Well I'm happy to have a bit slower phone to be able to use it fully for 7 years, with all security updates and current apps (again, with their respective security updates).

Did you actually daily drive one? Because I did use an iPhone 6S for its full software support span (7 years) and yes, by the end of 2022 it was definitely the fastest kid on the block. But to run messaging apps, play music, grab quick pictures and scroll memes in the subway, it's more than fine.