If you're still holding out hope that the iPhone 12 will have a USB-C port, you might want to temper your expectations: according to Front Page Tech host and budding Apple leaker Jon Prosser, a USB-C connected iPhone 12 is " absolutely not happening."

Prosser, who very accurately predicted the entire rollout of the new iPhone SE 2020, claims that "Apple will go portless before it goes USB-C." This may put an end to the conflicting iPhone 12 rumors of the past few months. Some rumors had suggested that Apple could indeed switch to the common charging standard found on most Android phones.

Speculation that Apple would adopt USB-C for the iPhone 12 began to gain steam earlier this year when the European Union voted in favor of encouraging smartphone manufacturers to adopt a common global charging standard. Although the standard has not yet been legislated, the likelihood of a USB-C iPhone has increased slightly.

In a statement to the BBC in January, Apple claimed that ditching its own Lightning port would affect "hundreds of millions of active devices and accessories used by European customers" and create massive amounts of electronic waste. However, Apple has abandoned previous charging standards in the past, dropping the 30-pin connector in favor of Lightning in 2012. The company now uses USB-C on its iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air devices.

Given Prosser's relatively strong track record on Apple leaks and Apple's statements against a total switch to USB-C, we are inclined to believe that the iPhone 12 will launch without the popular port. In fact, in response to Prosser's point that Apple is going "portless," we may see a fully wireless iPhone as early as next year.

That said, according to another leak from Prosser last month, he claimed that the rumored return of AirPower is "necessary to push the portless iPhone." According to MacRumors, prominent Apple watcher Ming-Chi Kuo also stated in late 2019 that he expects Apple to launch a fully wireless iPhone by the end of 2021.

Regardless of how long it takes Apple to go completely portless, it seems safe to assume that this year's iPhone 12 will not make the switch to USB-C. Apple's next flagship model could come in as many as four variations this fall, with key features including 5G support, 120Hz displays on high-end models, a new A14 CPU, and advanced camera technology such as the LiDAR depth sensor.