Yes, you can. Get a USB C to Lightning cable or just a simple USB A to USB C adapter. Here's 2 for 7 bucks:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EL4PVFE/ref=oh_aui_de...
> - If you buy standard aux headphones, you have to keep track of the tiny dongle
Or buy lots of tiny dongles and keep them attached to your headphones? Honestly I just use the lightning set included with the phone.
> - You can't charge your iPhone while using wired headphones
Yes, you can.
https://smile.amazon.com/Lightning-Adapter-Charger-Earphones...
> - No more Macsafe chargers which have saved me so many times
Not quite true:
https://smile.amazon.com/USB-C-Magnetic-Adapter-MacBook-Alum...
> - A touchbar that I'm sure I could get used to, but haven't seen a compelling use case yet
Ok, you get one. I don't see a point to it either.
So yeah, you'll need to buy some accessories and yeah, Apple should have included all of that stuff at no cost ... buy hey, they're probably making big $$$ on the dongles they sell directly.