Android does not access xhdpi folder for tablet view

Question

I have both hdpi and xhdpi folders in my res folder. However, android makes use of hdpi xml file for 1280 X 800 resolution of a tablet. Could it be because my xml file accesses resources which are in drawable-hdpi folder but not in drawable-xhdpi folder?

Answer 1

Not all android devices are set to the right density by the manufacturer, its really a hodgepodge of densities no matter what resolution you think you have, the device could still be seen by the android OS as a lower or different density than you think

if the android OS thinks your device is HDPI then it will access HDPI drawables

Answer 2

I think you are confused with DPI vs screen sizes, which resolution along does not provide. You can have a XHDPI device with a small screen that is very high resolution (such as the Galaxy S3) or a MDPI or LDPI device with a very large screen (such as when you use Android on your TV).

Generally speaking, Dot per pixel = Resolution / Screen size.