That is not the same as disabling the entire USB data stack. iPhones have been charging by default, and prompting to sync, since time immemorial.
This is a new feature, that logically disables the USB port after 7 days without unlocking.
This is a new feature, that logically disables the USB port after 7 days without unlocking.
Let me know if I'm missing something, but I get no change in Device Manager/dmesg when plugging my phone in, indicating no data connection to me. It would appear the entire data connection is disabled until a mode is picked.
What Apple is doing is _additionally_ disabling the USB port on an even lower level. Currently, the port could still exchange data if it were tricked or hacked, but disabling the port on a controller level will prevent accessing the device entirely.
Or at least that's the theory. Since it can obviously be reconnected after entering a passcode, there are conceivably ways to get it to open up. But that will have to be tested.
Apple's own guide doesn't seem to indicate any form of interaction is needed to enable that interface. That interface is what's attacked by devices like GreyKey if I'm not mistaken. Android devices when not manually unlocked and toggled present no such interface.