Specifying 1.50 instead of 1.5 also implies that rounding was done (from an original value between 1.495 and 1.504) so it would be misleading if anything.
Though I’m not sure I even understand what the original comment is getting at, significant figures do not change that 1.48 is less than 1.5, and it is relevant to say 1.48 instead of 1.4 as it is even closer.