The sub-$200 tablet market is fiercely competitive, and the TCL Tab 10L Gen2 and Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) represent compelling options. While both aim to deliver affordable entertainment and productivity, they take drastically different approaches. The Fire HD 10 Plus leans into Amazon’s ecosystem with features like wireless charging, while the TCL Tab 10L Gen2 offers a more standard Android experience. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) is the better choice. Its MediaTek Helio P60T chipset provides a significant performance advantage over the TCL Tab 10L Gen2’s MT8766B, making it smoother for multitasking and demanding apps. The addition of wireless charging is a convenience the TCL Tab lacks, despite the TCL's more open Android experience.
| 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, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, August 29 | 2021, April 27. Released 2021, May 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, September | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 241.2 x 156.6 x 8 mm (9.50 x 6.17 x 0.31 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 | 472 g (1.04 lb) | 468 g (1.03 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Aluminosilicate glass |
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~149 ppi density) | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~78.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 350 nits | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8766B | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8300 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | Yes | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | Yes | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS - cellular model only | No |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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 Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| | - | Text-to-Speech English-language content reader |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Black | Slate |
| Models | 8192A, 8492A | T76N2P |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 150 EUR |
TCL Tab 10L Gen2
- Pure Android experience – no Amazon bloatware.
- More open app ecosystem (Google Play Store).
- Potentially lower price point.
- Significantly weaker processor (MT8766B).
- No wireless charging.
- Limited performance for demanding apps.
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)
- Faster processor (Helio P60T) for smoother performance.
- Wireless charging for added convenience.
- Tight integration with Amazon services.
- Amazon’s Fire OS is a heavily customized Android experience.
- Limited access to Google services.
- Potential for Amazon advertising and recommendations.
Display Comparison
Neither tablet boasts a particularly impressive display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, detailed specs like resolution and peak brightness are missing. The Fire HD 10 Plus benefits from a slightly larger 10.1-inch screen, potentially offering a more immersive viewing experience. The TCL Tab 10L Gen2’s display quality will likely be adequate for basic consumption, but don’t expect vibrant colors or high contrast. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are equipped with basic camera setups primarily intended for video calls. Detailed sensor information is unavailable, but expectations should be tempered. Image quality will likely be acceptable in well-lit conditions but suffer in low light. Focusing on camera specs is a misdirection at this price point; these tablets are not designed for photography.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus’s MediaTek Helio P60T (12nm) is a clear upgrade over the TCL Tab 10L Gen2’s Mediatek MT8766B. The P60T’s octa-core configuration (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) provides substantially more processing power than the Tab 10L’s quad-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53). This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface. The P60T’s 12nm process also suggests better power efficiency, potentially offsetting the larger core count. The TCL Tab 10L Gen2 will struggle with demanding applications and may exhibit noticeable lag during heavy use.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. While specific mAh capacities are not provided, both tablets should offer all-day battery life with moderate use (web browsing, video streaming). The Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus’s 10W wired charging is standard, but the inclusion of wireless charging provides a convenient alternative. The TCL Tab 10L Gen2 is limited to 10W wired charging, meaning longer recharge times. The P60T’s more efficient process node may contribute to slightly longer battery life on the Fire HD 10 Plus, even with similar battery capacities.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL Tab 10L Gen2 if you prioritize a pure Android experience, unburdened by Amazon’s ecosystem, and are willing to accept a noticeable performance trade-off. It’s ideal for basic tasks like reading, light browsing, and simple video playback. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) if you’re heavily invested in Amazon’s services (Prime Video, Kindle, etc.), value performance for streaming and gaming, and appreciate the convenience of wireless charging. Be prepared for a customized Android experience focused on Amazon content.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus’s Fire OS significantly limit app compatibility compared to standard Android?
Yes, Fire OS relies on the Amazon Appstore, which has a smaller selection than the Google Play Store. While many popular apps are available, you may encounter some apps that are not compatible. Sideloading apps is possible, but requires technical knowledge and may void your warranty.
❓ Is the TCL Tab 10L Gen2 a good choice for playing graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile?
No, the TCL Tab 10L Gen2’s Mediatek MT8766B chipset is not powerful enough to provide a smooth gaming experience in demanding titles like PUBG Mobile. You’ll likely encounter significant lag and frame rate drops, even on low graphics settings. The Fire HD 10 Plus with its Helio P60T will offer a considerably better, though still not optimal, gaming experience.
❓ Can I easily access Google services like Gmail and YouTube on the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus?
Accessing Google services on the Fire HD 10 Plus requires sideloading the Google Play Store, which is a somewhat complex process. While it's achievable, it's not officially supported by Amazon and may require periodic re-installation. The TCL Tab 10L Gen2 offers seamless access to all Google services out of the box.
