The widely rumored “iPhone 17 Air” is anticipated to be Apple’s thinnest iPhone yet, with a weekend Bloomberg News report hinting that the company has explored making it the first port-free iPhone. The report noted that Apple ultimately scrapped the idea, partly due to concerns that eliminating the USB-C port might violate EU regulations. However, 9to5Mac has since obtained confirmation from the EU that removing the USB-C port for a fully port-free design would actually be entirely permissible within the bloc’s existing regulations.
[I]t was my understanding that the Common Charger Directive only said that if a device has a wired charging port then it must be USB-C – that’s not the same as saying a USB-C port is mandatory.
I’ve now confirmed this with European Commission press officer Federica Miccoli, whose remit covers the internal market and industrial strategy, asking whether a portless phone would be compliant with the law.
Yes. Since, such radio equipment cannot be recharged via wired charging, it does not need to incorporate the harmonised (wired) charging solution.
MacDailyNews Take: Ah, the relief and gratitude that the beneficent EU overlords deign it permissible for Apple to create a port-free iPhone is overwhelming; soul-nourishing, even!
Bring it on! Perfectly sealed, virtually waterproof, and totally wireless would be great! Port-free is how we use our iPhones today anyway. With wireless CarPlay (in supported vehicles or via inexpensive third-party adapters), we haven’t plugging anything into that Lightning [USB-C] port at the bottom of our current iPhones – ever. It might as well not even be there, collecting pocket lint for no good reason. – MacDailyNews, February 28, 2020
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