A portless phone might sound like a wild idea, but many companies are already mulling over it. Multiple reports from the past have suggested that Apple is quite keen on making a portless iPhone. The company even considered a portless design for the upcoming iPhone 17. However, it ultimately ditched the idea concerning the EU’s stringent law. Now, it seems the EU is open to Apple or other companies manufacturing portless phones.
The EU is reportedly okay with Apple and others willing to make portless phones
Folks over at 9to5Mac today reported that they have confirmed with the bloc that omitting the USB-C port in favor of a portless phone would be completely legal. This confirmation reportedly came from the European Commission press officer, Federica Miccoli.
The EU’s Common Charger Directive only states that a device with a wired charging feature must include a USB-C port. The EU passed this law concerning unwanted electrical waste. It was this law that forced the Cupertino tech giant to transition from the Lightning port to the USB-C port.
When asked about whether a portless phone would be legal, the EU official reportedly cited part of a support document that reads, “Yes. Since such radio equipment cannot be recharged via wired charging, it does not need to incorporate the harmonized (wired) charging solution.”
The Common Charger Directive talks in favor of wireless charging
However, there’s no mention in the EU’s Common Charger Directive that a USB-C port is mandatory in a phone. Therefore, a portless phone isn’t illegal in the eyes of the EU. Interestingly, the law in fact requires the EU to take action in favor of wireless charging standards.
The Commission Notice titled “Guidance for the interpretation of the Common Charger Directive” also talks similarly. A part of the “Scope” section of the notice mentions, “Regarding wireless charging, the Commission will promote the harmonization of wireless charging in order to avoid future fragmentation of the internal market and any negative effects on consumer and the environment.“
