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

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

imac video apple feature

Apple Released Yet Another New Product Today

Friday March 20, 2026 2:39 pm PDT by
Apple has unveiled a whopping nine new products so far this March, including an iPhone 17e, iPad Air models with the M4 chip, MacBook Air models with the M5 chip, MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, the all-new MacBook Neo, an updated Studio Display, a higher-end Studio Display XDR, AirPods Max 2, and now the Nike Powerbeats Pro 2. iPhone 17e features the same overall design as...
iPhone 18 Pro Deep Red Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Wednesday March 18, 2026 7:39 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another six months or so, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component...
ios 26 4 pastel

iOS 26.4: Top 10 New Features Coming to Your iPhone

Friday March 20, 2026 2:44 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 isn't the major update with new Siri features that we hoped for, but there are some useful quality of life improvements, and a little bit of fun with an AI playlist generator and new emoji characters. Playlist Playground - Apple Music has a Playlist Playground option that lets you generate playlists from text-based descriptions. You can include moods, feelings, activities, or...

Top Rated Comments

Agent OrangeZ Avatar
57 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
57 months ago
If this brilliant student can do it… why can’t you Apple?
Score: 40 Votes (Like | Disagree)
reyesmac Avatar
57 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)
57 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
57 months ago
I would line up and buy it! USB-C is better, IMO.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nwcs Avatar
57 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)