The sub-$200 tablet market is fiercely competitive, and the TCL Tab 10s and Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) are two of the leading contenders. While both aim to deliver an affordable tablet experience, they take different approaches. The TCL Tab 10s offers a more standard Android experience, while the Fire HD 10 Plus is deeply integrated with Amazon’s ecosystem and boasts wireless charging. This comparison dives deep into the hardware and software to determine which tablet provides the best overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing a cleaner Android experience and broader app compatibility, the TCL Tab 10s is the better choice. Its Mediatek MT8768 chipset, while not a powerhouse, offers a slight performance edge over the Fire HD 10 Plus’s MT8183, making it more responsive for everyday tasks. However, the Fire HD 10 Plus’s wireless charging is a compelling feature for those invested in the Amazon ecosystem.
| 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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, January 12 | 2021, April 27. Released 2021, May 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 26 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 241 x 158.6 x 8.3 mm (9.49 x 6.24 x 0.33 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 | 464 g (1.02 lb) | 468 g (1.03 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Aluminosilicate glass |
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~77.4% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8768 | Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), Fire OS 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | 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 | 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 Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer |
| | - | Text-to-Speech English-language content reader |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 8000 mAh | Li-Ion |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Silver | Slate |
| Models | 9080G, 9081X | T76N2P |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 150 EUR |
TCL Tab 10s
- Cleaner Android experience with full Google Play Store access
- Slightly better CPU performance in some multi-threaded tasks
- 18W wired charging
- Lacks wireless charging
- Potentially lower build quality compared to Fire HD 10 Plus
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021)
- Wireless charging support
- Deep Amazon ecosystem integration (Prime Video, Kindle)
- Hands-free Alexa access
- Fire OS is a heavily customized Android experience
- Limited app compatibility compared to standard Android
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature 10.1-inch displays, but detailed specifications are missing. However, the Fire HD 10 Plus benefits from a fully laminated display, reducing parallax and improving the viewing experience. While neither is expected to deliver vibrant colors or high brightness, the Fire HD 10 Plus’s lamination provides a more premium feel. The TCL Tab 10s, lacking this feature, may exhibit a slight gap between the glass and the display panel.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are equipped with basic camera setups suitable for video calls and occasional snapshots. Detailed sensor information is unavailable, but given the price point, expectations should be tempered. Focusing on camera specs would be a misdirection; neither tablet is designed for serious photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus utilizes the Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T (12nm), featuring four Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz alongside four Cortex-A53 cores. The TCL Tab 10s, however, employs the Mediatek MT8768, with four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.0 GHz and another four at 1.5 GHz. While core count is similar, the Cortex-A73 cores in the P60T offer a significant architectural advantage, providing better single-core performance. However, the MT8768’s slightly higher clock speed on some cores may close the gap in multi-threaded tasks. Both tablets likely feature similar RAM configurations, limiting overall performance. The P60T’s 12nm process should also offer slightly better power efficiency.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus distinguishes itself with wireless charging support, a feature absent on the TCL Tab 10s. While wired charging on the TCL Tab 10s is rated at 18W, the Fire HD 10 Plus’s wireless charging offers convenience, albeit at a slower charging rate. The Fire HD 10 Plus’s wireless charging capability is a significant advantage for users who prefer cable-free charging solutions.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL Tab 10s if you need a versatile tablet with access to the full Google Play Store and a more open Android experience. It’s ideal for users who want to run a wider range of apps and customize their tablet. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2021) if you are heavily invested in Amazon’s services – Prime Video, Kindle, Music – and value the convenience of wireless charging and hands-free Alexa integration. It’s a strong choice for media consumption within the Amazon ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus’s Fire OS restrict app availability compared to the TCL Tab 10s?
Yes, Fire OS is a heavily customized version of Android and lacks full Google Play Store support. While the Amazon Appstore offers a selection of apps, it’s significantly smaller than the Google Play Store. The TCL Tab 10s, with its standard Android implementation, provides access to a much wider range of applications.
❓ Is the Mediatek MT8183 Helio P60T in the Fire HD 10 Plus sufficient for streaming video and light gaming?
The MT8183 is capable of handling streaming video from services like Prime Video and Netflix without issue. Light gaming is also possible, but demanding titles may experience frame rate drops or require reduced graphics settings. The chipset is optimized for media consumption rather than intensive gaming.
❓ Can I sideload apps onto the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus to bypass the Amazon Appstore limitations?
Yes, it is possible to sideload apps onto the Fire HD 10 Plus, but it requires enabling developer mode and is not officially supported by Amazon. This process can be complex for less tech-savvy users and may void your warranty.
