a seamless experience. The Tab S8's full Android OS provides access to a vast app ecosystem and greater customization options.
❓ How much faster is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Tab S8 for multitasking?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers a substantial improvement in multitasking performance. The Tab S8 can handle numerous apps running in the background without significant slowdown, while the Fire HD 10 Plus will struggle with even a moderate number of open applications.
❓ Does the Tab S8 support a stylus, and is it included?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 supports the S Pen, but it is *not* included in the box and must be purchased separately. The S Pen offers precise input for note-taking, drawing, and navigation.
