Portless Apple iPhone Will Break EU Laws? Answer May Surprise You

Apple initially considered making the iPhone 17 Air its first fully portless device to achieve an ultra-slim design, according to a report in 9to5Mac. But the company then decided against it, partly due to concerns that removing the USB-C port could put it at odds with EU regulations.

And now, surprisingly, Apple's vision for a completely portless iPhone seems to have received a boost, as European Union (EU) has indicated its regulations do not mandate wired charging for devices that rely solely on wireless power. This could open the door for Apple to eventually introduce an iPhone without any physical ports.

Bloomberg reported that Apple abandoned the idea due to the European Union’s “common charger” legislation, which requires all mobile devices — including smartphones, tablets, and handheld gaming consoles — to support USB-C charging.

In fact, Apple was previously compelled to replace its proprietary lightning port with USB-C to comply with the EU's common charger directive. Apple had already transitioned to USB-C charging for its Macs and iPads but continued using the lightning port for iPhones. 

As the January 2025 deadline neared, the only lightning-equipped iPhones still sold directly by Apple were the iPhone SE and iPhone 14. The company discontinued both models just before the deadline.

Now, 9to5Mac has confirmed with EU officials that a completely portless iPhone would still comply with the bloc’s rules, as devices relying solely on wireless charging are not required to include a USB-C port. According to the report, the common charger directive specifies that if a device includes a wired charging port, it must be USB-C. This does not mean a USB-C port is mandatory for all devices. 

The outlet confirmed this interpretation with European Commission press officer Federica Miccoli, who oversees the internal market and industrial strategy. When asked whether a completely portless iPhone would comply with the law, Miccoli provided the clarification, reported 9to5Mac.

The FAQ section of the EU law under the 'Scope' label further clarifies the regulations regarding wireless charging. Section 15 specifically addresses whether radio equipment that relies solely on wireless charging can be sold without including the harmonised wired charging solution. The law explicitly states: “Yes. Since such radio equipment cannot be recharged via wired charging, it does not need to incorporate the harmonised (wired) charging solution.”

Despite Apple’s initial hesitation, the latest findings suggest that a portless iPhone would still comply with EU regulations. This could pave the way for a future iPhone without any physical charging ports, aligning with Apple’s long-term vision of a fully wireless device.