Yea, the problem is Apple thought this was an UI improvement, but actually broke a common usage pattern. This kind of change should definitely be a setting, and considered thoroghly before changing the default. This is poor design and lack of QA, not a bug, per se. But the result is even worse because it means the previous functionality likely isn't coming back.

Definitely a failing of understanding how real people use the software here. Frustratingly, Apple has a tendency to dismiss users who have different intentions than the product manager thinks they “should” have. Even if most users would want a certain behavior, they are “courageous” enough to tell users they’re all wrong and they should use it a different way. Funnily enough, the infamous Apple discussions forum features volunteers who consistently have that same attitude. Fans who have internalized the Apple “we know best” principle.

So I also wouldn’t bet on the feature coming back.

It's a trade-off. It could be a setting, but if one adds too many settings then the space of possible options gets huge and bloated leading to bugs and complexity for the users and I already barely know how to use iPadOS.

"If you ask a user what percentage of Word features they use, they will tell you 10%. But if you ask multiple users which 10% they use, they will all give you a different 10%."

How do you know this was common? How many people did you survey?

Apple may actually know this was uncommon.