This is indeed an issue, many usb 2 style chargers only provide 500ma per port, the Pi 3 is recommended for use with 2.5A power supplies. The official FAQ calls this out as well.

Even many wall chargers don’t provide this - the standard one shipped with an iPhone that many people likely have isn’t powerful enough either.

> https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/faqs/

The only time I have ever witnessed a Pi actually using 2.5A is when it had an official touch screen attached, a camera running, as well as something in each USB port.

I think continuous 2.5A is not needed, but is needed for an instant or two, here and there, if you are running headless.

All most people would need is a sizeable capacitor across the input power pins, perhaps.

Power supplies (people buying cheap ones, or being supplied with cheap ones -- looking at you, Amazon raspi kit sellers) are the number one source of failures that I have encountered with the pi.

A good power supply is a lot more expensive than a cheap one, and people are reluctant to invest in a $20 supply when a $5 one has the same rating, so I can't blame anyone for that other than the sellers.

You’re absolutely right, the power draw is hugely affected by how many USB devices you attach etc. Stick with the recommended 2.5A though and you are likely to be fine. Much of the issues low power causes are often weird as well, it’s often not obvious it’s the root cause.

I have two that run all the time, and have been for over a year. I access them strictly via SSH, and they're always plugged into the wall. So, you may be on to something.

That said, I do agree with OP's dislike of SD cards. I've had more than my share go bad in other devices.

True, I would much prefer eMMC at a minimum (or a SATA connector and/or USB3 port that could boot an SSD and take advantage of its speed). I would definitely pay extra for these types of features vs. having to use SD