iPhone gets USB-C thanks to creative robotics engineer
An iPhone has been modified to use a USB-C connection instead of Lightning, in a project that hints at what to expect from the often-rumored port changeover.
Apple has slowly been migrating its products over to USB-C connectivity, with the iPad mini the latest to make the transition. While the iPhone has yet to make the jump, a YouTube video shows one enterprising owner is already using USB-C with his smartphone.
In a YouTube Short titled "World's First USB-C iPhone," Ken Pillonel claims to have installed the component into the iPhone X, replacing Lightning in the process. In the video, the iPhone is said to receive power via the connection, as well as being able to handle data transfers over a USB-C cable.
In the description of the video, Pillonel says he reverse-engineered Apple's C94 connector, in order to make a PCB with a female USB-C port. After the schematics were set in place, it then became a challenge to shrink it down and install it into an iPhone.
Pillonel has spent a few months on his creation, with a blog post from May showing the thinking behind the replacement, and the challenges of replacing the Lightning port itself. A video at that time showed a DIY prototype that worked and laid out the work ahead to make it small enough to work within an iPhone enclosure.
A late September update advised he had designed and ordered a flexible PCB, a key component in enabling the port switch to occur. He adds a future video is in production, explaining how the board was made and squeezed into the iPhone itself.
While the project offers hope to those keen for Apple to leave Lighting behind, it is not an undertaking that regular iPhone owners can expect to perform for themselves. Pillonel has a background in electronics and has studied for a Master's degree in robotics at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, EPFL, meaning he has the skills and knowledge to pull of the feat.
According to Apple's Repair Terms and Conditions, unauthorized modifications could deem an iPhone to be considered as "Out-of-Warranty" when in need of repair, if they prevent Apple from addressing the reported issue with the device. Such additions could incur additional costs, or prevent Apple from performing a repair at all.
The European Commission proposed legislation in September that would designate USB-C as the standard charging port for all mobile devices. If enacted, Apple would have two years to add the connection to the iPhone.
Read on AppleInsider
Apple has slowly been migrating its products over to USB-C connectivity, with the iPad mini the latest to make the transition. While the iPhone has yet to make the jump, a YouTube video shows one enterprising owner is already using USB-C with his smartphone.
In a YouTube Short titled "World's First USB-C iPhone," Ken Pillonel claims to have installed the component into the iPhone X, replacing Lightning in the process. In the video, the iPhone is said to receive power via the connection, as well as being able to handle data transfers over a USB-C cable.
In the description of the video, Pillonel says he reverse-engineered Apple's C94 connector, in order to make a PCB with a female USB-C port. After the schematics were set in place, it then became a challenge to shrink it down and install it into an iPhone.
Pillonel has spent a few months on his creation, with a blog post from May showing the thinking behind the replacement, and the challenges of replacing the Lightning port itself. A video at that time showed a DIY prototype that worked and laid out the work ahead to make it small enough to work within an iPhone enclosure.
A late September update advised he had designed and ordered a flexible PCB, a key component in enabling the port switch to occur. He adds a future video is in production, explaining how the board was made and squeezed into the iPhone itself.
While the project offers hope to those keen for Apple to leave Lighting behind, it is not an undertaking that regular iPhone owners can expect to perform for themselves. Pillonel has a background in electronics and has studied for a Master's degree in robotics at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, EPFL, meaning he has the skills and knowledge to pull of the feat.
According to Apple's Repair Terms and Conditions, unauthorized modifications could deem an iPhone to be considered as "Out-of-Warranty" when in need of repair, if they prevent Apple from addressing the reported issue with the device. Such additions could incur additional costs, or prevent Apple from performing a repair at all.
The European Commission proposed legislation in September that would designate USB-C as the standard charging port for all mobile devices. If enacted, Apple would have two years to add the connection to the iPhone.
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
Lightning works fine for iPhones but it’s becoming isolated as a connector. The USB C is more widespread and apple itself is using it on many other devices, not to mention the EU mandate. The main problem will be a lot of people will need USB A - USB C cables because the prevalence of USB A outlets/receptacles still dwarfs USB C.
I believe we will see the deletion of the lightning port not a replacement. Apple's is waiting until enough owners start using wireless charging so the uproar will be less. Not helping is the impact of COVID, which resulted in some vehicle manufactures having to drop wireless charging for the time being.
They probably took a similar approach to dropping the headphone jack and charger.
A few more release and they'll drop the box too and our phones will come wrapped only in recycled paper.
If they are going to do that, they need to include a MagSafe charging puck. They don't even have to include the brick. Selling it without either would require anyone without a wireless charger to buy one. The lawyers are already salivating around the globe on that one.
I don't see any of those are being all that detrimental. The cost is minimal. There's no need for the "other" lightning capabilities you mention. A lot of people aren't using wired earbuds anyway. Now, there will always be complaints...that I get. But a USB-C to lightning adapter can't be that much to to include. Ultimately, they may go whole hog and just get rid of the port entirely, going to MagSafe completely.
Waterproofing shouldn't be an issue - there are other USB C phones that are waterproof. I don't know how much additional cost would be involved with increasing the data rates; Apple has already added USB C to the iPad, so I'm sure they know.
A lot of people were annoyed with the switch from 30-pin to lightning but lightning sold itself as it was clearly better. You're right that USB C has fewer advantages. On the other hand, Apple has repeatedly made clear that it's not afraid to piss people off. I don't think USB C to audio is a big deal, though, there are tons of USB C headphones around.
Several people have said they think Apple will eliminate the connector totally. I'm not sure they can do this. Wired charging is still clearly superior to wireless both in terms of speed, functionality and energy efficiency. Additionally, the vast majority of CarPlay enabled cars require a wired connection. Eliminating a wired connection makes them obsolete.
That said, Steve Jobs correctly pointed out that convenience trumps quality. Apple will probably find some way to market its approach as better for the environment when looked at holistically, and enough people will be ambivalent about the tradeoffs that sales will continue at record levels.
It can be made more efficient than it is currently, yes. But never as efficient as wired, and never something approaching a superconductor.