I only have experience with the "not very smart" programmable thermostats, which I adore. I've had one for over a decade with no issues. When I bought another house, it was one of the first things I put in. It's "slightly" easier (lower effort) to program it once and never touch it again (except for "exceptions") then to try to remember each time I move from zone to zone or go to work. Definitely pays for itself in net lower energy (unless you're super diligent yourself, which I am not!)

Imagine every switch in your house was just a screen, you had to swipe to unlock it, and then find the light switch you're standing at in a list of all switches in the house. That would be a nightmare.