Charging the iPhone 3G when planning a trip to South Korea

Using the USB 30-pin Apple cable and a 2 pin Type C power charger to recharge your iPhone 3G with a South Korean power outlet and powering the iPhone 3G using a 2 pin Type F power adapter.

South Korean power outlet

Complicated combinations of frequencies and standards can often be confusing when planning on staying in another country especially if you've never been there before. With only a handful of different types of sockets being used in the world this article shows exactly what you'll need to pick up in advance to charge your iPhone 3G . These instructions have been written to help assist people wanting to power their iPhone 3G when staying abroad.When you're visiting South Korea this page has instructions showing you charging the iPhone 3G by using their standard Type F or C 220 volt 60Hz wall outlets, you will discover a majority of South Koreans normally use the Type F power outlets. If you are travelling to South Korea from another country ensure that your iPhone 3G can be charged using a 240v supply. If the iPhone 3G was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts check the device is dual voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional voltage converter to stop the device from being damaged when charging it. These instructions assume you are running Apple iOS 4 or greater on the iPhone 3G.

Charging the iPhone 3G in South Korea

Can you use the iPhone 3G in South Korea?

You can use the iPhone 3G in South Korea by using a power adaptor.

What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 3G in South Korea?

If you are travelling to multiple countries and bringing along more than your iPhone 3G the best international travel adapter for South Korea is a multiple USB port charger which includes compatible plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. South Koreans use two different types of power outlets (types F and C) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for type C.

Because these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable pins and can handle 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries around the world just by switching the supplied plugs over. If your type of iPhone 3G supports Fast Charge then you'll benefit from much quicker recharging times by using one of these USB power adapters along with compatibility with more power demanding devices like tablets. This means you can charge multiple devices simultaneously without needing to bring seperate travel chargers on your trip or using up additional power sockets. Because you are only packing a single lightweight travel charger will also keep the size and weight down, making it perfect to store in hand baggage and on hand for recharging your iPhone 3G at an airport or on the flight. Due to their space saving flexibility these types of power adapters can be used back at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple tablets, phones and e-readers without using up an additional wall outlet.

For those travelling to South Korea we suggest searching for an adaptable travel charger of this nature at your preferred electronics retailer - the travel charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries.

Alternative travel adapter for South Korea

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to recharge devices using USB, however for visitors also wishing to use their domestic plugs these power adapters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All three power converters offer surge protection which can be crucial when visiting regions with unreliable or unstable power grids. These power converters come with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both South Korea and over 150 countries around the world:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the most popular portable power adapter for travellers originating from North America going to South Korea using 3 pin type B plug sockets.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the travel adapter from Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs. This is a much more cost effective alternative to the BESTEK with only one less AC outlet at almost half price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has 2 AC outlets but offers 5 USB charging ports. This versatile power strip is compatible with both American plugs and popular plug types A, D,E/F, G, H, I, L and N making it ideal for most travellers from around the world visiting South Korea. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel charger for recharging the iPhone 3G in South Korea?

Powering the iPhone 3G with a South Korean power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Using the USB 30-pin Apple cable and a 2 pin Type C power charger to recharge your iPhone 3G with a South Korean power outlet.

  1. To charge the iPhone 3G from a South Korean power outlet you'll need to buy a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple usually include this USB cable with the iPhone 3G).
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter into the wall supply. You can recognise this plug supply by the 2 round holes next to each other where the two plug outlet pins sit. Type C electrical outlets in South Korea might not be as commonplace as Type F outlets.
  3. Then connect one end of the USB cable into the bottom of the USB power adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 3G. The iPhone 3G dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3G.
  4. Turn on the South Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of the mobile will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 3G is powering up and takes roughly 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 3G with a South Korean power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

Powering the iPhone 3G with a South Korean power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

Instructions showing how to charge your iPhone 3G with a South Korean power outlet using a 30-pin Apple cable and a Type F USB charger.

  1. If you want to power your iPhone 3G using the South Korean power outlet you will need to use a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5], this USB cable is normally already included with the device by Apple.
  2. Start by taking the Type F USB power plug adapter and plugging it in the wall supply. You can identify the wall outlet by two large adjacent holes for live and neutral pins along with a pair of thin grounding clips at the top and bottom. Type F power sockets will be the most commonly used outlets in South Korea.
  3. Plug in one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 3G. The iPhone 3G dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3G.
  4. Switch on the South Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPhone 3G screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is charging which should take roughly 1-4 hours to recharge. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 3G with a South Korean power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type F Schuko USB adapter

See also

  1. Visitkorea - Korea Tourism Organization site
  2. Apple - official iPhone 3G user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  4. Type C USB power plug adapter - Conforming to Europlug specifications, the Type C USB power plug adapter incorporates two 4 mm rounded pins spaced 19 mm apart. It is engineered to adapt electrical outlets commonly found in Europe, converting them to USB-compatible charging ports..
  5. USB to Apple 30 pin cable - This connects compatible iPhones, iPods and iPads to a USB port for charging, syncing and playing music.
  6. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  7. Type F USB power plug adapter - Compliant with Europlugs and CEE 7/17 specifications, the Type F or Schuko adapter is engineered to adapt German electrical power outlets into USB-compatible ports..
  8. 4 Port USB Wall Charger - A 4-port USB wall charger is an electrical device that provides simultaneous charging for up to four USB-compatible devices. It often includes interchangeable international plug adapters for global use..