My interests are mobile phones and airplanes (mainly airliners).

Same here, I should probably start using Pro.

I wish my Zenfone was like this! Punch on the left, everything else on the right. Also, allow me to view seconds there!

Just like Nextbit!

Yes, AI here, AI there, nobody cares.

I know I'm 3 days late, but here's what's new specifically (copied from my Reddit post):

1:Keyboard looks different

2: The apps don't really seem to be different from Android 13/ZenUI 10 to Android 14/ZenUI 11 (contrary to the changelog)

3: New back arrow gesture design! (It's so satisfying! I can play with it for hours!)

4: Flashlight can blink for notifications and ringtones (and the screen can be set to pulse a color for notifications, too!)

5: "Touch sounds" renamed to "Tap and click sounds"

6: New battery chart

7: Color of clock on lock screen can be changed separately from theme

8: Monochrome theme

9: SOT indicator is back!

10: Media player has some slight design tweaks (and new animations)

However, bootloader unlock is still unavailable.

Next up: A screen as bright as the sun.

I agree. Why does EVERYTHING need AI???

Nobara, but same overall.

Get an AMD card. Or maybe try Nobara or Pop OS.