That would double the amount of iPhone models they need to manufacture and sell. It might happen, but Apple likes thin product lines.

> That would double the amount of iPhone models they need to manufacture and sell.

Aren't they already doing that with the US iPhone 14 models now having no SIM tray vs the rest of the world with SIM trays?

Not an expert but I would think not putting a board in is way easier than putting in a different one. It's also harder to manage supply for two different boards with different connectors, making different cables, split the accessories ecosystem etc.

Apple, esp. under Tim Cook, is super efficient when it comes to this stuff.

They could do the same for EU iPhones; sell them without a physical port and make people charge wirelessly.

True, but that sounds like a PR nightmare. In that case I would expect them to go no-ports worldwide and claim that their amazing MagSafe charging is superior and how bold they are.

They couldn't. They already have mediocre market share here.

You really think Apple applied for a patent for Lightning in 2002? 5 years before the first iPhone and 10 years before the first iPhone that had Lightning?