Despite long rumors, Apple still hasn't launched an iPhone with USB-C. But that didn't stop a student from replacing the Lightning port on the iPhone X with USB-C.
The iPhone X with USB-C was created by Ken Pillonel, a robotics student who is currently pursuing a master's degree at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL). Pillonel showcased his unique iPhone through a video on YouTube entitled 'World's First USB-C iPhone'.
Pillonel said he had been working on this project for months. Pillonel had originally created a simple prototype in May that would allow iPhone batteries to be recharged via the USB-C port, but the concept was too big to fit into an iPhone.
In his blog post, Pillonel said he reverse engineered Apple's custom C94 connector, and created a flexible PCB design that could be inserted into an iPhone. Pilonel said he would upload a second video explaining the modification process in more detail.
In the short video, Pillonel shows his modified iPhone X successfully recharging the battery using USB-C. The iPhone can also connect to a Mac and transfer data.
"The motivation behind this project is simple. I just want an iPhone with USB Type-C. Why? Because all the devices I have have USB Type-C so it would be pretty cool to change the iPhone," said Pillonel in his blog, as quoted by The Verge. , Friday (15/10/2021).
This demonstration shows that Apple could actually release an iPhone with USB-C. Apple has also recently introduced the iPad and MacBook with USB-C, but this feature has not yet penetrated the iPhone.
Apple itself could be forced to release an iPhone with USB-C in Europe thanks to new rules set by the European Commission. The regulation requires cellphone and electronic device vendors to use USB-C in their devices in order to reduce electronic waste.
It is unknown whether Pillonel will release details of its custom PCB so other iPhone users can emulate this modification. But for ordinary users, you should not imitate the Pillonel modification method because in addition to being complicated, this modification will also void the iPhone warranty.
This is not the first time Pillonel has used his knowledge and talent to modify mobile phones. Previously he modified the mobile stand for the Samsung Galaxy Fold, and released a 3D-printed mod that allows the Xiaomi Mi Wireless Car Charger to recharge the Galaxy Fold.