Apple reportedly considered introducing a portless smartphone with the upcoming rumoured iPhone 17 Air, but that plan was apparently scrapped due to concerns it would bring the device in conflict with the EU’s USB-C universal standard. However, 9to5mac revealed that the EU would not stop the tech giant from selling a port-free phone.
Quoting European Commission press officer Federica Miccoli, a portless iPhone would be compliant with the USB-C mandate, explaining, “such radio equipment cannot be recharged via wired charging, it does not need to incorporate the harmonised (wired) charging solution.” However, the law calls on the EU to take action in support of wireless charging standards rather than proprietary ones.
The Commission will promote the harmonisation of wireless charging in order to avoid future fragmentation of the internal market and any negative effects on consumer and the environment. The Commission will monitor the evolution of all types of wireless charging technologies (not only inductive), particularly market developments, market penetration, market fragmentation, technological performance, interoperability, energy efficiency and charging performance.
As stated in recital 13 of the Common Charger Directive, “the Commission should take action towards promoting and harmonising such solutions to avoid future fragmentation of the internal market.”
Back in 2023, Apple donated its MagSafe design to the Wireless Power Consortium, which resulted in the Qi2 wireless charging standard. While adoption of Qi2 has been relatively slow, this would likely mean that an iPhone with only MagSafe as the exclusive charging method would be legal to sell in the EU, opening the door for Apple to get rid of ports.
(Source: 9to5mac)
