I'm a Linux user so of course I think like this, but: why use the native terminal tabs? I use Kitty with window decorations turned off, and Zellij provides all the UI I need.
You're right, good question. At least partially, habit and muscle memory. I'm used to the keybindings, and the behavior for navigating tabs/splits/panes (across macOS, Windows, and Linux).
But also, native splits/panes and tabs cover 90% of what I really want from a multiplexer, so it's easier for me personally to stick with familiar behavior than to integrate another tool into my workflow just to recreate it.
But also, native splits/panes and tabs cover 90% of what I really want from a multiplexer, so it's easier for me personally to stick with familiar behavior than to integrate another tool into my workflow just to recreate it.