Not sure that makes any sense in the context of this investigation. The only possible difference including Apple would have made is in concluding that Google is

Not sure that makes any sense in the context of this investigation. The only possible difference including Apple would have made is in concluding that Google isn't dominant and thus restricting browsers and search within the license had much less material impact. In other words, it would either have no effect or have the effect of letting Google off for its restrictive practices. And investigating Apple for its licensing agreements with its hardware supplier probably would be a bit pointless. Now, should the EU be investigating the lack of hardware freedom in some ecosystems including Apple's? Sure, sounds eminently sensible. But that's completely different to what the EU was investigating here.