It seems most who are not using tech professionally don't particularly want or habituate all the multiple devices, and as such, the phone becomes their "tablet" experience. No desktop, no laptop, if there's an ipad it's in a different room, the bigger screen of the phone means they only reach for the one thing.

> I just wish it felt as thin as the 8

It's very close:

  12 mini -> 8 -> SE gen 1 (or iPhone 5)

  Height:  131.5 mm -> 138.4 mm -> 123.8 mm
  Width:    64.2 mm ->  67.3 mm ->  58.6 mm
  Depth:     7.4 mm ->   7.3 mm ->   7.6 mm
  Weight: 135 grams -> 148 grams -> 113 grams

https://www.apple.com/iphone/compare/?modelList=iphone-12-mi...

True, but the 8 was rounded at the sides, so even if technically close in size, the square edges of the recent models make the phone feel bulkier.

I also only text and play music. I get the largest phone available because I'm old and eyesight. Older people tend to have money.