Comment by crote

That's not how USB-C works.

Unlike Apple's late Lightning connector, USB-C isn't two sets of mirrored pins. The power pins are simply shorted together on both sides, four pins each for VBUS and GND. USB2 and CC (connection detection) are connected only on one side. The remaining pins are four high-speed lanes, two per side.

With rare exceptions, a USB-C cable does not do anything about reversibility. It simply connects the pins straight-trough to its partner on the other plug. The lane swapping needed for the high-speed lanes is done by the devices, not the cable.

The Apple cable is so complicated because it is a 40Gbps cable over 100cm long. This means it requires a redriver to guarantee signal integrity. That's what the big chip is for. Doing that in the small space available in a plug means your routing gets complicated.