Yes, but they jumped pretty much the same height (at least in the short program, I haven't looked at the jump heights for the long program yet). So my point is that it would be unfair to say one skater had really good height as an argument for being a better jumper than the other or for the scoring.
The height is obviously only one bullet used to award GOE. I agree with you here and think its important to note that the height bullet is not only awarded to the highest jumper in the competition. It's very subjective. As a judge if a jump becomes under rotated how then could you award the height and distance bullet in that case? Clearly there wasn't enough height to make full rotation right. No matter how high it was. It may be the highest jump of the day but it wasn't enough for that particular jump to be successfully landed. I think it's part of the subjective nature in judging but its crucial in establishing the positive GOE before you then begin deducting points as is the required process in establishing GOE per ISU guidelines.
I wound up in a debate over establishing GOE for Yuna's 3lz the other day if it had been ruled under rotated. I was mostly playing devils advocate but if we were to assume an under rotation it becomes critical in figuring the final score of the jump. Same is true for Adelina and all other skaters.
Re: Quads and 3a....