When I play I prefer to use the Touchscreen that's available, it's pretty handy and lets me respond quickly. Plus, auto-play is useful for farming low level areas. How do you usually play? Use touch screen? the controller? Handheld style or in console form? And finally how often do you use the auto-play function?
I pretty much play as you do, Revan. Auto play on the lower levels and the touch play to deal with the levels I haven't beaten before.
Currently I just always use auto-play x) I'm just spamming the 2nd area. I also use the touch screen.
I don't really like auto-play sometimes because I feel like the AI kinda makes decisions that are somewhat questionable (or at least, I'm afraid of the such) so for the most part, around my team level I don't use auto-play and only really do so on really weak areas.
Autoplay was a blessing, when you're just grinding ingredients you can boot up a mission and leave your phone or Switch alone for a bit.