That's the thing, I actually think that's just how people without absolute pitch think it would be like, but everyone with absolute pitch that I've talked to describe different pitches as different "buckets" - categorically, qualitatively distinct.

edit: I suspect this conversation won't lead anywhere because there isn't good language to talk about phenomenology. But I think we both understand the other's hypothesis.

Sure, I just wanted to point out the phenomenon of conflating it with musical talent. I'm not suggesting it's an uninteresting concept or isn't worthy of thought/discussion