Lightning iPhones get real USB-C support with custom case

AppleInsider

A new iPhone case from engineer Ken Pillonel lets anyone add a USB-C port to an older Lightning iPhone, with no disassembly required.

USB-C on any iPhone

Pillonel is best known for creating the first USB-C iPhone in 2021, a one-off project that went viral among tech fans and right-to-repair advocates. Now, after several years of work, he's turned the idea into something anyone can use.

His new case slips over an iPhone and adds a working USB-C port that supports charging, data transfer, and CarPlay. The case includes a custom circuit that handles fast charging and full-speed data transfer.

It avoids the usual problems seen in adapters, which often fail under load or break easily. The USB-C port connects directly to the Lightning interface through the case, so there's no need to open the phone or use tools.

Pillonel says he designed the case as a response to planned obsolescence. He wants people to get more life out of older devices without having to upgrade or rely on fragile accessories.

A push for sustainability

Apple has started moving to USB-C on newer iPhones, but older Lightning models are still widely used. Pillonel's case gives those devices a second wind, offering users a chance to modernize without buying a new phone.

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His video, launching July 23 on YouTube, shows the case in action and walks through how it works. Pillonel also previously launched USB-C cases for AirPods, and those quickly drew interest from the repair community.

The iPhone case isn't up for sale just yet, but Pillonel says it's real and working. He's hoping it inspires others to think differently about how tech is designed, used, and upgraded.

A note on planned obsolescence

Apple drew a lot of negative attention when it moved to the Lightning connector on iPhone, then USB-C on Mac within a few short years. The company even promised, and upheld, that the Lightning connector would be in place for at least ten years.

The move to USB-C was a necessary step to ensure Apple didn't face unnecessary regulation or fines because of its proprietary port. The idea that Apple moved ports to force users to upgrade to newer port types is an odd one, especially since the new port is more universal and allows Android and iPhone users to share chargers.

The new iPhone case definitely serves the purpose of bringing USB-C to aging iPhones, but it doesn't really change anything about how long Apple plans to support those devices. The iPhone 15 debuted the port in 2023, and iOS 26 supports devices going back to 2019, so it isn't as if those devices have stopped working just because they use a Lightning connector.

That said, if and when Pillonel's case comes to market, it'll provide an interesting in-between step for those still holding on to older iPhones that want to embrace USB-C before upgrading their device. And with iPhone 16e and used iPhone 15 models available, users should really consider just making the leap sooner rather than later.



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mike1

Clever, but it's not a product. It's a 'look what I can do' prototype.

Also, other than not needing to have a Lightning cable around, what's the point? It wouldn't add any functionality or improvement to an older iPhone. The phone won't charge or transfer data any faster.

In the real world, did anyone upgrade an iPhone just to get the USB-C connector? Maybe some folks wanted the improvements that were added, but the connector itself? I doubt it.

prof

mike1 said:

Also, other than not needing to have a Lightning cable around, what's the point?

I agree. There's literally nothing new here other than integrating the Lightning to USB-C Adapter into a case which is interesting at best. Will I now replace go and replace all of my families cases for all the different iPhones with new ones? Certainly not... We're quite accustomed to having both USB-C and Lightning cables around, luckily we were able to eliminate all uses of Micro USB.

loopless

Honestly, kudos to the EU for forcing this change. 

For me, it was never phones that were the problem.  It was all those other rechargeable electronic devices like headlamps, security cameras, under desk lights, electric toothbrushes, etc etc that hand a mixture of USB-A, micro-USB and some other annoying USB "standards".

tht

Pillonel says he designed the case as a response to planned obsolescence. He wants people to get more life out of older devices without having to upgrade or rely on fragile accessories.

The design of his case has the USBC port in the corner. All it takes is a drop on that corner and that port could become unusable.

And since it is a case, something people change out quite a bit, is it any more sustainable than this?




Or just continuing to use existing Lightning cables, which there is many?

angussugna

I'm surprised at the negative comments. I can only presume they are from owners of Usb-C iPhones.

As an iPhone 13 Mini owner I think this is a great idea. As there appears to be no plans for a small iPhone, something like this can give me the ability to use C cables without having to carry either a Lightning cable or one of those adapters which are easily lost or seem to be detrimental to the phones input. 

Apart from its neutral polarity I find Lightning cables to be iffy. I suppose because the contacts are exposed. With Usb-C those issues are no more.

If priced fairly I would buy one. I'm thinking $20-$40. That way my beloved Mini can keep on being the best sized iPhone –  apart from the original

victormortimer

I'm not sure why the article indicates these aren't already for sale.

He's sold out of the first couple product runs.  But the iPhone 14 cases are still available to order for mid-September delivery.  $60 is a bit high, but it's cool enough I'm probably going to get one when they're ready in black for my 13 Pro Max.  I absolutely loathe Lightning, always have.

Oh, here's the site:  https://obsoless.com/products/iph0n3-usb-c-protection-case

edited July 24

saarek

“ The company even promised, and upheld, that the Lightning connector would be in place for at least ten years.” 

The frustrating part about lightning was that it could, and should, have been developed more. Apple left it to languish at shitty slow data transfer speeds, etc, allowing USB-C to become the clear winner.

When the EU came looking at ports there was no obvious reason to keep Lightning around. Had it offered something superior to USB-C they’d have had a much harder time creating the mandate.

tht

saarek said:

“ The company even promised, and upheld, that the Lightning connector would be in place for at least ten years.” 

The frustrating part about lightning was that it could, and should, have been developed more. Apple left it to languish at shitty slow data transfer speeds, etc, allowing USB-C to become the clear winner.

When the EU came looking at ports there was no obvious reason to keep Lightning around. Had it offered something superior to USB-C they’d have had a much harder time creating the mandate.

There were not many reasons to keep Lightning with Thunderbolt and USBC available. I think Apple's intention was to transition iPads, iPhones and accessories to the TB/USBC port, and the EU mandate really didn't do much to change Apple's transition pace to the TB/USBC port. This is why they didn't iterate on Lightning's capabilities. The plan was to move to TB/USBC.

tiredskills

tht said:

And since it is a case, something people change out quite a bit, is it any more sustainable than this?

Can you recommend a brand of these that aren't a pile of crap?

tht

tiredskills said:

tht said:

And since it is a case, something people change out quite a bit, is it any more sustainable than this?

Can you recommend a brand of these that aren't a pile of crap?

I don't have any recommendations. I don't actually have one. I just use my existing Lightning cables. If I get this case, I would need to get more USBC cables, and that goes against sustainability, right? I do have a few USBA-to-USBC adaptors like this. They are fine so far. Use them for keyboards and mice.

When I search on Amazon, I just try to find the most compact, and elegant, ones possible. These are for iPhones, maybe iPads, and they aren't supporting anything more than 10 W charging (5V 2A) and USB2 data rates. Not much to worry about there. (I don't remember if the 2017 iPad Pros supported 20 W?)

It's really when you move to all USBC where things can get confusing. You really want TB4/TB5 approved cables for monitor and computer applications. An iPad Pro with TB too. For USBC on phones, adaptors, charging bricks, SSDs, good luck! There are a lot of charging rates and data rates to make sure are compatible across the chain.

tiredskills

tht said:

tiredskills said:

tht said:

And since it is a case, something people change out quite a bit, is it any more sustainable than this?

Can you recommend a brand of these that aren't a pile of crap?

I don't have any recommendations. I don't actually have one. I just use my existing Lightning cables. If I get this case, I would need to get more USBC cables, and that goes against sustainability, right? 

Sure, don't get one then.  Some people have loads of USB-C cables.  Your experience is not reflective of all.