The sub-$200 tablet market is fiercely competitive, with the TCL 10 TabMid and Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) vying for dominance. While both aim to deliver affordable entertainment, they take drastically different approaches to processing power and software experience. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which tablet offers the best balance of performance, features, and value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing general Android app compatibility and smoother multitasking, the TCL 10 TabMid emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 665 chipset provides a noticeable performance edge over the Fire HD 8’s MediaTek MT8169A, despite the Fire’s slightly lower price point. However, Amazon’s ecosystem integration remains a strong draw for existing Prime members.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | - |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | - |
| EDGE | - | N/A |
| GPRS | - | N/A |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 03. Released 2021, Q1 | 2022, September 21 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, September 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 209.4 x 125.2 x 8.6 mm (8.24 x 4.93 x 0.34 in) | 201.9 x 137.4 x 9.6 mm (7.95 x 5.41 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | No |
| Weight | 325 g (11.46 oz) | 337 g (11.89 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~283 ppi density) | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~70.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~66.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Hexa-core (6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6125 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT8169A |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 2EE MC2 |
| OS | Android 10, TCL UI | Android 11, Fire OS 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 |
| | - | Alexa natural language commands
Text-to-Speech English-language content reader |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
Reverse wired | 15W wired |
| Talk time | - | Up to 13 h |
| Type | Li-Po 5500 mAh | - |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Prime Black | Black, Denim, Rose |
| Models | - | KFRAWI |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 110 EUR |
TCL 10 TabMid
- Superior performance thanks to the Snapdragon 665 chipset.
- Faster 18W charging with reverse wired charging capability.
- Full Android OS provides access to a wider range of apps.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Fire HD 8.
- Software updates may be less frequent compared to Amazon’s Fire OS.
Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022)
- Lower price point, making it a very accessible option.
- Seamless integration with Amazon’s ecosystem (Prime Video, Kindle, etc.).
- Fire OS is optimized for media consumption.
- Less powerful MediaTek MT8169A chipset limits performance.
- Fire OS restricts access to the full Google Play Store.
- Slower 15W charging.
Display Comparison
Neither TCL nor Amazon provide detailed display specifications beyond resolution. However, the focus here isn't on cutting-edge display tech; it's about usability. The TCL 10 TabMid’s display benefits from the Snapdragon 665’s image signal processor, potentially offering slightly more accurate color reproduction. The Fire HD 8’s display, while adequate for media consumption, is likely to exhibit less vibrant colors. Bezels are comparable on both devices, indicating neither prioritizes a truly immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Given the price point, camera quality isn’t a primary focus for either tablet. Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but it’s safe to assume both feature basic sensors suitable for casual snapshots. The TCL 10 TabMid’s Snapdragon 665 ISP likely offers slightly better image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in more detailed and vibrant photos in good lighting conditions. However, neither tablet is expected to excel in low-light photography.
Performance
The TCL 10 TabMid’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 665, built on an 11nm process, represents a significant architectural advantage over the Amazon Fire HD 8’s MediaTek MT8169A. The Snapdragon 665 utilizes an octa-core configuration (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) employing ARM’s Cortex-A75 and A55 cores, offering a blend of performance and efficiency. The Fire HD 8’s hexa-core (6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) relies solely on the less powerful Cortex-A55 architecture. This translates to noticeably faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the TCL, especially when running multiple applications simultaneously. The Snapdragon’s Adreno 610 GPU also provides a superior graphics experience.
Battery Life
While both tablets offer all-day battery life for typical usage, the charging speeds differ. The TCL 10 TabMid supports 18W wired charging, including reverse wired charging, offering faster top-ups compared to the Amazon Fire HD 8’s 15W wired charging. This means the TCL can reach a full charge approximately 20-30% faster, a valuable benefit for users who frequently need to recharge their device. The actual battery capacity of both devices is not specified, but the faster charging of the TCL partially offsets any potential capacity difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 10 TabMid if you need a tablet capable of running a wider range of Android applications smoothly, including productivity tools and more demanding games. It’s ideal for users who want a versatile tablet experience beyond basic media consumption. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) if you are deeply invested in the Amazon ecosystem, primarily intend to stream Prime Video, read Kindle books, and utilize Amazon’s services, and are comfortable with Fire OS’s limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Amazon Fire HD 8’s Fire OS be a limitation for users who rely on specific Android apps not available in the Amazon Appstore?
Yes, Fire OS is a heavily customized version of Android and lacks full Google Play Store compatibility. While many popular apps are available through the Amazon Appstore, some specialized or niche applications may not be accessible, potentially hindering productivity or specific use cases.
❓ How will the Snapdragon 665 in the TCL 10 TabMid handle demanding tasks like video editing or playing graphically intensive games?
The Snapdragon 665 is capable of handling moderate video editing and gaming, but it’s not a powerhouse. Expect acceptable performance with lighter tasks and less demanding games. More intensive operations may experience some lag or require reduced graphics settings. It’s a significant step up from the Fire HD 8’s chipset, but still falls into the entry-level performance category.
❓ Does the TCL 10 TabMid support Widevine L1 certification for HD streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video?
While not explicitly stated, TCL tablets generally support Widevine L1, enabling HD streaming on popular platforms. However, it's always best to verify compatibility with specific streaming services before purchase to ensure optimal viewing quality.
