Compared to what? Parallel? Maybe, if you don't need the structural rigidity. Banana plugs? Definitely. USB-C? Fuck no! But it is also older than USB-C, so that's fair.
Lightning is rounded and thus easier to insert. It doesn’t scratch the surface of whatever you‘re trying to plug it in to and on top of that it slightly clicks into place. Just by itself, the plug is superior yes.
Because when they switched from the 30 pin connector to lightning, everybody bitched and moaned about it. So they promised they’d keep lightning for a decade. It’s been 11 years.
But I’m sure if they’d broken their promise and switched earlier, everyone would have been understanding.
Phones go in pockets. Pockets have lint. Lightning ports are way easier to clean than USB-C.
iPads and Macbooks mostly stay in the house or get carried in a bag rather than a pocket. Way less lint, so the benefits of USB-C far outweigh the benefits of Lightning here.
I said easier to clean not that it catches less lint. I could even use a toothpick for my iPhone. Nothing thicker than a sim tool worked for my Oneplus and that had trouble getting it all out. Even most NEEDLES I had were too thick.