A:AnswerA lot of the negative reviews on the apple site are because it's not included in the box and people are upset that they have to pay extra for it. The cable itself is great, and yes, it's the same one.
A:AnswerThe lightning end will fit an iPhone XR, but the other end is not a standard usb end. It is usb c, so you have to make sure the charger block is usb c that you will be plugging into. Likely I will say this is not what you looking for. Most blocks will be usb type a. I have included a picture of the cable that comes with the iPhone XR.
A:AnswerYou are correct...! However, this cable isn't (only) a charging cable. It is a data cable specifically designed for use with newer computers that do not have the old USB ports. With its much faster data transfer, USB Type C has been the standard for a couple of years, though "normal" USB ports are widely used for charging and are still available as data ports on many computers. Also, some sketchier or "non-compliant" cables won't work in some Apple situations.
If you just need to charge your phone, buy the cheaper Apple 3.3' USB Type A-to-Lightning Charging Cable (SKU: 6259806).
A:AnswerIf you have an iPad pro you need a USB C connector to the iPad Pro and a USB A/B 2.0 or 3.0 connector to a wall plug adapter. If you have a typical iPad or iPhone the charging connector uses the lightning port (flat ceramic end with symmetric metal fingers on both sides) to plug into the iPad or iPhone and the USB A/B 2.0 or 3.0 adapter to the wall plug. The charging cable and wall interface comes with each iPad or iPhone. The iPad pro comes with a USB C to USB C cable and a USB C wall adapter. If you didn't get a charging cable with the iPad return to the store.