Physically, maybe. (I don't know.) Legally and economically, I don't think Samsung can just use lightning without having to pay Apple.
replyWithout the EU mandate, perhaps I would still have a Lightning port in my instead of the currently broken USB-C port.
replyI never had a Lightning port fail.
Good on you!
replyI just wish that all of them would be legal, and consumer like you be allowed to pick what they like best.