While Apple has long dreamed of creating a completely wireless iPhone without any physical ports, regulatory hurdles and practical concerns continue to hold back this ambitious vision.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple seriously considered making the upcoming iPhone 17 Air its first portless device that would rely entirely on wireless MagSafe charging. However, the company ultimately backed away from the idea due to potential conflicts with European Union regulations.
In 2022, the EU passed legislation requiring all mobile devices to use USB-C as a "common port" for charging. This already forced Apple to abandon its proprietary Lightning connector in favor of USB-C with the iPhone 15 series. Removing charging ports entirely could put Apple at odds with these regulations.
Beyond regulatory concerns, customer reaction remains a key consideration. When Apple removed the headphone jack from the iPhone 7, it faced significant consumer backlash - even though other manufacturers eventually followed suit. A completely portless design would be an even more dramatic change.
The technical foundations for a portless iPhone do exist. Recent models support MagSafe wireless charging at speeds comparable to wired charging, reaching 25W with the right power adapter. However, USB-C cables and chargers have become ubiquitous, making their removal potentially inconvenient for users.
While Apple has published patents for an all-glass iPhone without ports or buttons, and continues exploring the concept, the company appears to be taking a cautious approach. Industry observers suggest Apple may revisit the portless design in future models if upcoming thin-profile iPhones prove successful with consumers.
For now, the combination of regulatory requirements and practical user needs means the portless iPhone remains an ambitious concept rather than an immediate reality.