The EU won’t stop anyone from making a portless phone

If it doesn't need a wire to be charged, it doesn't need USB-C.

Mar 19, 2025 - 14:27

The EU won’t stop anyone from making a portless phone

Apple iPhone 15 Pro USB C cable and port

The European Commission confirmed that smartphones without wired charging ports are not required to have a USB-C connector under current regulations.
Apple considered launching the iPhone 17 Air as its first portless device but decided against it partly due to concerns about EU regulatory response.
The Common Charger Directive mandates only that devices with wired charging must use USB-C but allows for entirely wireless designs, paving the way for potential fully wireless smartphones.

Apple took a big leap towards standardization when it adopted the USB-C port on the iPhone 15 series. However, the company has long been reported to dream of a future with portless iPhones. This dream was on shaky grounds, as the EU legislation that brought in USB-C ports on iPhones would continue to keep the port on them, or so it was presumed. As it turns out, the EU is okay if Apple removes the USB-C port from its iPhones.

A recent Bloomberg report suggested that the upcoming iPhone 17 Air would have been the company’s first portless iPhone. However, Apple ultimately decided against it, partly because removing the USB-C port would have been against EU legislation.