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Here's Why Apple Hasn't Made a Portless iPhone
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I’m not saying USB-C is bad, I’m saying mandating the connector into law is stupid. Who is going to invest then tens to hundreds of millions of dollars to develop a new port when they have to get it approved after the fact by a regulator who has already shown an unwillingness to change the standard of other “required” connectors when a better one comes along. No one - so innovation stops. Because regulators who couldn’t get hired to answer the phones at a tech firm think they know better than engineers.
Remember the EU tried to mandate micro-USB. MICRO-USB! Anyone who knows that and still thinks the EU mandating what charging port devices use is a good idea needs to have their head examined.
Laughable! How is Apple stopping real innovation with their hardware and software choices? They’re not - Android exists, other phone manufacturers exist - and all of them would love to make a must-have feature the iPhone doesn’t support.
This would just be making the iPhone less capable for no real gain. Slightly improved water resistance by removing the port makes no real difference whatsoever, the overall seal will still wear away just as fast as it does now. And making the phone thinner will prevent larger batteries or other components from being added. We're already hearing that the 17 Air doesn't have a speaker.
The port can do a lot more than just charge the phone, even if many users only use it for that.
The port can do a lot more than just charge the phone, even if many users only use it for that.
USB-C is the standard, not micro-USB. This alone disproves your point because they already course corrected when they saw a better alternative. How can you argue they can't do something they've already done once?
Apple's been deliberately limiting wired functionality for the better part of a decade to push people to iCloud (edit: also to sell overpriced internal storage). You can tell me they're not doing that when I can directly back up my full iPhone to an external SSD without going through a PC/Mac. They've had the feature on macs since before the iPhone. When are they going to bring Time Machine to the iPhone? Things like recording Apple ProRes footage direct to an external drive only came after Apple was forced to adopt USB-C. I wonder why. Certainly it had nothing to do with Apple clinging to an outdated proprietary standard.
If you actually cared about innovation in port design (instead of presenting a faux "they're blocking innovation" complaint), you wouldn't have been ok with a decade of the lightning port in the first place. The EU wouldn't have had to mandate a port if manufacturers (Apple with lightning and random Chinese companies clinging to micro-usb) could have just voluntarily adopted USB C like everyone else. They had plenty of warning. The only stupid thing is that the EU had to force Apple to make their phone better.
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The day they make me switch to a portless iPhone is the day I stock up on the last flagship USB-equipped iPhone and hope my supply will last me in case of emergency for many many years
Those will be the last iPhone sales Apple ever makes from me
Those will be the last iPhone sales Apple ever makes from me
I use this folding 3-in-1 for when I travel:
www.macrumors.com
It’s a wireless charging stand yet I don’t even ‘charge’ the phone via the MagSafe. Instead, I usually charge it up to 80% (which is what I have the limit set to) via USB & cable and then once it’s at 80%, I then put it on the MagSafe stand before bed, but even then, when I take it off the stand in the morning, the phone is warm, which means it’s generating heat, even though there is absolutely no power being transferred to the phone (because it’s already fully charged)
I tested this out with multiple wireless charging stands and they’re all the same. I’ve also Google searched it and it’s apparently a well-known ‘issue’ with wireless charging🤷🤦♂️
They really need to fix this in a future version because (I can understand there being heat generated if the device is actually charging) but if it’s just sitting on the stand (and it’s already fully charged) I don’t understand why there would still be heat generated?!
When I have my phone plugged in (and it’s fully charged) there is absolutely no heat generated. You can touch the phone and it should feel cold to the touch. That is never the case when it’s just sitting there fully-charged on a wireless charging stand.
Hopefully, the wireless charging consortium fixes this in a future iteration of MagSafe/Qi2 industry charging standards
Review: Kuxiu's X40Q Qi2 3-in-1 Foldable Charging Station Feels Perfectly Designed for Portability
Australian-based company Kuxiu has come out with a new version of its 3-in-1 charging station that has got to be one of the neatest Apple device...
www.macrumors.com
It’s a wireless charging stand yet I don’t even ‘charge’ the phone via the MagSafe. Instead, I usually charge it up to 80% (which is what I have the limit set to) via USB & cable and then once it’s at 80%, I then put it on the MagSafe stand before bed, but even then, when I take it off the stand in the morning, the phone is warm, which means it’s generating heat, even though there is absolutely no power being transferred to the phone (because it’s already fully charged)
I tested this out with multiple wireless charging stands and they’re all the same. I’ve also Google searched it and it’s apparently a well-known ‘issue’ with wireless charging🤷🤦♂️
They really need to fix this in a future version because (I can understand there being heat generated if the device is actually charging) but if it’s just sitting on the stand (and it’s already fully charged) I don’t understand why there would still be heat generated?!
When I have my phone plugged in (and it’s fully charged) there is absolutely no heat generated. You can touch the phone and it should feel cold to the touch. That is never the case when it’s just sitting there fully-charged on a wireless charging stand.
