I think there is more emotional payoff here but I wouldn't say it's transformative. The important thing is that most characters are not being set up solely for a future arc, there is a genuine arc that our leads are going through with a promised payoff, and with it, emotional moments that result of that. Chani/Zendaya especially drive this. I still think there is a sterile-ness to it overall and I don't know, lack of a fully human touch that prevents it from being this 'all time great' that some declared, but it is a fair improvement.
I think this is why I don't consider it leagues over the first, fundamentally I think the two movies could stand to be a little weirder and a little less overly serious. Don't get me wrong, there is more humor in this film but the seriousness of its characters and tone feels oppressive in both films still. I guess it was never reasonable to expect they'd change much gears, but it's also why I can't consider one hugely better than the other.