For some models, for some years, indeed, there is no need for a total start from scratch and I'm sure, as you say, a few tweaks and adjustments and mods are often all that is needed between two models, before tech/specs demands a new layout, as one can see with various iPhone boards.
That said, it does not really change the point that such a board, even one from last years phone (Snapdragon 635) in a larger case/battery/screen would make a great tablet for minimal effort.
If they had to design a tablet 100% totally from scratch, then I'd appreciate their lack of enthusiasm, however, really, as I suggest, it's mostly all, already done.
I think most people have kind of looked past tablets by now, and gone straight for the highest spec phone they can afford, which is a shame really, for everything you need to do without making a phone call, you can mostly do on a tablet, but these days if it does not fit in your pocket it is not on peoples radar.
I find myself going straight for my lenovo tablet, rather than my phone for media usage, and i have a fairly good maze alpha phone with a lovely 6 inch screen, but again i am still blown away every time i turn the tablet on, screen and speakers, lenovo really gave us a mint product when they released this one, huawei media pad 5 is also in the same league, but that is a bit outside my price point, even from china, i always get caught with irish VAT on top of the purchase price.
I do not know about you dannielll, but the price currys are charging in ireland for this lenovo, in my mind is a fraction too high, 370 euros, i could not justify that price, but then i was only recently gobsmacked by some of the prices for products here compared to england, i only last week needed to buy a lawnmower, so on the internet i went searching for the right one, a mc cullough 53 cm on amazon worked out at 380 euro delivered to ireland, i was amazed that they would even deliver it here, the same mower at the co op in mallow was 449 euro down from 559 euro. but the thought of having to box it back up and send it back if something went wrong, put me off, so i bought the one at the co op. I never knew that you could use so much plastic in these new mowers compared to my old one, and nearly half the weight. I know that the lenovo is mostly made of plastic, but the aluminium kick stand is a lovely touch, i use it a lot more than i thought i would.
Having the latest phone is never something i would hanker after, no matter how good the marketing ploy some of these companies use, but tablets is another matter, i have been spoiled by this yoga tablet, that if i do upgrade later on, it would have be something really special to tempt me away from this lenovo, and if i did find something like that, it would more than likely be well outside my price range, so long live lenovo yoga tab 3 plus.
I'm the other end of the country from you so if I needed to I can shop in Newry. However, Dundalk Currys is just as competitive !! Make of that what you will.I actually got my Lenovo in the local Argos, at what was at the time pretty competitive.
If your phone allows hotspots mine does,, then you can use it to make a GSM link for the tablet, so you get the best of both worlds, .. use the tablet for browsing at home using the home networkandaway, use the phone to communicate with tablet and have full network coverage... Since phone display is not on, that reduces consumption.. I'm with 3 and data is free.
How is this for film watching via Netflix etc?
Look it's a 10 inch screen, so cannot compare with a 65 inch 4k TV butif you are sitting close, and especially if using headphones, it is excellent. The range of screen colours and he clarity of the 2k screen.. twice as high as Full HD , means that the image is first class.. the back stand is set up for watching in landscape mode, so sitting at a table or desk,is super... It's weight would get to you if you were holding it in your hand for a 2 hour movie. .. but Netflix , Kodietc all fine...
I use the ipad on flights for films, but the battery is useless, only gets me one film to greece!
Well a fully charged yoga 3 plus is good for 10 hours plus....