why would anyone want to change the temperature? as far as it solder things, that's fine. are there any practical uses of being able to change the temperature?
You have Lead free solder, there you should use lower temperature. You also have to increase the temperature if you dont have enough power to heat up some big metal objects, or the temperature is not sensed in the tip.
Someone will make a comment about getting a better iron, instead of increasing the temperature, obviously, they are the guys who tell you that you should drive a Ford F450 to work, just in case you need it.
For lead free solder you have INCREASE temperature, not lower it. But only till a max of 350-375.
Going higher can result in burning your flux, oxidating the tip resulting in even lesser heat transfer giving even worse result.
That is where a good soldering station with enough power comes in.
Even with lower temps, I rarely go above 325c on lead free 250-275 on lead, you get good solder joints as it, depending brand/type/short tips or cartridges, has much better and faster control giving a more consistent temp.
Of course, there is a differnce when soldering smal diy dual layer pcbs or soldering or reworking multilayer boards.
The plumber has a soldering iron, the electronics engineer has a soldering station.
Totally agree.
If you want to do plumbing, get a solder iron.
Of you want to solder electronics stuff, get a good solder station.