@holofloh You weren't lying... Great results with M5Stamp C3
If anyone comes across this thread who are also disappointed by their generic WROOM-32 modules. Just buy the M5Stamp C3, they aren't much more (actually the same price when compared to the generic WROOM-32 modules on amazon!!) and they made my phone RSSI go from -80ish to -60 at the same distance and lower transmission power! My Watch transmission power i kept the same but it went from -85 to -60ish as well! That's a truly insane gain for such a small little thing. The generic modules trace antenna just doesn't cut it!
Plus they have a fun RGB LED you can configure!
I'm convinced, I'm going full M5Stamp!