June 3, 2025 Apple could be preparing to drop physical charging and data ports entirely, starting with the rumoured iPhone 17 Air. A report from French tech site Rude Baguette claims the device will ship in 2026 without a USB-C port, relying exclusively on wireless charging and data transfer.
If true, the move would mark a dramatic pivot — and a short lifespan — for USB-C on iPhones, which Apple only introduced last year with the iPhone 15 to comply with European Union regulations. According to the report, Apple believes going completely wireless is the logical next step and plans to lean on its proprietary MagSafe charger, as well as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Ultra Wideband for data sync.
The iPhone 17 Air is described as thinner and lighter, with no physical ports at all. That would make it the first mainstream smartphone to go fully portless, a concept long speculated but never delivered at scale due to performance and usability challenges.
The shift could frustrate regulators and users alike. The EU’s common charger law was designed to reduce e-waste and improve interoperability, not drive consumers toward closed, wireless alternatives. It could also complicate data recovery, diagnostics, and third-party repairs — all of which often rely on cable-based access.
Apple typically unveils new iPhones in September, so if the iPhone 17 Air is planned for 2026 as reported, confirmation — or denial — would likely come in the fall.
