Charging cables query on differences

Question

Charging cables query on differences

Do I understand correctly that the charging cables and docks are different for the original iphone and the newer 3G/3Gs versions. If that is indeed so how does one recognise which is which ?

I have two cables - a 2G version and a 3G version - they look identical. Is there a problem if I use the wrong cable ?

Mac Mini, iPhone 3G, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Jul 1, 2009 3:40 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 1, 2009 4:44 PM in response to Dan Mitchell1

Any iPod/iPhone USB cable will work with any iPhone. A FireWire iPod cable will not.

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Answer 2

peterhs

Level 1

5 points

Jul 1, 2009 5:01 PM in response to Dan Mitchell1

Those two cables are identical and it does not matter which one you use.

The difference in the docks stems from the changed shape of the iPhone body.

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Answer 3

Jul 2, 2009 1:33 AM in response to peterhs

I asked because an examination of the pins in my two connectors shows that they are indeed different, and I vaguely remember a comment somewhere that there was a difference with respect to battery charging. My external AA battery charger has two different heads for original iPhone and the later versions.

DM

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Answer 4

Jul 2, 2009 5:47 AM in response to Dan Mitchell1

The 3G iPhone requires a signal from the charging port that the original does not. This signal has always been present in Apple chargers, and is also present in computer USB ports. That is why the charger has 2 ports. However, that doesn't make all that much sense, because the original iPhone can charge from a 3G port.

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Answer 5

Jul 3, 2009 3:48 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

What happens, then, if you try to charge a 3G phone using a 2G charging lead ?

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Answer 6

Jul 3, 2009 4:35 AM in response to Dan Mitchell1

It works. The USB cables are all compatible with all iPhones. But some non-Apple USB CHARGERS won't charge the 3G and 3GS. They won't hurt it, either, however.

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Answer 7

Aug 27, 2009 6:06 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

News to me. a lot of them wont.. They present the message.."This is not made to work with this device" or some sch thing. I just bought cig lighter charger that will not work with nano or iphone. It will work with video ipod. I also have a thing I connected to my Prius so I could use iphone..it only works with older ipods. They will play, but only in airplane mode. No charging.

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