The sub-$200 tablet market is fiercely competitive, and the TCL Tab 10L and Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) represent two distinct approaches. The TCL offers a stock-Android-adjacent experience, while the Amazon prioritizes content consumption within its ecosystem. This comparison dissects their hardware and software to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) is the superior choice. Its MediaTek Helio P60T chipset provides a substantial performance advantage over the TCL Tab 10L’s MT8167, making it better suited for multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications. However, the TCL is a viable option for those deeply averse to Amazon’s Fire OS.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 3G bands | N/A | - |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 04 | 2021, April 27. Released 2021, May 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, Q3 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 243.2 x 158.2 x 9.2 mm (9.57 x 6.23 x 0.36 in) | 247 x 166 x 9.2 mm (9.72 x 6.54 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 426 g (15.03 oz) | 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 (~76.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A35 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8167 | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8300 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, 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 | - | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4080 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Prime Black | Slate |
| Models | 8491X | T76N2P |
| Price | - | About 150 EUR |
TCL Tab 10L
- Clean Android Experience (likely)
- Potentially Lower Price
- Simpler User Interface
- Significantly Lower Performance
- Missing Key Specs (Display, Battery)
- Limited Software Support
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)
- Superior Performance (Helio P60T)
- Wireless Charging
- Optimized for Amazon Content
- Fire OS (may not appeal to all)
- Amazon Ecosystem Lock-in
- Potential for Ads
Display Comparison
Both tablets likely feature IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, detailed display specs like resolution and brightness are missing for the TCL Tab 10L. The Fire HD 10 Plus, while not boasting cutting-edge display technology, benefits from Amazon’s software optimizations for video playback. The absence of detailed specs for the TCL makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Fire HD 10 Plus likely offers a more vibrant and optimized viewing experience, particularly for Amazon Prime Video content.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet is intended as a photography powerhouse. Camera specs are largely irrelevant in this segment, and both likely feature basic sensors suitable for video calls and occasional snapshots. Detailed information is lacking for both, making a meaningful comparison impossible. Focusing on camera quality in this price range is a misallocation of expectations.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus’s MediaTek MT8183 Helio P60T, a 12nm octa-core processor (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53), dramatically outperforms the TCL Tab 10L’s Mediatek MT8167 quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A35. The Helio P60T’s architecture, with its more powerful Cortex-A73 cores, provides a substantial boost in CPU and GPU performance. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the Amazon tablet. The TCL’s MT8167 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with more demanding applications. The Fire HD 10 Plus also benefits from potentially more RAM, further enhancing its multitasking capabilities.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for the TCL Tab 10L. The Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus offers a respectable battery life, and crucially, supports wireless charging – a feature absent on the TCL. While the TCL may offer comparable battery endurance based on its less powerful processor, the convenience of wireless charging on the Fire HD 10 Plus is a significant advantage for users who prefer cable-free charging solutions. The 12nm process node of the Helio P60T also contributes to better power efficiency compared to the likely larger process node of the MT8167.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL Tab 10L if you need a basic Android tablet for light tasks like reading ebooks, browsing the web, and simple video calls, and you prioritize a clean, unadulterated Android experience. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) if you prefer a tablet optimized for media consumption, appreciate the convenience of Amazon’s ecosystem, and require significantly more processing power for a smoother overall experience, especially given its wireless charging capability.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus’s Fire OS significantly limit app compatibility compared to standard Android?
While Fire OS is based on Android, it lacks full Google Play Store support. You primarily access apps through the Amazon Appstore, which has a smaller selection. However, sideloading apps is possible, though it requires some technical knowledge and isn't officially supported by Amazon.
❓ Is the performance difference between the MT8167 and MT8183 noticeable in everyday tasks like web browsing and video streaming?
Yes, the difference is quite noticeable. The Helio P60T in the Fire HD 10 Plus provides a much smoother experience when multitasking, loading web pages, and streaming high-resolution video. The MT8167 in the TCL Tab 10L may exhibit lag and slowdowns with even moderate use.
❓ Can I easily remove Amazon's advertisements from the Fire HD 10 Plus?
Amazon displays 'Special Offers' (ads) on the lock screen of the Fire HD 10 Plus. You can pay a one-time fee to remove these ads, or they can sometimes be removed through specific workarounds, though Amazon actively discourages this.