Hopefully, the wireless charging consortium fixes this in a future iteration of MagSafe/Qi2 industry charging standards
Wireless is garbage for large file transfers over AirDrop. If it worked reliably for large files, I'd be more okay with the move. As it is now, I have to use an online storage service to move anything larger than a gig between devices. I have been submitting feedback to Apple for every iOS and iPadOS beta to allow wired transfers to the Files app. It's ridiculous that you currently can't do that, especially when iPads support Thunderbolt and iPhones support USB3.
“Here's Why Apple Hasn't Made a Portless iPhone…”
…because it would be stupid.
There. Thread closed.
I don't see any major value of wireless charging, especially it is heavier, hotter, a lot more expensive, and still need a cable.
Over the years, there have been rumors suggesting that Apple eventually wants to make an iPhone without any ports, allowing for a completely wireless charging experience. An iPhone without ports has been speculated about, and Apple has even published patents for an all-glass iPhone with no ports or buttons.
Apple apparently considered making its dream a reality with the upcoming iPhone 17 Air, but ultimately decided not to do so. In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says that one of Apple's ideas for the iPhone 17 Air was to design it without a USB-C port, which means it would only charge via MagSafe.
Apple did not end up going in that direction, because there were internal concerns that eliminating the USB-C port in the iPhone 17 Air would get the company in trouble with regulators in the European Union.
With the iPhone 15 lineup, Apple transitioned away from Lightning and adopted USB-C for iPhones because of an EU law that passed in 2022. The law requires technology companies to use a "common port," aka USB-C, for charging purposes. Technically, the law only applies in the European Union, but it was easier for Apple to make the change worldwide than to develop a special USB-C iPhone in Europe and continue using Lightning elsewhere.
Along with potentially angering the European regulators, getting rid of the charging port on an iPhone entirely would undoubtedly upset customers. When Apple eliminated the headphone jack from the iPhone 7, there was a lot of pushback from iPhone users, and other smartphone brands like Samsung spent plenty of time making fun of Apple's choice before ultimately following Apple's lead and removing headphone jacks from Android smartphones.
The iPhone 16 models now support MagSafe charging at up to 25W, and can fast charge with MagSafe and a 30W power adapter. Fast charging allows an iPhone to charge to 50 percent in 30 minutes, and the faster MagSafe charging puts wireless charging on par with fast charging over USB-C. With fast charging available with MagSafe, there wouldn't be a downside to eliminating the USB-C port in terms of speed, but there would be far less flexibility because USB-C chargers and cables have become so universal.
Though Apple isn't adopting a port-free design for the iPhone 17 Air, it's not an idea the company is abandoning. If the new super thin iPhone sells well, Apple will revisit portless iPhones and slim down the rest of the iPhone lineup, too.
Article Link: Here's Why Apple Hasn't Made a Portless iPhone
Would someone from Apple please send Ursula an email and ask that ridiculous bitch if they have her permission to create and sell portless iPhones in the world?
Not all users are equal.
There're users that would excitingly accept a smartphone shaped like a pebble with no holes/ports/slots.
Many other users wouldn't care about a seamless case because they rely on external devices that require a reliable connection.
The former are casual users with no specific needs, the others are professionals/nerdy guys.
Now, either Apple develops a touch port similar to the Magnetic Connector which would provide a stable I/O data transmission due to its physical proximity or keep two lines of iPhones: one carrying the old good port (regardless the format) and another one wrapped in a impenetrable shell for the "form over function" lovers.
After all Apple is already good at messing its products lineup, lately (Pro/Max/Ultra/Whatever marketing nonsense).
There're users that would excitingly accept a smartphone shaped like a pebble with no holes/ports/slots.
Many other users wouldn't care about a seamless case because they rely on external devices that require a reliable connection.
The former are casual users with no specific needs, the others are professionals/nerdy guys.
Now, either Apple develops a touch port similar to the Magnetic Connector which would provide a stable I/O data transmission due to its physical proximity or keep two lines of iPhones: one carrying the old good port (regardless the format) and another one wrapped in a impenetrable shell for the "form over function" lovers.
After all Apple is already good at messing its products lineup, lately (Pro/Max/Ultra/Whatever marketing nonsense).
I don't think it's got anything to do with charging, the wireless Qi MagSafe solution is now pretty good. It's more the data transfer issue, where wireless isn't supported or won't work, has bandwidth limits, guaranteeing compatibility with Windows computers, etc. If you want to upload gigs of photos and videos to your computer from your phone to free up space, Apple needs to make sure it can happen over wireless as reliably and quickly as it would over a thunderbolt connection before they can drop the port.
who is wirelessly charging gigantic car batteries?Of course Apple will go to portless / totally wireless eventually. As soon as they think it's feasible. That has been Apple's trajectory over the decades. Always first to abandon something that's on its way out but has an adequate modern substitute. And almost always, after a lot of whining and mocking, the entire industry quickly follows.
My guess is that Apple has engineers working furiously on getting data transfer to be wicked fast and reliable, even if it means building a new chip or architecture to assist. Because as several here pointed out, that's a remaining weakness and barrier to going fully wireless / portless.
