Imagine a world where your phone is as sleek as a pebble, with no ports to clutter its surface. This vision might soon become a reality, thanks to a recent development in the European Union.
The EU has clarified its stance on devices that charge solely through wireless means, stating they comply with the region’s laws. This is a significant nod to tech giants like Apple, who have been exploring the concept of portless devices.
To understand the context, let’s take a step back. The EU has been pushing for a standardized charging solution, specifically USB-C, for all mobile devices that use batteries and come with a charging cable. The goal is to make wired charging more universally compatible. However, this rule doesn’t apply to devices that only charge wirelessly.
As Fabrizia Miccoli, a spokesperson for the European Commission, pointed out, devices that exclusively support wireless charging don’t have a USB-C charging system, so they’re already exempt from the rule.
This clarification is a green light for companies like Apple, which had reportedly considered designing an iPhone without ports, only to put the idea on hold due to regulatory uncertainties. The EU’s stance suggests that Apple could revive this concept, potentially starting with the iPhone 18 Air in 2026.
The EU plans to promote a standardized wireless charging solution to avoid negative market and consumer impacts in the future. They’ll be closely monitoring the development and efficiency of wireless charging technologies.
For now, it seems the path is clear for a future where devices are sleeker, and wireless charging is the norm. As reported by GSMArena, this development could usher in a new era of device design.
