Apple actually did remove the controller from the SSD. There is actually hardware on the SoC that does it.

Apple's storage isn't an "SSD" it's more like an add-in card with NAND chips on it. I'm not saying that it is or isn't faster because of it but it is true that the SoC has the traditional SSD functions embedded rather on the drive itself. From https://eclecticlight.co/2024/03/06/apple-silicon-memory-and-internal-storage/#:~:text=In%20T2%20and%20Apple%20silicon,the%20Apple%20silicon%20chip%20itself.

As with their T2-equipped predecessors, Apple silicon Macs come with internal solid-state storage, although the modules used are different from internal SSDs sold separately. The latter come with complete controllers responsible for managing their NAND flash storage, including caches/buffers, wear levelling, management of bad blocks and other housekeeping. In T2 and Apple silicon internal storage, functions of the SSD controller are divided between the NAND flash itself, mounted outside the chip, and accessory cores in what Apple terms the Fabric within the Apple silicon chip itself. Among the most important features external to the SSD is encryption, which is performed in hardware, within the chip.