Schuko plugs have one more advantage only a recessed system can offer: They hide any arcing from the user. I have had some quite nice flashes plugging in old ungrounded plugs, but with Schuko plugs they don't get out of the receptacle, so there's far less risk of burning something. Flat plugs have been around for some time, but at the moment they were called Euro plug they had sleeved pins.
