In 2021, engineer Ken Belonal did what Apple rejected. The world’s first iPhone with a working USB-C port. Now, Billonel has flipped the script with its latest project: the first Android phone with Lightning connectivity.
Admittedly, an Android phone with a Lightning port doesn’t have cross-calling like a USB-C iPhone, but it’s okay. In his opening video, according to Billonell, the device was a fun project created to “balance the chaos” launched by his previous device, whose release was deliberately earmarked for April Fools’ Day.
However, putting this thing together isn’t funny, because while the concept is nonsense, the Lightning port on an Android phone (in this case the Samsung Galaxy A51) is fully functional for charging and data transfer. “[This] It was a complex transition and required some thinking outside of it.”
“The Thunderbolt cables that Apple sells are not stupid,” he said. “They only ship Apple devices. So I had to find a way to trick people into thinking the cable is connected to the Apple device. And everything had to be attached to the phone, and that was another challenge.
Fortunately, Bellonel learned a thing or two from his previous project, which helped lay the foundation for his latest device. “I would say it was easier than the first USB-C iPhone for two reasons,” he said. “First of all, I get better at it every day as I learn new things, so I hope I can finish these edits faster and faster. Second, the quality of the final product is no better than it has been on the iPhone anywhere.
While I would say that the Lightning-equipped Android phone is an obvious downside compared to the standard USB-C port, it doesn’t seem to bother Pilon. “I didn’t expect anyone of a sound mind would want to do this on their devices,” he said. “It’s fun, I just wanted to see if I could do it.”
What’s next for this unique tool? For those looking for more details on what happened on the project, Billonel says he’s working on creating a full presentation video soon. His youtube channel. As for the phone, Billonel says he will keep the original iPhone USB-C open for auction after he runs into trouble when he bids on eBay, which received more than $100,000 in fake bids.
“I don’t want to force myself to try to sell it, because it’s not really me,” Belonal said. I want to focus on my engineering and scientific projects.”
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