Why The Next iPhone is Going to Be Portless

Apple's Design Language

When the first MacBook Air was released in 2008, the world was in uproar over how a premium laptop first lost an optical drive, and then Ethernet. The design language followed as Apple continued to hone in on maximizing the function to hardware capability ratio in their lineup. The new MacBook, released in 2015, was the first year to completely eliminate all ports in favor of the multifunction USB-C. Then in 2016, Apple deleted the much loved 3.5mm headphone jack from their latest iPhones. Consumers grow to love this progressive attitude, year after year. Lightning then will be the next major port to be slashed.

The iPhone X

Upon the release of the iPhone X, many were concerned that the device still relied on the brand’s aging lightning adaptor for charging and synching rather than adopting the USB-C standard that most competitors now boast. But rather than investing R&D money into port engineering, there is ample evidence to suggest that Apple has instead been investing in wireless charging. For Apple’s own wireless charger, the AirPad is rumored to be universally Qi compliant while also providing fast charging that will likely dwarf QUALCOMM’s. This heavy investment in wireless charging paired with faster charge times will make it possible for Apple to release a completely port free device. A lightning port is nearly 9.05mm tall, and its removal can allow Apple to add larger batteries while also allowing for a device with a thinner overall profile. This has Apple written all over it.

There isn’t a need for ports anymore:

iDevices can now sync to Macs and PCs wirelessly, while wireless charging allows devices to charge in cars and homes. Need juice on the go? Simple, integrate wireless charging capabilities into extended power cases. Gone is the need for ugly cases that awkwardly take up your lighning jack. Need to present on the go? No problem, pick up a Bluetooth projector. Data needs? Use iCloud.