They should just let us install icon packs, third party launchers are broken since A12 or A11 if you use full screen gestures (and I would not use android buttons even if I get paid for it lol).
Use a pie launcher that can emulate the back button, like LMT Launcher. The back button will always be about an inch from wherever your thumb already happens to be.
Huh, I've only ever used Nova Launcher since full screen gestures were introduced, and I've never had a problem, but maybe I'm missing a feature the stock launcher provides?
The only annoying thing is the useless unhidable navigation pill, but there's a Magisk module to hide it.
If your device has more than 60 hz, perhaps that feature might mask this a bit, but definitely stock launcher will always have smoother animations than third parties if you are using full screen gestures, I am currently in MIUI (I was on AOSP before) and well, I can't even install another launcher here, but I can confirm it is as smooth as it can be.
No, I wish I did though.
I have a Pixel 6A currently running Android 15
The stock launcher might be smoother but I have pretty much only used it for 1 weeks time in total before I get frustrated as hell and switch back to Nova my beloved.