I have to admit that for me, the swipe from the bottom of the screen was initially difficult to get to grips with - then, interestingly, I got used to it and now it’s just natural.
I still have an iPad mini 4 with the original home button and also a relatively unmolested series 1 iPhone SE 128GB which I use exclusively for Navigation in my vehicle.
It’s actually faster and easier to get into my iPhone 12 Pro Max - even in complete darkness!!! The facial recognition technology is light years ahead of anything else that I’ve experienced.
I believe you may have well gotten used to the swiping already - considering how long ago you posted originally

