The split definitely helps nudge a new hire to be happier with the offer, all things, being equal, because many hires are still unknowledgeable about the fact t

The split definitely helps nudge a new hire to be happier with the offer, all things, being equal, because many hires are still unknowledgeable about the fact that the number of options is irrelevant (like you say), and there is also the subconscious satisfaction of seeing big numbers next to our names that is hard to fight.