I never mentioned an iMac. I mentioned a Mac Mini. I think you have me confused with someone else.
You are correct. Apple purposely gimps the mini so it does not compete with the iMac and MacBook Pro. It angers me, and is a reason I’ll not get a mini.
A couple years ago when they did have discrete GPU, it was the prior generation AND had half the amount of RAM for the GPU than anyone would deem a minimum amount.