By combining PoE in and PoE out into one port on new products, we get a 100% cost saving, but also a practically unusable port. Who thought of such stupidity?
Really, couldn't you go back to the original concept of separate PoE in and PoE out ports?

Initially I was also thinking along those lines but it seems this was done to feed previous ISP equipment which could then be powered from AX3/AX2.
And then provide internet back to that AX2/AX3.
A device will rarely be used for both functions at the same time (powering other PoE while being powered itself through PoE).
There will be cases, yes, but certainly in the niche area.

As users we are not always aware of the requirements ISP/distributors present to Mikrotik for their devices.
So you can be certain this was looked at from every angle.

If you don't need that port to power ISP equipment, ROS is flexible enough to let you configure any of the other ports as WAN input.
And then ether1 becomes available again to power other devices.