Datagrid 2 (and even the old template grid) have the refresh time functionality which allows for very natural refreshes.
We are now in a situation were we really need the gallery to use the amount of columns, however, we cannot because we'd lose the refresh. If we were to pick an old template grid the entire styling would like different and we'd lose the manner of filtering that users have grown used to with datagrid 2, because the old template grid works with those outdated search options and not combobox like at all.
Though the refresh isn't the only thing lacking in the gallery widget compared to the datagrid 2 (please add filter over association support as well), this would help a lot to make our lives easier.
Fully agree - there shouldn't be any difference in the basic capabilities of these data widgets. (that should apply to all similar widgets)
It's quite annoying to have to make a choice based on minor features that could probably be easily harmonized.