Default mail reader only accessible by configuring Mail app?

I saw the topic covered here in 2023 Making Outlook for Mac default email app - Apple Community

but it was closed without being addressed. Why does MacOS require a full configuration of Apple Mail in order to set the default mail client? It could easily be configured to not force configuraiton connecting to a mail server. Why could this not be moved to the System Settings as default web browser was moved at some point? This used to be the same logic with using another browser than Safari (you had to change it in Safari). Please don't close this unless it's addressed.