Wireless is the future. Look how far it has come, to where we are wirelessly handling individual 4K movie streams without even thinking about it. Wirelessly charging batteries, even gigantic car batteries. Wireless extreme fidelity for live music and Hollywood film production. When they figure out wireless energy transmission at rates powerful enough to run lightbulbs at a distance, the world will be a whole different place.
But of course one thing will never change: there will always be a cadre of grumpy geezers complaining about whatever it is.
It is obviously a very emotive topic, that is evident reading through the thread here.
My personal opinions on the topics discussed are...
Personally I was pleased to see USB-C adopted as a standard port, I find the cable more robust and it reduces the number of cable types I need. Now I can pretty much use the same charger/cable for iPhone, iPad, MacBook Pro and Windows laptop.
I am not against the idea of wireless charging, I am just not convinced the tech is fully there.
If it gets more efficient with less heat then I can see it being adopted more.
My concern lays more with needing multiple wireless chargers that the idea of having it. Not a bit issue to be fair.
But wireless charging and battery technology is moving forward all the time so I guess we may see drastic changes in the next few years.
As for other connections I have not linked my iPhone or iPad to my Mac by cable for years. Oddly I ended up finding the wired connection more hassle.
Updates are easy via wifi, and iCloud syncing means photos and other data are easily available across my devices.
On the rare times I need send a photo my work Windows Laptop I either email or use a cloud service.
But I accept that Windows users may have an initial issue finding a suitable workflow.
I guess it is like headphone port, it will cause uproar and complaints, then it will be a standard and other devices will adopt similar strategy and a relatively short time later it will be the norm.
But until Apple makes an announcement officially I wont worry too much.
My personal opinions on the topics discussed are...
Personally I was pleased to see USB-C adopted as a standard port, I find the cable more robust and it reduces the number of cable types I need. Now I can pretty much use the same charger/cable for iPhone, iPad, MacBook Pro and Windows laptop.
I am not against the idea of wireless charging, I am just not convinced the tech is fully there.
If it gets more efficient with less heat then I can see it being adopted more.
My concern lays more with needing multiple wireless chargers that the idea of having it. Not a bit issue to be fair.
But wireless charging and battery technology is moving forward all the time so I guess we may see drastic changes in the next few years.
As for other connections I have not linked my iPhone or iPad to my Mac by cable for years. Oddly I ended up finding the wired connection more hassle.
Updates are easy via wifi, and iCloud syncing means photos and other data are easily available across my devices.
On the rare times I need send a photo my work Windows Laptop I either email or use a cloud service.
But I accept that Windows users may have an initial issue finding a suitable workflow.
I guess it is like headphone port, it will cause uproar and complaints, then it will be a standard and other devices will adopt similar strategy and a relatively short time later it will be the norm.
But until Apple makes an announcement officially I wont worry too much.
There are a number of places trying and working on inductive charging...
Inductive Car Charging | Volkswagen UK
Find out how inductive wireless car charging is becoming part of everyday life and how it can even let you charge your electric vehicle at a red light.
www.volkswagen.co.uk
Wireless charging: The roads where electric vehicles never need to plug in
The first wireless electric road in the US has been installed in Detroit, but at nearly $2m (£1.6m) per mile, is this really the future of transport?
www.bbc.co.uk
Wireless electric car charging: is EV charging without cables the future? | Auto Express
As the technology inches closer to commercial reality, we examine the state of wireless charging for electric cars
www.autoexpress.co.uk
I am not saying those are all viable and prove anything, but work is ongoing and we could see new technology which makes it become part of the standard for EV's.
And to be fair inductive charging could be the thing that opens up EV's to a wider market and makes rollout and adoption increase.
I don't think this is a bad idea, it would be nice if companies had a experimental product in their lineup where they just say f*it and do whatever. It wouldn't be for the masses and as long as they don't mess with their bread & butter models who cares. Car manufacturers have been doing this for decades and Apple already did it with the Vision Pro but seemingly every Apple consumer feels that if a product isn't made for them and their needs then what's the point of it existing.
Absolutly BS - its only if you have a Chargnig port.
The EU law (Directive 2022/2380) mandates a common charging port only if a device has a physical charging port. It does not require companies to include a port if they opt for wireless charging instead.
if it was then what about my toothbrush, it has wireless only, and my robot lawnmower it has a normal contact switch charging, and same for my robot vacuum cleaner
The EU law (Directive 2022/2380) mandates a common charging port only if a device has a physical charging port. It does not require companies to include a port if they opt for wireless charging instead.
if it was then what about my toothbrush, it has wireless only, and my robot lawnmower it has a normal contact switch charging, and same for my robot vacuum cleaner
- Apple Watch – No USB-C, only charges wirelessly.
- Samsung Galaxy Watch – Same, wireless charging only.
It would also eliminate A LOT potential buyers. In general. This is not like not having a headphone jack. They know that and that's the reason.