I'm aware of the difference, and it's not a new thing. I remember preordering physical console games for the OG Xbox and getting it a couple days early. The same exists for Magic: the Gathering sets.

That style is usually called "pre-release," which differs from "early access," which is Steam's term for communicating that something is unfinished yet available for purchase. Baldur's Gate 3 followed the "early access" model where the first act was available three years before full release. Starfield followed the "pre-release" model (though called "early access") where the full game was available about 4 days early if you paid a bit extra, but the game didn't differ from what was available on the regular release date (except whatever bug fixes were made in those 4 days).

I understand not wanting to pay extra for a "pre-release," but I don't understand writing a game off entirely just because it offers that option. However, I do understand writing a game off if it's in "early access" because many games never actually release and the game is just a buggy mess. If there's an official release date, I'll usually wait a week or so to get reviews from regular people. If it's in "early access," I'm not going to expect an official release anytime soon and will usually just wishlist and check back later (unless the game like really good, reviews are good, and I'm okay with the game changing significantly; e.g. Palworld).

So that's why I think they meant Steam's "early access" (no set release date) since the AAA "pre-release" is just a money grab that you can avoid by waiting a week and says nothing about the quality of the game (it'll be just as buggy on the official launch date).