The budget tablet market is fiercely competitive, with options catering to diverse needs. The TCL Tab 10 NxtPaper prioritizes a paper-like reading experience, while the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) focuses on media consumption and Amazon ecosystem integration. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which tablet delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing a comfortable reading experience and moderate performance, the TCL Tab 10 NxtPaper is the better choice. Its NxtPaper display is a standout feature. However, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) wins for those deeply invested in the Amazon ecosystem and desire wireless charging convenience.
| 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, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 48, 66 - USA | - |
| 5G bands | 2, 5, 48, 66, 77 SA/NSA - USA | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, February | 2021, April 27. Released 2021, May 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, June | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 246.1 x 155.9 x 7.8 mm (9.69 x 6.14 x 0.31 in) | 247 x 166 x 9.2 mm (9.72 x 6.54 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | No |
| Weight | 480 g (1.06 lb) | 468 g (1.03 lb) |
| 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 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | MediaTek 24E | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 14 | 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 |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | Unspecified | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro | Accelerometer |
| | - | Text-to-Speech English-language content reader |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | Wireless |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue | Slate |
| Models | 9199S | T76N2P |
| Price | - | About 150 EUR |
TCL Tab 10 NxtPaper
- Unique NxtPaper display for comfortable reading
- More modern processor (MediaTek 24E) for better performance
- Potentially longer sustained performance due to processor efficiency
- Lacks wireless charging
- Display may not be ideal for bright outdoor environments
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)
- Wireless charging for added convenience
- Deep integration with Amazon ecosystem
- Likely higher peak display brightness
- Older processor (MediaTek MT8183) with less efficient cores
- Potentially slower app loading and multitasking
Display Comparison
The TCL Tab 10 NxtPaper’s defining feature is its NxtPaper display, designed to mimic the texture of paper, reducing blue light and glare. While specific nit brightness isn’t provided, the focus is on comfort, not peak luminance. Conversely, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) likely offers higher peak brightness, typical for an LCD panel, making it better suited for outdoor viewing. The Fire HD 10 Plus’s display is standard 1080p, while the NxtPaper’s resolution is likely similar, but the matte finish impacts perceived sharpness. Bezels are expected to be comparable on both, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are expected to feature basic camera setups suitable for video calls and occasional snapshots. Given the context data, detailed analysis is limited. The Fire HD 10 Plus may have a slightly more refined camera app due to Amazon’s software optimization, but image quality will be comparable, likely around 5-8MP for the main sensor on both.
Performance
The TCL Tab 10 NxtPaper utilizes the MediaTek 24E, an octa-core processor with a Cortex-A76 based architecture. This suggests a performance edge over the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus’s MediaTek MT8183 Helio P60T. The P60T, while an octa-core chip, employs older Cortex-A73 cores. The A76 cores in the 24E offer improved IPC (Instructions Per Clock) and efficiency. While both tablets likely feature similar RAM configurations, the 24E’s more modern architecture should translate to snappier app loading and smoother multitasking. Thermal management is less of a concern on these tablets than on high-end phones, but the 24E’s efficiency could lead to slightly longer sustained performance.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, but both are likely in the 6000-7000 mAh range, typical for 10-inch tablets. The TCL Tab 10 NxtPaper supports 18W wired charging, while the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) offers the convenience of wireless charging. Wireless charging, while slower, provides a more convenient top-up option. The 18W charging on the TCL Tab 10 NxtPaper should provide a reasonable 0-100% charge time, but the Fire HD 10 Plus’s wireless charging will take considerably longer.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL Tab 10 NxtPaper if you need a tablet primarily for reading ebooks, taking notes, or light productivity tasks where eye strain is a concern. Its NxtPaper display offers a unique advantage. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) if you prefer a tablet for streaming video, browsing the web, and accessing Amazon services like Prime Video and Kindle, and value the convenience of wireless charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the TCL Tab 10 NxtPaper’s display truly better for reading than a standard LCD?
Yes, the NxtPaper display utilizes a unique surface treatment and filter to reduce blue light and glare, mimicking the texture of paper. This significantly reduces eye strain during prolonged reading sessions, unlike a standard LCD which emits more blue light and can cause reflections.
❓ Will the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) run all Android apps smoothly?
The Fire HD 10 Plus runs Fire OS, which is based on Android but lacks full Google Play Services support. While many apps are available through the Amazon Appstore, some may not be compatible or require sideloading. The older MediaTek MT8183 processor may also struggle with demanding apps or heavy multitasking.
❓ Can I use Google Play Store on the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus?
Officially, no. Amazon does not include Google Play Store. However, it is possible to sideload the Play Store, but this is a complex process and voids your warranty. It also may not function perfectly due to the lack of Google Mobile Services.
❓ How does the MediaTek 24E in the TCL Tab 10 NxtPaper compare to the Helio P60T in real-world usage?
The MediaTek 24E, with its newer Cortex-A76 cores, offers a noticeable improvement in CPU performance compared to the Helio P60T’s Cortex-A73 cores. This translates to faster app launches, smoother scrolling, and better responsiveness when multitasking. While both are adequate for basic tasks, the 24E provides a more fluid user experience.
