Why can't iPhone just accept payments via contactless (either when paying online or accepting payment from someone). That would be such an enabling tech.
I distinctly remember the cringeworthy moment when they called charging more to customers as requiring courage:
Just because Square used it? I don't think so. More about thinness I'd say.
Pluggable square still worked with the dongle, but that’s moot since they moved to Bluetooth long before the change (which apple also doesn’t control.)
The change was for acquiring space and enhancing water resistance.