If I wanted something in the 8" range, I'd consider a GPD Win Max. But it looks like you're already looking at the GPD Micro which saves space by not having a controller built in.

My tech EDC used to be a Macbook Air 11" which I used as a writing and super light internet machine. But this is a little too big to carry everywhere unless you already have a reasonably sized backpack.

Honestly, if you're trying to use VSCode or a similar IDE on a phone I'm not 100% sure what the issue is. I don't know your exact limitations and don't presume to—but have you given a lot of thought to carrying a separate small keyboard and connecting that to a larger Android phone?

I think the reason 7" netbooks died is because phones completely devoured that market. Are you sure you can't find a phone + keyboard combo which could serve your needs?