[macintux]

I think there's a point there about what comes in the box. If this is your first iPhone, your first Bluetooth-capable device, yes, you're stuck with awkward compromises without spending more money.

Still, for most people it's not their first such device, so they already typically have their own infrastructure of chargers and BT headsets etc.

[eyelidlessness]

Apple has certainly slimmed down what comes with an iPhone, but from the cheapest single port iPhone to the most expensive, they all can charge and play music at the same time without spending or acquiring anything else.