Client said my fades looked 'too uniform' and it got me thinking

Had a guy in the chair last Tuesday, regular for about 6 months now. He's usually quiet, just scrolls his phone. Out of nowhere he says my fades look factory made, like a sticker. Said he wanted more texture, more natural blend, whatever that means. At first I was annoyed, been doing fades for 11 years and my books full. But then I looked at his hair after I finished and he had a point. My lines are so crisp they look stamped on. Started trying a lighter hand with the clippers on the next few clients, leaving a bit more weight in the mid section. One guy asked if I did something different, said it felt softer. So now I'm second guessing my whole approach. Anyone else run into a client who actually knew what they were talking about and it messed with your head? How do you balance a sharp fade with keeping it looking natural?