notlimey wrote:
I bought a new phone through my phone company, Koodo mobile - I ordered an iPhone SE (2) and it came in the full Apple box with phone, and that cable all nestled in their spots.
https://www.koodomobile.com/phones?INTCMP=KMNew_NavMenu_Shop_Phones#all_phones
Sounds like someone took out the in-box cable and replaced it with a completely different one. Totally unethical, possibly illegal, and there's likely nothing you can do about it now. You might consider lodging a complaint. You never know. Perhaps they'll send you a replacement as a courtesy.
That being said, getting a MFi certified cable is pretty simple and inexpensive. I personally have never bought an Apple OEM Lightning cable; every one I have came in a box with an iPhone or iPad. Quite a few people still use more common and less expensive USB-A power outlets, computers, power adapters, etc. I have yet to see a public USB-A power outlet. Even those with the newer USB-C to Lightning cables in the box might not even use them, although they can be used with USB-A with an adapter. A lot of these come in multi-packs and even in longer lengths than the standard Apple ones that come in the box.
https://www.amazon.ca/USB-Lightning-Cable/s?k=USB+Lightning+Cable