The sub-$150 tablet market is fiercely competitive, offering options for casual users, students, and anyone needing a portable entertainment device. We pit the Umidigi G1 Tab Mini, a pure Android experience, against the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022), known for its ecosystem integration and affordability, to determine which provides the best overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing a clean Android experience and slightly better CPU core count, the Umidigi G1 Tab Mini is the better choice. However, the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) wins for those deeply invested in the Amazon ecosystem and appreciate the convenience of wireless charging, despite its less powerful chipset.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| 4G bands | N/A | - |
| EDGE | N/A | N/A |
| GPRS | N/A | N/A |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2022, September 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024 | Available. Released 2022, September 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 201.6 x 124.5 x 8.9 mm (7.94 x 4.90 x 0.35 in) | 201.9 x 137.4 x 9.6 mm (7.95 x 5.41 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 368 g (12.98 oz) | 342 g (12.06 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~73.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~66.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz | Hexa-core (6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | RK3562 (22 nm) | Mediatek MT8169A |
| GPU | - | Mali-G52 2EE MC2 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 11, Fire OS 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | 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 | 10W wired | 15W wired
10W wireless |
| Talk time | - | Up to 13 h |
| Type | 5000 mAh | - |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glacier Blue, Lake Green, Nebula Purple, Space Grey | Gray |
| Models | - | KFRAPWI |
| Price | - | About 120 EUR |
Umidigi G1 Tab Mini
- Clean Android experience – no bloatware.
- Potentially better CPU efficiency with RK3562.
- More open app ecosystem.
- Slower charging speed (10W).
- No wireless charging support.
Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022)
- Faster charging (15W wired, 10W wireless).
- Seamless integration with Amazon services.
- Established app store and ecosystem.
- Fire OS is a heavily customized Android experience.
- Less powerful chipset (MT8169A vs RK3562).
Display Comparison
Neither tablet boasts a premium display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The critical difference lies under the hood. While neither spec sheet details resolution or brightness, the Fire HD 8 Plus’s larger screen size (8 inches vs. the G1 Tab Mini’s unspecified size, likely around 7 inches) will offer a more immersive viewing experience. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced features like LTPO on both devices indicates a focus on cost savings rather than visual fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a deciding factor for either tablet. Both are geared towards basic video calls and occasional snapshots. Without detailed sensor information, it’s safe to assume both feature low-resolution sensors. Focusing on the chipset’s ISP capabilities, the Mediatek MT8169A likely offers slightly better image processing than the RK3562, but the difference will be minimal in real-world usage. Expect washed-out colors and limited detail in less-than-ideal lighting conditions.
Performance
The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) features the Mediatek MT8169A, a hexa-core processor clocked at 2.0 GHz. This configuration, utilizing Cortex-A55 cores, offers a theoretical advantage over the Umidigi G1 Tab Mini’s RK3562 quad-core processor, also clocked at 2.0 GHz. While clock speeds are identical, the additional cores in the MT8169A should translate to better multitasking and smoother performance in demanding applications. However, the RK3562 benefits from a more modern architecture, potentially offering better efficiency. The lack of LPDDR5x RAM specification for either device suggests both likely utilize slower LPDDR4x, limiting overall system responsiveness.
Battery Life
The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) has a slight edge in charging capabilities with 15W wired charging and the addition of 10W wireless charging. The Umidigi G1 Tab Mini is limited to 10W wired charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the faster charging on the Fire HD 8 Plus allows for quicker top-ups. Wireless charging is a significant convenience factor for Amazon users, but the slower charging speed means a full charge will still take several hours. The actual battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but the more efficient RK3562 in the Umidigi G1 Tab Mini might offer slightly longer runtimes with moderate use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi G1 Tab Mini if you need a tablet running standard Android without Amazon’s Fire OS customizations, allowing for broader app compatibility and a more familiar user interface. Buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) if you prefer a tightly integrated experience with Amazon services like Prime Video, Kindle, and Alexa, and value the convenience of wireless charging and a more established app store, even with its limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek MT8169A in the Fire HD 8 Plus tend to overheat during extended video playback?
The MT8169A is a relatively low-power chipset, and overheating isn't a common issue during typical usage like video playback. However, prolonged gaming or demanding tasks could lead to some thermal throttling, reducing performance slightly. The passive cooling design of both tablets limits their ability to dissipate heat effectively.
❓ Can I easily install Google Play Store on the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022)?
Installing the Google Play Store on a Fire tablet is possible, but it requires sideloading and isn't officially supported by Amazon. The process can be complex and may void your warranty. While there are numerous guides available online, it's not a straightforward experience and may not always work flawlessly.
❓ Is the RK3562 chipset in the Umidigi G1 Tab Mini sufficient for basic productivity tasks like email and document editing?
Yes, the RK3562 is perfectly capable of handling basic productivity tasks like email, web browsing, and document editing. While it's not a powerhouse, it provides enough processing power for everyday use. However, expect some lag when working with large files or multiple applications simultaneously.
❓ What type of storage does each tablet use, and is it expandable?
Neither specification details the storage type, but both likely utilize eMMC storage, common in this price range. The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) supports microSD card expansion up to 1TB, providing ample storage for media and files. The Umidigi G1 Tab Mini's storage expandability is unknown, but it's likely to also support microSD cards.
