Engineer One-Ups Apple By Adding a Working USB-C Port to an iPhone

Earlier this fall, the European Union designated USB-C because the frequent charging port for future telephones. While we await Apple to get with this system, an enterprising engineer went forward and made what may be the world’s first iPhone with USB-C.

In a current video on YouTube (through Apple Insider), engineering scholar Ken Pillonel shared how, with plenty of work and a few tough reverse engineering, he was ultimately in a position so as to add a working USB-C port to a contemporary iPhone—an iPhone X, on this case.

Apple has slowly up to date most of its iPad lineup to help USB-C, and many individuals have been hoping the corporate will do the identical for the iPhone. Fully embracing USB-C would make it simpler for Apple machine house owners to make use of the identical cable to cost all their gadgets. Though rumors of USB-C coming to the iPhone date again to 2018 and past, Apple has made no indication that it’ll ever deliver USB-C to its telephones, which is what makes Pillonel’s creation much more spectacular.

In a blog about his USB-C iPhone project, Pillonel stated one of the vital tough elements was determining use Apple’s proprietary C94 connector, which is the circuit Apple sells to third-party accent makers to be used in Lighting cables and connectors. From there, Pillonel was in a position to solder the C94 connector to a conversion board after which connect a USB-C port on the top.

That wasn’t the top of the problem. Pillonel stated the opposite main hurdle was getting all the brand new parts to suit contained in the iPhone’s chassis, which ultimately required him to totally reverse engineer the C94 connector’s circuit board. But ultimately, Pillonel’s onerous work paid off: He claims he was in a position to construct an iPhone with USB-C that may each cost and switch knowledge with out subject.

Unfortunately, these steps are most likely a bit too sophisticated for the typical iPhone proprietor to carry out on their very own machine, however even simply proving it may be performed is a worthy feat by itself. And for anybody courageous sufficient to attempt to create their very own USB-C iPhone, Pillonel stated he’s engaged on a extra in-depth video and a second half to his weblog that can cowl the conversion course of in way more element.

Unfortunately, it appears the remainder of us must proceed to dream a couple of day once we might need an iPhone that may use the identical charging cable as an iPad or most Android handsets. The extra possible consequence is that within the not-too distant future, Apple will merely ditch the Lightning connector and make an iPhone that’s fully portless.