Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)
Introduction
The fact that the iPhone 15 series features USB-C ports is definitely good news in the long run. But it may not be so for long-time Apple users who have many Lightning cables. To prevent users from wasting resources, Apple has introduced the USB-C to Lightning Adapter.
ChargerLAB got this adapter immediately. And next, we will take a look at its build quality compared to similar products we have previously took apart, such as the USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter.
Product Appearance
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217431869.jpeg)
As usual, the packaging box adopts the Apple style.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217431914.jpeg)
It shows you how to use the product on the back.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217432141.jpeg)
The model is A2868.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217432226.jpeg)
This adapter is compatible with iPhone and iPad models that come with USB-C port.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217432654.jpeg)
The box contains the adapter itself and some documents.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217432675.jpeg)
The cable part is also in a woven design, just like the included USB-C cable for the iPhone 15 series.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217432873.jpeg)
The USB-C connector adopts a non-full-pin design, and the pins are gold-plated.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217432970.jpeg)
There is no protective sleeve between the connector and the cable.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217433193.jpeg)
And there's a Lightning icon on the other side.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217433399.jpeg)
The length is only about 11cm (4.33 inches), which makes perfect sense for an adapter.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217433574.jpeg)
And the diameter is about 3.6mm (0.14 inches).
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217433686.jpeg)
This is how it looks like on my hand, pretty tiny.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217433927.jpeg)
The weight is about 10g (0.35 oz).
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217434013.jpeg)
The ChargerLAB POWER-Z KM003C shows it doesn't have E-marker chip, obviously.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217434765.png)
This product arrived before the iPhone 15 series, so we can only perform a simple test on the iPad Pro. The charging power can reach up to 25.75W.
Teardown
Next, let's begin the actual teardown.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217434771.jpeg)
Firstly, use the cutting machine to cut off the USB-C connector. Just the Apple 240W USB-C Charge Cable we just took apart before, it has a steel sleeve to protect internal components, which is fixed by plenty of solder joints.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217434917.jpeg)
Continuing to remove the steel sleeve, you can see a lot of potting compound on top of the black PCB.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217435091.jpeg)
All the wires are connected to this side, all of which are reinforced with glue.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217435262.jpeg)
And there are no components on the back.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217435327.jpeg)
Moving on to the Lightning part, it also has a steel sleeve to protect internal components.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217435734.png)
There is soft rubber on the shell for fixing.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217435725.jpeg)
Continuing to remove the steel sleeve, there are two PCBs inside.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217440184.png)
They were originally connected through the extension parts within the red frame.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217440026.jpeg)
The first PCB is covered with a lot of potting compound.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217440344.jpeg)
The solder joints of the wires are reinforced with glue.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217440496.jpeg)
The back only has potting compound.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217440729.jpeg)
The other PCB also has potting compound applied in the same way.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217440894.jpeg)
And there is nothing on the back.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217441138.jpeg)
Next is the cable, you can see red, yellow, blue and green wires.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217441234.jpeg)
There's a layer of white TPE, followed by the shielding net.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217441414.jpeg)
No aluminum foil.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217441674.jpeg)
Here is a close-up of the cable's internal structure, including the outer woven layer, white TPE, shielding net, and data wires.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217441851.jpeg)
These two positive power supply wires are made of tinned copper.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217442065.jpeg)
Here is the green wire.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217442329.jpeg)
Purple wire.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217442499.jpeg)
Yellow wire.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217442848.jpeg)
Blue wire.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217442948.jpeg)
These five bare tinned copper wires are used for negative power supply.
![Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (A2868)-Chargerlab](https://www.chargerlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023100217485458-scaled.jpg)
Well, that would be all the components of the two connectors and the cable.
Summary of ChargerLAB
In terms of build quality, the extensive use of potting compound inside and the special way of connecting the two PCBs are top-tier. And these advantages somehow justify the $29 price tag.
If you already have plenty of Lightning cables on hand, it is recommended to purchase this adapter to help protect the environment. If not, you may consider buying a brand new USB-C to USB-C cable instead.
Related Articles:
1. Teardown of USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter (For iPad 10th Gen)
2. Teardown of Apple USB-C to SD Card Reader (For Mac and iPad)
3. Teardown of Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter (Video)