A physical connector has an electro-mechanical function, and the PHY layer has an electronic function. Regardless the technology, both are always required. So,

A physical connector has an electro-mechanical function, and the PHY layer has an electronic function. Regardless the technology, both are always required. So, lightning located some (small) part of the PHY in the connector rather than in the client or host (where it would likely be cheaper). Apple could have merely cross-wired the pins on each side of the connector to achieve a reversible design and thus eliminated this excess complexity. I suspect the design is motivated by IP/counterfeit protection. I do not believe any of that benefits the end user at all.