diff --git a/chrome/android/java/src/org/chromium/chrome/browser/init/AsyncInitializationActivity.java b/chrome/android/java/src/org/chromium/chrome/browser/init/AsyncInitializationActivity.java
index d9eacfc087da..1af2d853196f 100644
--- a/chrome/android/java/src/org/chromium/chrome/browser/init/AsyncInitializationActivity.java
+++ b/chrome/android/java/src/org/chromium/chrome/browser/init/AsyncInitializationActivity.java
@@ -110,13 +110,14 @@ protected void attachBaseContext(Context newBase) {
         // On N+, Chrome should always retain the tab strip layout on tablets. Normally in
         // multi-window, if Chrome is launched into a smaller screen Android will load the tab
         // switcher resources. Overriding the smallestScreenWidthDp in the Configuration ensures
-        // Android will load the tab strip resources.
-        // See crbug.com/588838, crbug.com/662338, crbug.com/780593.
+        // Android will load the tab strip resources. See crbug.com/588838.
         if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.N) {
-            Configuration overrideConfiguration = new Configuration();
-            overrideConfiguration.smallestScreenWidthDp =
-                    DeviceFormFactor.getSmallestDeviceWidthDp();
-            applyOverrideConfiguration(overrideConfiguration);
+            if (DeviceFormFactor.isTablet()) {
+                Configuration overrideConfiguration = new Configuration();
+                overrideConfiguration.smallestScreenWidthDp =
+                        DeviceFormFactor.getSmallestDeviceWidthDp();
+                applyOverrideConfiguration(overrideConfiguration);
+            }
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/ui/android/java/src/org/chromium/ui/base/DeviceFormFactor.java b/ui/android/java/src/org/chromium/ui/base/DeviceFormFactor.java
index fb4e10740e27..9c538a8113f1 100644
--- a/ui/android/java/src/org/chromium/ui/base/DeviceFormFactor.java
+++ b/ui/android/java/src/org/chromium/ui/base/DeviceFormFactor.java
@@ -23,12 +23,15 @@ public class DeviceFormFactor {
     public static final int MINIMUM_TABLET_WIDTH_DP = 600;
 
     /**
-     * @return Whether the app should currently treat the device as a tablet for layout. This method
-     *         is not affected by Android N multi-window, but can change for external displays.
-     *         E.g. http://developer.samsung.com/samsung-dex/testing
+     * @return Whether the app should treat the device as a tablet for layout. This method is not
+     *         affected by Android N multi-window.
      */
     @CalledByNative
     public static boolean isTablet() {
+        // On some devices, OEM modifications have been made to the resource loader that cause the
+        // DeviceFormFactor calculation of whether a device is using tablet resources to be
+        // incorrect. Check which resources were actually loaded rather than look at screen size.
+        // See crbug.com/662338.
         return ContextUtils.getApplicationContext().getResources().getBoolean(R.bool.is_tablet);
     }