People forget, but Apple faced a massive backlash in 2012 when it replaced the 30 pin connector with Lightning.
People called it a ploy to make money on cables. Tons of e-waste.
USB C devices started shipping in 2015, so one can see why they didn't want to put themselves through that again.
Adopting USB C in fall 2023 iPhones is smart, because by now everyone has USB C cables already to charge their iPads, Macs, and Apple TV remotes (yes, even that recently switched from Lightning to USB C).
They are only adopting USB-C because the EU is forcing them to, and they still are intentionally limiting features on cables that don't meet their standards (ie paying a license to Apple.)
iPads transitioned to USB C in 2018 so I think this has been in the cards for a while. We'll have to see about the cables, I don't hate the idea of of an "actually works right" certification in the chaotic USB C universe.
USB C devices started shipping in 2015, so one can see why they didn't want to put themselves through that again.
Adopting USB C in fall 2023 iPhones is smart, because by now everyone has USB C cables already to charge their iPads, Macs, and Apple TV remotes (yes, even that recently switched from Lightning to USB C).