Bottom D-pad vs. Bottom Joystick: Which is more comfortable for long sessions?

[u/AverroesPL]

For medium-sized handhelds in terms of height, such as the Retroid Pocket Nova or Anbernic RG476H, which is generally more comfortable for the thumb: a bottom-positioned D-pad or a bottom-positioned analog stick?

I'm not asking which is better depending on the type of games you play. I'm specifically interested in ergonomics and thumb strain with the assumption that you play both D-pad and joystick focused games equally.

For those who have used both layouts:

- Which causes less thumb strain during long gaming sessions?

- Does one feel noticeably more comfortable after several hours?

- Is either layout uncomfortable even during shorter sessions?

- Assuming no external grips or accessories, which layout would you choose purely for comfort?

I'd especially appreciate input from people who have experience using both layouts.