It doesn’t seem to be a full system update but a SmartThings Framework update that caused the issue.

Yes

For the case for my poco x3 I only debloated once when I got my phone and it remain bloatware free ever since.

Debloat with adb or shizuku?

It seems to be the same size as this?

I think it just means google would stop selling it as the new google TV streamer is up for sale. My Chromecast from 2015 is still working till this day.

Nothing to see here.