EU Approves Portless iPhone!
The European Union has approved the design of a completely port-free iPhone, paving the way for a new era of wireless technology.
An iPhone Without USB-C?
Recently, a report stirred the mobile industry: Apple considered launching an ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air without USB-C. However, as Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported, Apple abandoned this plan due to EU regulations mandating USB-C charging support for all mobile devices.
Apple’s Decision
“Apple has decided against a port-free design for the new iPhone, which will continue to feature a USB-C connector,” wrote Gurman. “A key reason: concerns that removing USB-C would upset EU regulators, who have mandated the shift to USB-C for iPhones.”
Recall that Apple has stopped producing devices with the Lightning port due to the Common Charger Directive. The first Apple iPhones with USB-C were the iPhone 15s. The release of the iPhone 16, replacing the iPhone SE, definitively ended the Lightning era.
A Legally USB-C Free Phone via Wireless Charging
A recent article by 9to5Mac suggests that Apple could manufacture a USB-C-free phone, legally, thanks to wireless charging. “Yes. Since this type of device can only be charged wirelessly, it doesn’t need to incorporate the harmonized wired charging solution,” an EU spokesperson told 9to5Mac.
This was confirmed by the spokesperson, who likely quoted directly from the law itself. We found a copy of the law, specifying under the “Scope” section in the FAQ:
“15. Can radio equipment that can only be charged wirelessly be marketed without incorporating the harmonized charging solution?”
Towards a Wireless Future
Apple has been collaborating with the Wireless Power Consortium for years, which established the Qi protocol and later the Qi2 standard. Essentially a version of Apple’s MagSafe, Qi2 is now available for Android phones, with a target implementation year of 2025. For instance, Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series will be the first to support the standard, albeit without magnets.
Clearly, the iPhone 17 Air will have a USB-C port. Even though Apple is contemplating a port-free phone, it seems we are still some time away from this becoming a probable reality, legally or otherwise.