> typing is a joy on the increased size

Huh.

I hate typing on my phone (iPhone 16e). It actually never occurred to me that maybe I'd have a better time with a larger screen. Although I don't remember ever feeling the disdain I have for typing back when I had an iPhone 3GS which had a much smaller screen than the one I have now.

> Although I don't remember ever feeling the disdain I have for typing back when I had an iPhone 3GS

The touch targets on the keyboard are sloppier, and autocorrect has become a lot more opinionated since those days. It may not be the hardware you are noticing

You can try to go even smaller. Hold the world icon in the lower left of your keyboard. Then at the bottom of the pop up, select a left or right side preference and it will squish the keyboard to that side.

Makes one-handed swipe typing much easier, and feels a bit more accurate with swiping too.

I have a 12 mini. I did have an XR briefly but had to send it back because it was terrible - far too large.

When the 12/13 minis stop receiving updates I guess I’ll stop carrying a phone around. Which will actually be a good thing

Nothing (handheld) is as good as typing as my old blackberry curve though. Not even my psion5

Did you get older over the last few years? That might make a difference.