> Most of the things one would do with the 2x can be had by just walking a bit closer to the subject
Except for the main reason I ever used it: depth of field and more natural proportions.
Digital zoom can’t do that and no portrait mode is not the same.
On my old phone I would often switch to 2x and walk away from the subject to get a better photo.
Here’s a good example of how faces change when shot with different focal lengths: https://imgur.io/gallery/ZKTWi
But the 0.5x very frequently enables indoor shots that are impossible to get otherwise. Because you can't back up for a wider view if you're next to a wall.
Apple chose well.