Kiltie: "Autobrake is applied on mainwheel touchdown quicker than my reaction would be to start applying them manually"
Why would you need brake application immediately on mainwheel touchdown?
There is no need for that unless you're a cadet pilot who is scared to run off the pavement long before you reach the end. All you're doing is heating up and using up the brakes early for no reason and only minimal braking effect.
Let reverse thrust and the spoilers do their job of initial deceleration before stomping on the brakes. Or you can select auto brakes
after landing . . .when you're half way down the pavement if you're so apprensive of using your feet on the pedals.
Except for the RTO function, auto brakes are not ideal in all situations, especially not on long runways where reverse and spoilers alone will slow you to virtual taxi speed.