Will Apple adopt USB-C for the iPhone or will it consolidate to a portless device? That's the big question on many people's minds right now, and there is no clear answer. But the Apple Watch 7 may give us some clues as to what Apple is preparing.

According to filings with the FCC, the Apple Watch 7 includes a 60.5 GHz module for wireless communication with a secret dock. Unfortunately, it is not something that Apple Watch 7 owners can use.

The Apple Watch has always had a hidden diagnostic port that is off-limits to users. It is not clear if Apple has abandoned that physical port this time around, but it appears that a wireless option has been added. Perhaps this secret dock is meant to make it a little easier for Genius Bar staff to fix problems.

The idea of an iPhone without ports is not new. While there have been rumors that Apple may launch a portless phone with the iPhone 13, some leakers claim that Apple's plans have moved from Lightning to portless and nothing in between.

Portless phones clearly have their challenges, as Lightning or USB-C ports are the primary means of both charging batteries and transferring large amounts of data. The lack of a port means that a wireless workaround is needed, ideally one that is as reliable as a wired connection.

Apple already has a portless charging solution in the form of MagSafe, but so far the charging speed is limited to 12 W. The wireless diagnostic module in the Apple Watch 7 suggests that data transfer is not a concern either.

It is not entirely clear whether this data transfer will be integrated into MagSafe or other data transfer docks, if it will be done. Just because it is incorporated into one Apple product does not necessarily mean that it will be incorporated into other products; the USB-C in MacBooks and some iPads is a prime example.

Whatever happens, it will be interesting to see how this plays out. After all, with the EU already threatening more to force Apple to adopt USB-C, and Lightning having just celebrated its ninth birthday, it would seem that Apple needs to brace itself and see what the future holds.

Whether Apple goes wireless or USB-C, the answer is unlikely to be clear for some time, and we will have to wait patiently as iPhone 14 leaks and rumors begin to hit the web more frequently.