I started playing back in late season 4 (fond memories of 
using feral flare), and I've gotten to gold the past couple seasons, already being back there myself. I had learned from my Diamond brother that a big thing holding me back is playing with a locked screen, but it seems no matter what i try, I keep reverting back. If anyone has any advice to help me out, it'd be very appreciated :D
Its just preference. Even if you learned how to play with an unlocked screen, you're not going to jump from Gold to Diamond.
It depends on the champions. Personally id prefer being able to zoom out just a tad more, so you can see the end of the longest skill of a champ besides "globals". Though most of it is also which direction you are going..... from red to blue side you will see less than the blue to red side.
Generally speaking, it is preference like said above. I remember watching something on YT a while back that took an objective look at the differences. It was a channel something like Jeremy Gaming Curios. Might have been him actually, I'll check when I get the chance. Either way, I believe he came to the same conclusion.
