So like I said, regardless if they get to decide or not, "they aren't building them in".
The company has decided not to put that hardware into the phones. The company doesnt want it. The conpany is not employing 3.5mm enthusiasts. The company doesnt like your ungrounded analog hardware being plugged into their digital inputs. The company has decided to allow USB-C adapters to fill the void of people who want to use analog equipment. The company hires people, but obviously they dont have anyone saying " ohhh what are we doing? We need to give TrickDacy a headphone slot!!"
Thats not how it works? Because im pretty sure thats how it works.