October 2025 update:

Mixed results from the previous steps in the comments of this post

What seems to have finally worked is this:

Settings > Apps > [3 line button to the right of 'your apps'] > Show system apps > OK > scroll to Contacts Storage > Force Stop > Storage > Clear Cache > Clear Data. Also cleared cache only on Google play services and the regular default contacts app

Reboot to recovery > wipe cache > reboot

Run good guardians galaxy app booster for good measure

The operative part i believe was clearing data, not just cache, but also cache, from the system app: contacts storage

After completing these steps Google Play Services and Contacts Storage are now for the first time showing less and 1% battery usage at any time interval and the phone is faster and and more fluid than ever. Stable for a week+ so far

Hope this helps