Remote is over-romanticized. For many, esp. in tech, 2020 was a year of being an underpants warrior, making a non-adjusted wage while reaping savings from not paying for services that are contemplated in your cost-of-living wage. It was a year of living largely on your terms, reasonable or not. There was zero external mental stimulation, allowing people to live in a bubble of familiarity and comfort. It was an "up" year, almost like a paid sabbatical.
Unfortunately this is not reality. This is life as a 14 yr old, living under your parent's roof, not paying rent, and doing chores because you have to.
Return to the office is not about "I'm more productive at home" vs "watercoolers build products". It is working for a company that is attempting to foster a learning culture where you are surrounded by diversity and around interesting challenges and conversation - something that you can't get talking to your 2 yr old at home. The company is investing in people, and hoping those people will one day lead their organization.
End of the day, if you just want to punch the clock and collect a check, you probably don't like where you work. You just like the money and the self-fulfilling challenges the company pays you to solve. You don't like your office desk, your co-workers, or wearing pants. It's a selfish endeavor, and you end up writing angry letters to your boss lamenting the loss of your bubble.
I happen to like going to the office. It offers structure and a clear delineation of home and work. There's broader mental stimulation, and many forced encounters that are beneficial to me that I wouldn't ordinarily seek out. And I'm surrounded by different people who share a common passion. It's not always pleasant, but I learn more through these encounters than spending the entire day staring at a pane of glass, talking through messaging and awkward video calls.
I hope Apple frees up their desks for those that really want to be a part of Apple. In 2021, we find out who was just in it for the paycheck and was just too lazy to find someplace else to work.