It shouldn't have even been an upgrade, let alone way better. It should've just been Diamond with lava safety.
What we need is a bunch of side grades with different properties so people can have a different experience or just collect everything.
Power creep is the reason you don't bother with leather or gold currently unless you're a speedrunner getting it on a random chance. We don't.
They did right with Gold by giving another use but fucked up with Netherite.