Gurman: Apple wanted iPhone 17 Air to be a port-free device

Apple will launch the iPhone 17 Air as the thinnest smartphone in its history, but reportedly its initial plans were even bolder. According to Mark Gurman, executives at Cupertino wanted the device to be port-free, dropping the USB-C.

Eventually, the idea was shelved to appease EU regulators, who pushed Apple to adopt the USB standard.

Speculative renders: iPhone 17 Air

In his "Power On" newsletter for Bloomberg, Mark Gurman added that the Air will "foreshadow a move to slimmer models without charging ports."

The model signifies the start of "a sea change for Apple," according to the analyst, and the success of the new device will guide the company in adjusting its plans for the near future.

The iPhone 17 Air will feature a 6.6" display with Dynamic Island, a Camera Control button, and battery life comparable to current iPhones. It will also come with a USB-C port; however, if Apple decides to move forward with a portless smartphone in the future, it will entirely depend on wireless charging.

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