Ken Pillonel, the Swiss robotics engineer who likes to challenge Apple’s walled garden, is back with another innovation: a snap-on phone case from his Obsoless brand that turns the Lightning port into USB-C on compatible iPhones, no tools or expertise needed.
Pillonel started with a widespread Apple user problem: the Lightning port. Introduced in 2012 as a sleeker replacement for the 30-pin connector, it became outdated as USB-C became the standard across laptops and Android devices. Apple’s gradual shift to USB-C, forced by EU regulations for newer iPhones, left owners of older models with scarce Lightning cables and adapters. In 2021 Pillonel reverse-engineered Apple’s C94 connector, the chip in Lightning cables, to build a USB-C iPhone X.
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As of July 23, 2025 Pillonel has turned that proof-of-concept into a user-friendly product. The Obsoless case connects to an iPhone’s Lightning port and reroutes it to an embedded USB-C port, supports 20 models from iPhone XR to iPhone 14—all Lightning-era devices that can run the latest iOS. It charges fast up to 20 watts, USB 2.0 data transfers at 480Mbps (same as Lightning) and full CarPlay support.
Designing the case was an engineering feat. Pillonel placed the USB-C port on the bottom right corner to keep it sleek. A 90-degree flex PCB wraps around the iPhone’s speaker, the case is 2.3mm thick and adds only 9 grams of weight. Fast charging generates heat but copper planes in the flex circuit limit the temperature increase to under 4°C. Nice touches include a SIM card slot for travelers, a lanyard attachment and MagSafe compatibility for wireless charging.
Unlike Pillonel’s previous mods that required technical skills, this case is plug-and-play. The two-part plastic shell snaps onto the phone with a custom latching mechanism inspired by pen clickers and belt buckles. The internal connector aligns precisely with the Lightning port and the USB-C port takes over seamlessly. Priced between $45 and $55 it’s cheaper than Apple’s silicone cases and much less than a new iPhone.
