Affordable tablets that don’t sacrifice performance for a lower price point are becoming more common by the day. Amazon’s Fire HD 10 (2021) is proof of that, as well as the Lenovo Tab M10 (2019).
These slates have a large display, making them perfect for watching TV shows, movies and any kind of video. While they’re inherently similar in that sense, each one offers a vastly different user experience. We compare the two to help you decide between them, from their screen to their software.
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Fire HD 10 vs Lenovo M10 Comparison Chart
| Model | Fire HD 10 | Lenovo Tab M10 |
| Amazon product |  | |
| Price | Amazon product | Check Price at Amazon.com |
| Display | 10.1-inch IPS LCD, 1920 x 1200 (224 PPI) | 10.1-inch IPS LCD, 1280 x 800 (149 PPI) |
| Processor | MediaTek MT8183 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 429 |
| Storage and RAM | 3GB RAM, 32GB/64GB (up to 1TB of additional storage via microSD card) | 2GB RAM, 16GB/32GB (up to 256GB of additional storage via microSD card) |
| Battery | Up to 12 hours | 4,850 mAh (up to 8 hours) |
| Operating System | Android 9 Pie, Fire OS 7 | Android 9 Pie |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) | Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) |
| Cameras | Rear: 5MP Front: 2MP | Rear: 5MP Front: 2MP |
| Weight | 1.02 lbs | 1.06 lbs |
| Dimensions | 9.73” x 6.53” x 0.36” | 9.6″ x 6.7″ x 0.33″ |
| Colors | Black, Denim, Olive, Lavender | Slate Black, Polar White |
Display and Build
The Fire HD 10 has a sharper display than the Tab M10.
Both have a 10.1-inch IPS LCD display, but the Fire HD 10 has a notable advantage here: it has a 1920 x 1200 resolution as opposed to the Tab M10’s comparatively paltry 1280 x 800 screen. In other words, the former has a sharper and clearer screen. Additionally, it has Widevine L1 certification for HD playback on streaming apps such as Netflix, which is more or less required for media-consumption tablets like these two.
The two measure practically the same, with the Fire HD 10 coming in at 9.73” x 6.53” x 0.36” and the Tab M10 at 9.6” x 6.7” x 0.33”. The Fire HD 10 is a bit lighter at 1.02 lbs as compared to 1.06 lbs, and if nothing else, it’s slightly more comfortable to hold for long periods.
To no one’s surprise, these are made out of mostly plastic, which are typical for tablets in this price range. The good news is neither one feels too cheap, but neither one is exactly premium to the touch.
As for color options, the Fire HD 10 comes in Black, Denim, Olive and Lavender, offering a wider selection than the Tab M10’s Slate Black and Polar White.
Performance, Storage and Battery
The Fire HD 10 is faster and has better storage options than the Tab M10.
The Fire HD 10 is snappier than the Tab M10 despite running on a heavily skinned version of Android (read: Fire OS). That’s thanks to its MediaTek MT8183 processor paired with 3GB of RAM. In the Tab M10’s defense, it does run reasonably well, but its Qualcomm Snapdragon 429 and 2GB RAM combo just pales in comparison. For a clearer idea, the Fire HD 10 scores more than twice as much in Geekbench 5 scores than the Tab M10.
In the same vein, the Fire HD 10’s expandable memory is better too. After all, it supports microSD cards of up to 1TB, and besides that, it’s available with either 32GB or 64GB right from the get-go. Meanwhile, the Tab M10 only goes up to 32GB of internal storage and can only be expanded by up to 256GB.
It’s the same story with their battery life as well. For starters, the Fire HD 10’s charger uses a USB-C cable, and it’s estimated to last up to 12 hours of mixed usage. On the other hand, the Tab M10 is equipped with a Micro USB port, and it’s only rated to go up to 8 hours on a single charge.
For the record, the Fire HD 10 doesn’t support wireless charging, and you’ll have to opt for its slightly pricier sibling, the Fire HD 10 Plus, for that feature.
Click here for our Fire HD 10 vs Fire HD 10 Plus comparison.
Accessories and Cameras
The Fire HD 10 has more accessories than the Tab M10.
Aside from being an entertainment tablet, the Fire HD 10 is also designed to be a productivity machine. In fact, it has a bundle that includes a Bluetooth keyboard case and a one-year subscription to Microsoft 365 Personal. There’s also a bundle with a Luna Cloud Gaming Controller if you want to do some more intense gaming on the side on it. In comparison, the Tab M10 is lacking in the accessories department, but there are a couple of third-party options in the form of cases and screen protectors.
The two have the same 5-megapixel main camera and 2-megapixel front-facing camera, and needless to say, neither one stands out. They’re decent enough for taking pictures, but it has to be in an environment with good lighting. At any rate, they’re serviceable for video calls, and in this regard, the Fire HD 10 has the upper hand of having a better front camera placement. To be exact, it’s in the middle when in landscape orientation for a better viewing angle rather than on the side, as is the case with the Tab M10.
Software
The Tab M10 lets users download apps from the Google Play Store, while the Fire HD 10 is limited to the Amazon Appstore, which has a smaller selection.
Both are Android tablets, but as everyone already knows, the Fire HD 10 has a Fire OS layer on top. This is where the Tab M10 is arguably better, as it comes with a relatively purer version of Android. That means it has access to the Google Play Store with more apps and games than the Amazon Appstore, which leaves a lot to be desired.
On that note, the Fire HD 10 isn’t too bad in this regard if you’re already invested in Amazon’s ecosystem, but for other users, it might be a deal breaker. Moreover, the Tab M10 provides more room for customization by way of widgets.
Verdict
The Fire HD 10 is the better tablet than the Tab M10—that is, if you don’t mind being restricted to the Amazon Appstore.
Without a doubt, the Amazon Fire HD 10 has better specs than the Lenovo Tab M10. It has a sharper display, faster chipset, bigger storage, USB-C and more accessories. However, the Tab M10 has the advantage of having an operating system closer to stock Android. For one thing, it doesn’t have as much bloatware, and on top of that, it can download apps and games from the Play Store.
Put simply, the Fire HD 10 is the better pick for those who already use Amazon apps since it’s the better-performing tablet here. The Tab M10 is a decent choice for those who can’t make do without access to the Play Store, but they’ll have to settle for outdated features like Micro USB and a slower processor, as well as an HD screen instead of full HD.
FAQs
The Amazon Fire HD 10 has better hardware, from a higher-resolution screen to a speedier processor. However, the Lenovo Tab M10 has a cleaner version of Android and access to the Google Play Store.
It depends on where you’re coming from. For instance, the difference in performance is noticeable if you’re upgrading from the Fire 7, but from the previous iteration, the Fire HD 10 (2019), it’s more or less the same as the 2021 version, including their display and processor.
Fire tablets run on Fire OS, offering a vastly different experience compared to near-stock Android, and the Google Play Store isn’t available on them. They also can’t be customized as much, so things like widgets aren’t supported.
The Fire HD 10 is better suited for comics, graphic novels, picture books and the like. However, text is still pretty sharp on it, making it a somewhat decent option for reading e-books.