I like thumb to unlock myself. Main reason I'm on iphone 8 for ... forever probably.

I have trouble with FaceID but I also have trouble reconciling my experiences with other people's reports of perfect flawlessness.

It might be that people have the attention awareness on/off, use the phones in very different conditions, etc.

yup... have the iPad Pro 11 & an older mini (use that for the gym/cardio and when I don't want to lug something so big around)... I do not use FaceID at all. Tried it, yet went back to the Pin.