If you do not see the advantage, just keep the default keymaps. I will replace only app file manually and won't use OTA update, no problem
. (Or I'll create a script which will restore custom settings after OTA update).
Just my point of view - I use HW keys wherever possible as I do not like to hunt for small icons or touch the screen if not absolutely necessary. From my experience HW navigation is much faster (this is why I bought 626 in first place), but of course yours might differ.