That seems to be a fairly normal processing times these days. You can call but would only do so if your processing is significantly outside the norm. If 6+ months longer than others for example action may be taken but if others have similar processing times nothing will actually be done even if your case is reported.
your first point is right even though it hurts. The processing time can be something and the real processing time can be something else ( so seeing who’s getting PR is the wiser choice )
for your second point it’s absolute BS. You just picked a number ( 6 months ) and said call after you pass this timeline to get answer which has no evidence backing it . I called many times after passing the processing time and got an answer for what I asked for THE NEXT DAY.
So yeah hereforhelp I advice you keep calling and hope for an answer it’s a luck game from now on.