I think I will chime in again, I have posted in this thread before some positive views on the new PHB and while I have not had the chance to play with the new rules yet (an do not expect to soon) I have had a chance to build a few characters. Both new characters and conversions of existing characters.
To Recap:
The book layout is excellent, and the rules seem clear, (there are known issues), well laid out, and all in the one place. This is a big improvement, but I reserve the option to change my mind because aside from the known and obvious issues, other issues may crop up in the course of actual use in play. Also, the DMG may bring other issues to light.
This ease of use will be most noticeable to new players.
The power of classes has been boosted from the floor of 2014, but I think the ceiling is pretty much the same. I think the wizard is still on top, but the sorcerer is now competitive. I think the power spread is less. I am not sure that there is any class that is now truely simple with the addition of weapon masteries. This is another thing that cannot be really evaluated outside of play.
Backgrounds is the most disappointing area for me, in the book. I think that there are not enough backgrounds to cover what is needed and the background format is too restrictive. While it is easy to intuit how to construct custom backgrounds, this should have been included in the book.
Also, I think it is disappointing that A.S.I.'s and the feats are incorporated into the backgrounds.
The origin feats are uneven in power level, too much so in my opinion. They vary from ones like Alert that are very strong to ones that are little more than ribbons.
The general feats on the other had are excellent. My perception of character building has shifted from being very reluctant (using the 2014 rules) to use feats to becoming very reluctant (in the 2024 rules) to using an A.S.I. To me this is a positive as I like feats in general as they give more variety and flexibility to a character.
To new players and groups, I would be unequivocal in recommending this version of the rules over 2014. To an existing group, my advice would be more nuanced and depend on how they felt about the existing rules.