Oils are definitely not equal. There are a bunch of industry standard ASTM test. Pennzoil, Valvoline and Castrol love to boast when they exceed an industry standard test by 30% or more. There are oils that flow better cold, maintain viscosity better, have higher flash points, more refined base oil (group II, III, III+, IV V). We know even within the same brand they are not equal. Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy and extended performance use considerably better base oil than vs standard Mobil 1 even though they all meet Dexos gen2 and SN plus specs.Pennzoil ultra platinum has clearly better detergent pack (a bunch of calcium) than regular platinum. Half these standardize specs have more do to with SAPs, fuel economy, LSPI and have nothing to do with friction protection.
I have a 4k TV and pay $4 extra a month for 4k Netflix and the only time I have ever benefited is by pushing the info button to verify the live data speed difference between 4k and 1080p. I can't see a bit of difference but its there. Just because you don't benefit from better doesn't mean its not better. 95% of you are changing your oil too conservatively to see any difference from a better oil, 95% of you don't drive anything or any style that you will see any benefit from better oil and 95% of you will easily be able to mitigate any deficit with inferior oil by modifying maintenance schedules/practices.
I have a 4k TV and pay $4 extra a month for 4k Netflix and the only time I have ever benefited is by pushing the info button to verify the live data speed difference between 4k and 1080p. I can't see a bit of difference but its there. Just because you don't benefit from better doesn't mean its not better. 95% of you are changing your oil too conservatively to see any difference from a better oil, 95% of you don't drive anything or any style that you will see any benefit from better oil and 95% of you will easily be able to mitigate any deficit with inferior oil by modifying maintenance schedules/practices.