It's got a few more options for different settings than my previous washer did, as well as a steam setting that's only available with certain programs.
It also has a couple of toggles for things like "extra rinse" and "wash faster".
Having four knobs and three toggles, two of which are context dependent on one or more knob settings would be confusing, so it uses a screen with a knob and a couple of buttons.

It's perfectly possible to use standing at the machine, but I also noticed that the last time I needed to change a setting I did so on my phone is all.