Apple is reportedly exploring a portless iPhone design, potentially debuting with the iPhone 17 Air, featuring exclusive wireless charging. This move comes as the EU's Common Charger Directive mandates USB-C ports on smartphones sold in the region by 2024.
Apple initially resisted the EU's push for USB-C, but later adopted it for the iPhone 15 series.
The EU directive aims to standardize charging ports for various devices, including phones, tablets, and laptops.
A completely portless iPhone would comply with the EU regulation, as it technically supports charging via wireless technology.
The Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) approved Qi2 standard based on Apple's MagSafe.
Analyst Mark Gurman suggests the first portless iPhone could be the iPhone 17 Air, expected to be the thinnest iPhone ever at around 5.5mm thick, featuring a 6.6-inch display with Dynamic Island and a Camera Control button.
This shift could streamline design and enhance water resistance, though challenges remain in optimizing wireless charging efficiency and user convenience.