I don't think it's generational at all, doing things on a phone is pretty objectively less comfortable.
You can even see the same with games. All these kids growing up playing games on their iPads are really good at using those crappy touchscreen controls to play. Do you think they'd find using a physical controller comfortable? Maybe after a lot of practice, but why switch if you're already good at using the touch controls?
Although personally still not used to controllers. I mostly play FPS so that's only KB+M.
An iPad has a big enough screen to not really obstruct anything important. It should be no less precise than a controller since it typically mimics the same joystick and buttons you'd have on a controller.
Having to carry a controller around is going to have a big impact on comfort.