iPhone 5: Teardown of Apple Lightning Connector Reveals Authentication Chips [Report]

Following the iFixit teardown of the Apple iPhone 5 to know its repairability score, a user has ripped apart the new Lightning connector cable and shared its details claiming that consumers should not get Lightning connectors from the third-party vendors for now.

According to an AppleInsider report, Peter from Double Helix Cables has torn the Lightning connector and discovered the authentication chips including one between the V+ contact of the USB and power pin of the plug. These authentication chips are responsible for the shootup of the price of these new cables.

In an earlier report, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo notes that the new Lightning connector costing $3.50 represents a rise of 775% in the average selling price as compared to the 30-pin dock connector costing $0.40.

However, consumers can buy this new connector from third party sellers on online retailer sites for cheaper prices, but the official connectors are the best bet and they are the recommended ones.

Peter as noted that anyone can build their own lighting connector in terms of shape and connectivity, but the main chip in the signal path of the V+ wire is a must to charge the iPhone 5.