From AFM INTRODUCTION:
"This Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) is a reference document published in English. iT IS NOT ESTABLISHED AS AN OPERATIONAL DOCUMENT TO BE USED DIRECTLY BY THE CREW IN FLIGHT. Flight crew documents available in flight must include an Operational Manual, with appropriate contents and language as required by the National Regulations."
Now what are you going to follow FCTM , FCOM or AFM?
I have a better one : maximum tailwind for take off and landing on AFM it says 10 knots, on FCOM maxi tailwind is 15 kts. Which one do you apply?
And I will pass on the differences between AFM and FCOM as this is not the subject here
FCOM clearly says thrust levers. AFM clearly says apply N1 50% of N1. Still my reference document is the Flight Crew Operating Manual where it clearly states Levers.
The fact that the aircraft was demonstrated and gained certification probably in the most restrictive conditions does not constitute a procedure itself for flight crew , our reference is and will remain the FCOM.
Why did Airbus change the wording between AFM and FCOM , why the wording used in FCOM is different ? Simply because they mean otherwise