Are We Ready for the Portless iPhone?

The European Commission surprised iPhone users in September 2021 when it announced plans to force device manufacturers to incorporate a USB-C charging port. The commission said the plan to adopt a USB-C port for physical charging was a move to reduce e-waste. Apple didn’t welcome this announcement. For the longest time, Apple has avoided adding a USB-C port to the iPhone but has added it to many iPads and MacBooks. The company says that switching to USB-C is bad for the environment because it will make millions of lightning accessories obsolete.

The good news is that the proposal from the European Union only covers wired devices and doesn’t seek to change wireless devices just yet. If a device charges wirelessly, there’s no need to integrate a USB-C charging port. If the proposal is adopted by the European Parliament, Apple and other manufacturers will have 24 months to comply with the rules. So, if Apple wants to avoid USB-C altogether, it has enough time to build a portless phone.

Back in 2020, a well-publicized leak suggested that the next iPhone might be portless. This caused many to believe that the iPhone 13 would be the one to fully drop the charging port. And earlier this year, before the iPhone 13 was released, a new leak suggested that Apple was testing the data recovery and restoration capabilities of a portless iPhone.

But when the iPhone 13 was released, it wasn’t portless. It had a lightning port at the bottom just like its predecessor. While Apple has the expertise and the technology to create the first portless phone, it hasn’t done that yet. But is it a good idea to ditch the lightning port? Does a portless iPhone benefit consumers? And how should we prepare if Apple finally ditches the charging port? Let’s find out more.

Why Do We Need a Lightning Port?

MacBooks have a USB-C port, but Apple uses the lightning port for the iPhone, unlike most Android handset makers. Some experts say it’s because it gives the company more control. This could be true, but a lightning port also has many benefits. It allows iPhone users to transfer data and charge their phones quickly.

A portless phone would only rely on wireless charging, and fast wireless chargers are yet to be invented. The current wireless charging is less efficient and generally slower than wired charging. In the future, wireless charging may get better and there may not be any huge difference in charging speeds between the two. For example, the RAVPower Magnetic Wireless Charger is an efficient option.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said that Apple doesn’t plan to ditch the iPhone’s lightning port in the foreseeable future. He has also said that if that happens, the iPhone may feature a portless design with ‌MagSafe‌ support and not a USB-C port.

Do We Really Need the Next iPhone to Be Portless?

The truth is, a portless phone is inevitable, and if there’s a company that has the technology to build it, it’s Apple. But Apple’s wireless chargers haven’t been as impressive as we thought they would. The company had previously tried to build AirPower, a wireless charger that would be able to charge an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. But in March 2019, Apple canceled the product, citing difficulties in bringing it to life.

Pros and Cons of a Portless iPhone

Pros:

1. More space for the battery and other gizmos like an in-screen fingerprint scanner
2. Better water-resistance
3. Fewer charging cables—you would only need one charging cable for the dock that’s compatible with all devices, like the MagSafe Duo Charger

Cons:

1. You wouldn’t be able to recover your phone via PC
2. You would only be able to use wireless earphones
3. A lot of useless lightning cables would become e-waste
4. You would have to buy a new wireless charger and pay for iCloud storage

Is Apple Ready for the Portless iPhone? How Would the Company Solve the Phone’s Issues?

Unless Apple improves its wireless charging technology, it should pause its plan to create a portless phone. Otherwise, we would be back where we started—having amazing phones that couldn’t hold charge for long. However, Apple might decide to address the phone’s problems with iCloud backups and better chargers.

1.      Data Transfer – iCloud Backup

iCloud Backup duplicates the information on your iPhone. When your device is backed up, you can easily transfer data, set up a new device, or restore information. And even if you stop using or disable iCloud Backup, your last backup is stored for 180 days.

2.      Charging – MagSafe Charger, Battery Pack, Duo Charger

Apple will probably make its portless iPhone compatible with the MagSafe Charger, battery pack, or duo charger. The charger quickly and safely charges your iPhone wirelessly. It optimizes charging for your phone, providing up to 15W of peak power for faster wireless charging. Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack makes wireless charging easy. You simply attach it to your phone to charge it. The MagSafe Duo Charger can charge an iPhone, a wireless charging case for AirPods, the Apple Watch, and other Qi-certified devices.

Are We Ready for the Portless iPhone? And How Can You Charge Your Portless Phone Affordably If Apple Finally Ditches the Charging Port?

Whether we’re ready for a portless iPhone is debatable. Wireless charging is still very slow, and Apple is yet to release a fast wireless charger. However, if the company decides to release a portless phone, you can charge it using a RAVPower magnetic wireless charger.  You can get a RAVPower wireless charger or a power bank. The good thing is they both charge older iPhones like the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 13. Here are 2 RAVPower chargers we recommend.

1.      RAVPower Magnetic Wireless Charger: RP-WC012

Apple doesn’t provide a charger for the iPhone 12 and its successors, so you need to buy a wired or a wireless charger for your phone. The RAVPower magnetic wireless charger wirelessly charges your iPhone by aligning to it magnetically. It snaps and centers to the back of the phone for secure charging. If you use Apple’s magnetic case, you won’t have to remove it during charging. The RAVPower magnetic wireless charger can also charge Qi-enabled devices and stays cool throughout.

2.      RAVPower Magnetic Power Bank: RP-PB234

Originally designed for the iPhone 12 lineup, this portable and ultra-slim wireless charger easily attaches to your iPhone via magnets and starts charging it wirelessly upon contact. It offers up to 7.5W of power and is perfect for the new iPhone 13 Pro which supports wireless charging over the Qi standard at up to 7.5 watts. The power bank comes with a powerful USB-C cable, so you can charge it as you charge your phone. It is highly portable and is ideal for those who travel frequently or love exploring the outdoors. 

Closing Thoughts

Rumors of a portless iPhone have always existed, and with the European Commission announcing plans to force device manufacturers to add a USB-C charging port, Apple might just be forced to build a portless phone. When that happens, be sure to grab a RAVPower magnetic wireless charger or power bank.