In 2021, Ken Pillonel caused a stir by modifying an iPhone to replace its Lightning port with a USB-C port that works both for recharging the battery and for data. The experience of this engineer had shown that it would be quite possible to replace Apple’s proprietary port with USB-C, a technology adopted by all other brands, if the firm wished.
On the first of April, Pillonel published a new video. And this time, he did the opposite: modify an Android smartphone (a Samsung Galaxy A51) to replace USB-C with a Lightning.
“After creating the world’s first USB-C iPhone, I decided I had to balance the chaos I had created by doing the exact opposite invention. It was a complex modification that required original thinking. And sprinkle some DIY on top”reads the description of the video posted on his YouTube channel.
Quoted by the Engadget site, Pillonel also mentions the difficulties related to the Lightning port. Indeed, according to him, the cables sold by Apple would not be “stupid” and that they were designed to only charge Apple products. Thus, we would have had to find a way to make the cable believe that it is charging an iPhone.
All this is real, but Pillonel indicates that he deliberately published this “ironic” project on the first of April. “I don’t expect anyone in their right mind to want to do this on their device”did he declare. “It was for fun, I just wanted to see if I could do it. »
A useless invention
It is very hard to think that one day an Android smartphone manufacturer will use Apple’s Lightning port. On the other hand, it is possible that in a few years, the firm will launch iPhones with USB-C ports.
On some iPads, Apple has already replaced its proprietary port with USB-C. In addition, the firm could be constrained by future European legislation.
Indeed, the EU is currently considering draft legislation that would require smartphone manufacturers to use USB-C. “European consumers have been annoyed by the accumulation of incompatible chargers in their drawers for long enough”explained Margrethe Vestager, executive vice-president for a Europe fit for the digital age, in 2021. “We’ve given the industry plenty of time to come up with their own solutions, but now is the time to take legislative action for a universal charger. This is a significant gain for our consumers and our environment, in line with our ecological and digital ambitions. »
However, some media outlets are suggesting that instead of adopting the USB-C port, Apple could also produce portless iPhones that only charge through MagSafe magnetic and wireless charging. But of course, for the moment, this is only speculation.
