Anticipation is building for the iPhone 17 Air, which is expected to be Apple’s slimmest device yet. However, with the USB-C port currently limiting the thickness of smartphones, would you accept a model without ports in exchange for a sleeker iPhone?
Oppo, a Chinese Android phone manufacturer, has been marketing an ultra-thin model, claiming that the USB-C port height is hindering the quest for even slimmer devices.
iPhone 17 Air
Last year, it was revealed that the iPhone 17 Air is designed to be Apple’s thinnest phone to date.
A reduction of 2mm compared to the 16 Pro would result in a phone approximately 25% thinner overall—potentially slightly more for Pro models and somewhat less for base models. This aligns with earlier predictions of a device that could be close to 6mm in thickness.
This statement became more nuanced when Ming-Chi Kuo mentioned that “the thinnest part” might measure 5.5mm. This led to speculation about a possible wedge-shaped design, though a new-style camera bump seems more likely.
Oppo’s View on USB-C as a Limiting Factor
Oppo has announced its forthcoming Find N5 Android phone (via Daring Fireball). This folding device emphasizes the need for a slimmer casing.
A comparison with the iPhone 16 illustrates how close Oppo is to reaching the thinnest possible design while maintaining a USB-C port.
Thinness is not the limitation of Find N5; it’s the charging port that’s the constraint.
Rumors of a Portless iPhone
For years, there have been hints that Apple might introduce a portless iPhone, relying exclusively on wireless charging and AirDrop for data transfer.
A few years back, I outlined four reasons why Apple might move in this direction at some point. While this change could work for many users, some may still require a physical port.
The majority of iPhone users don’t require a port – and even fewer will in the future. Most users rarely engage in wired data transfers, and a great number can manage their charging needs through overnight wireless options. Additionally, there is an increasing prevalence of wireless charging stations in places like cars, cafes, hotels, airports, and workplaces.
However, Apple faces a dilemma: promoting the iPhone as a suitable camera for professional video work (mostly as a secondary camera) while simultaneously eliminating the only effective method for transferring significant amounts of 4K (and eventually 8K) video footage. For those using an iPhone for professional videography, a wired connection remains essential.
Would You Trade USB-C for Thinner Design?
We invite you to participate in our poll and share your thoughts in the comments below.
Image Credit: Oppo
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