Thanks, Mark. Yes, it's an important aspect of the whole issue and many Apple sympathizers do not mention it for obvious reasons, which is definitely wrong.

In any case it seems that we are out of luck for another year regarding iPhones and USB-C. If leakers are to be believed (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_UT8dEWbOc) the final CAD designs still show the Lightning port, even for the Pro models. I had written this piece some days back so I could not have known. Oh, well.