Think size doesn’t really matter that much? The iPhone XR actually pushes the lightning port down slightly off center to make room for the LCD display. The XR would literally be impossible to make with USB-C.
Not an obvious benefit for a largely wireless device. For the vast vast majority of people it’s only used for charging and that’s moving to wireless too.
Regardless, USB-C would not be nicer than keeping the iPhone XR as thin as it is. Lightning really makes it possible.
I was talking with an apple hardware engineer... I'm told that the jack is in some ways a limiting factor, though I'd happily take an extra .2mm of depth for universal charging :-)
Also, the iPhones do support universal charging (Qi).
Hopefully next year's models will finally make the switch!
The old solution, isn't as bad as the media portrayed it.
First, it comes with a socket to socket piece, so if you are charging at home, it's absolutely no problem.
Second, you are only doing that in "emergency" cases where you need it, but forget to charge at home.
No complaints here.
But what about headphones? Also wireless.
So the iPad becomes another device to plug your phone into, so to speak (if only to charge at first).