EU Confirms Portless Phones Comply With Regulations, Apple Sticks With USB-C for Now

Apple opts for USB-C in the iPhone 17 Air despite EU confirmation that portless designs meet the Common Charger Directive requirements.

The European Union clarified that portless phones without USB-C ports comply with its Common Charger Directive, as they lack wired charging capabilities.
Apple decided to include a USB-C port in the upcoming iPhone 17 Air, citing regulatory caution despite the EU's confirmation.
The EU's Common Charger Directive mandates USB-C for devices with wired charging ports to reduce electronic waste and simplify charging solutions.
Apple transitioned to USB-C for iPhones starting with the iPhone 15 series in 2023 and ceased sales of Lightning port models by January 2025.
The EU is promoting wireless charging standardization to prevent market fragmentation, with Apple's MagSafe technology integrated into the Qi2 standard.