Student Mods an iPhone X to Add a Functional USB-C Port

Apple seems to have no plans to replace the iPhone's Lightning port with a USB-C port to bring it in line with Macs and iPads, but robotics student Ken Pillonel spent months hacking an ‌iPhone‌ to add a USB-C port.


In early October, Pillonel shared a video demonstrating the "world's first ‌iPhone‌ with a USB Type-C port," and now he's shared a second video explaining how he pulled it off.

Pillonel explains how he built a proof of concept and the steps that he went through to design a functional USB-C port that actually fit inside the ‌iPhone‌. It's a technical video, but it does walk through all the steps for those who are interested and for those who might want to attempt their own modification.

iphone with usb c port
The modded ‌iPhone‌ X with a USB-C port is being auctioned off on eBay, with Pillonel guaranteeing a functional phone on arrival. Buyers are forbidden from updating or erasing the ‌iPhone‌, opening it up, or using it as a daily phone. So far, the bidding has exceeded $800.

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Vertical Camera Feature

iPhone SE 4 Production Will Reportedly Begin Ramping Up in October

Tuesday July 23, 2024 2:00 pm PDT by
Following nearly two years of rumors about a fourth-generation iPhone SE, The Information today reported that Apple suppliers are finally planning to begin ramping up mass production of the device in October of this year. If accurate, that timeframe would mean that the next iPhone SE would not be announced alongside the iPhone 16 series in September, as expected. Instead, the report...
iPhone 17 Plus Feature

iPhone 17 Lineup Specs Detail Display Upgrade and New High-End Model

Monday July 22, 2024 4:33 am PDT by
Key details about the overall specifications of the iPhone 17 lineup have been shared by the leaker known as "Ice Universe," clarifying several important aspects of next year's devices. Reports in recent months have converged in agreement that Apple will discontinue the "Plus" iPhone model in 2025 while introducing an all-new iPhone 17 "Slim" model as an even more high-end option sitting...
Generic iPhone 17 Feature With Full Width Dynamic Island

Kuo: Ultra-Thin iPhone 17 to Feature A19 Chip, Single Rear Camera, Semi-Titanium Frame, and More

Wednesday July 24, 2024 9:06 am PDT by
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today shared alleged specifications for a new ultra-thin iPhone 17 model rumored to launch next year. Kuo expects the device to be equipped with a 6.6-inch display with a current-size Dynamic Island, a standard A19 chip rather than an A19 Pro chip, a single rear camera, and an Apple-designed 5G chip. He also expects the device to have a...
iPhone 16 Pro Sizes Feature

iPhone 16 Series Is Less Than Two Months Away: Everything We Know

Thursday July 25, 2024 5:43 am PDT by
Apple typically releases its new iPhone series around mid-September, which means we are about two months out from the launch of the iPhone 16. Like the iPhone 15 series, this year's lineup is expected to stick with four models – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – although there are plenty of design differences and new features to take into account. To bring ...
icloud private relay outage

iCloud Private Relay Experiencing Outage

Thursday July 25, 2024 3:18 pm PDT by
Apple’s iCloud Private Relay service is down for some users, according to Apple’s System Status page. Apple says that the iCloud Private Relay service may be slow or unavailable. The outage started at 2:34 p.m. Eastern Time, but it does not appear to be affecting all iCloud users. Some impacted users are unable to browse the web without turning iCloud Private Relay off, while others are...
iPhone 17 Plus Feature Purple

iPhone 17 Rumored to Feature Mechanical Aperture

Tuesday July 23, 2024 9:32 am PDT by
Apple is planning to release at least one iPhone 17 model next year with mechanical aperture, according to a report published today by The Information. The mechanical system would allow users to adjust the size of the iPhone 17's aperture, which refers to the opening of the camera lens through which light enters. All existing iPhone camera lenses have fixed apertures, but some Android...

Top Rated Comments

Agent OrangeZ Avatar
36 months ago
"Buyers are forbidden from updating or erasing the iPhone, opening it up, or using it as a daily phone. So far, the bidding has exceeded $800."

So... I can buy something from you, take ownership of it... but I can't do what I want with it? The seems almost the same as buying a standard iPhone from Apple. ?
Score: 44 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
36 months ago
If this brilliant student can do it… why can’t you Apple?
Score: 40 Votes (Like | Disagree)
reyesmac Avatar
36 months ago
In other news, Apple sues college student for doing the same kind of tinkering Apple cofounders did long long ago.
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rmcq Avatar
36 months ago

"Buyers are forbidden from updating or erasing the iPhone, opening it up, or using it as a daily phone. So far, the bidding has exceeded $800."

So... I can buy something from you, take ownership of it... but I can't do what I want with it? The seems almost the same as buying a standard iPhone from Apple. ?
Nah. Selective quoting from MacRumors.


[HEADING=1]By bidding on this auction you agree that:[/HEADING]

* You will not restore, update, or erase this iPhone
* You will not use it as your daily phone
* You will not open it

I guarantee that the phone will work when you receive it but if you don't follow the aforementionned guidelines you are on your own. So basically you can do whatever you want with it but don't expect anything from me if you break something. It is just a prototype.”

That’s the full quote.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple$ Avatar
36 months ago
I would line up and buy it! USB-C is better, IMO.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nwcs Avatar
36 months ago

If this brilliant student can do it… why can’t you Apple?
They haven't said they can't. They said they don't think it's the right option. Of course, they'll probably do it eventually.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)