Will Apple's iPhone 17 standardise wireless charging?

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Apple is reportedly poised to take a bold step into a wireless future, with the upcoming iPhone 17 Air expected to ditch the USB-C port entirely, ending cable charging for good.

The move would make the iPhone 17 Air Apple’s first fully portless smartphone, relying entirely on Qi2-certified MagSafe wireless charging and cloud-based data syncing.

According to various media reports that cite industry insiders, Apple sees this as the beginning of a broader transition to cable-free mobile devices.

While previous reports suggested Apple had delayed the shift due to concerns about European Union regulations, the European Commission has now clarified that such a portless phone is fully legal under current law.

“If a phone does not offer wired charging, then it is not required to have a USB-C port,” said Commission spokesperson Federica Miccoli. The clarification clears a key regulatory hurdle, paving the way for Apple to lead a new generation of wireless-only devices.

Apple was previously required to switch from its proprietary Lightning port to USB-C to comply with the EU’s Common Charger Directive. In the past, the European Union mandated the adoption of USB-C ports for all mobile devices to reduce electronic waste and streamline the consumer experience. But the law applies only when a physical charging port is present.

Read: Apple iPhone 17 Air: What we know so far

By removing the USB-C connector entirely, Apple effectively opts out of the mandate, provided the wireless charging experience is as seamless and efficient as a traditional cabled connection.

Apple’s Qi2-compliant MagSafe technology, now standardised and adopted by other manufacturers, appears to satisfy those expectations. The company has already removed SIM card slots in some models and is expected to eliminate more physical components to further reduce thickness and improve design.

Also read: Leaked designs for Apple’s foldable iPhone 17: What to expect and how much will It cost?

The iPhone 17 Air is expected to be the slimmest iPhone ever made and will debut in September. Analysts say it could set the tone for future iPhones – and the broader smartphone industry – by initiating the complete phasing out of physical charging ports.