iPhone4 cable issue with bumper
Sunday, July 18th, 2010
Let me preface this by saying I love my iPhone4 and no doubt Apple is going to give me a credit for the bumper I bought for it.
The Apple USB charging cable on the left is the older one although still sold by Apple to work with iPhone4 (see blow), the Apple USB charging cable on the right came with the iPhone4.
With the Apple bumper installed on iPhone4 the newer cable works fine but the older Apple cable doesn’t fit into the phone. Take the bumper off and the older cable works fine.
Apple Dock Connector to USB Cable
This USB 2.0 cable connects your iPod, iPhone, or iPad — directly or through a Dock — to your computer’s USB port for efficient syncing and charging or to the Apple USB Power Adapter for convenient charging from a wall outlet.
As if Apple didn’t have enough public relations problems with the iPhone4… and now everyone will have a bumper.
I don’t know about you but I have a few of these cables I bought as extras and it would be a shame to have to replace them with new ones that Apple doesn’t seem to sell as accessories.
Addendum: After talking with a friend who’s had a 3G, a 3Gs and now an iPhone4, we’ve come to the conclusion that Apple changed the cable when the iPhone 3Gs came out but they’ve failed to update the picture on their store. If you buy that cable from the Apple store you get the newer (smaller) one, not the one pictured. The extra cables he bought from Apple for his 3Gs are the same cable that comes with the iPhone4 and work fine with the bumper.
So, this problem only affects people who bought iPhone charging cables pre-iPhone 3Gs.
Hi Richard
This problem’s been around since the 4th generation iPod Nanos were released a couple of years ago … they require the USB cable for charging and only the cable comes with the iPod. Not the power adaptor for charging at a power point, which had to be purchased separately. I think Apple assumes that people will more likely be charging when connected to their computer, but this is wrong imho.
Sheryl: Glad to see it’s not just me who’s found this. Actually, comments on various web sites including Apple’s is pointing to the idea that Apple has changed the part and there isn’t backward compatibility but not everyone has bought multiple cables so no doubt they’re hoping it slips under the rug. I found one more cable in my collection that actually works with the iPhone4 with bumper so I’m set at this point and my wife can use all of my older cables on her iPhone 3G. Still, I’d be bummed if I had to buy a whole new set of cables. Sigh.
There’s got to be a Market for a converter to these old cables to make them fit the iPhone 4. Especially now that Apple will be giving away bumpers.
I’ve not come across one yet.
Have we got any Dragons out there?
Colin: All you have to do is shave the slightest bit off the edge of the plastic and it fits. I whittled one of mine down, works fine. The cable and electrical connection is fine, it’s the plastic that’s too fat to go into the slot in the bumper. Just shave a hair off, it’ll work.
This company is working on an adapter. The current one doesn’t fit. You can sign up for their news letter and get an update when the product is ready.
http://www.sendstation.com/us/products/dockextender/
Thanks McJaded. The simplest solution is to simply buy a new cable which is cheaper than a “dock extender.” That’s what I did, giving my old cables to my wife to use on her 3G.
I just purchased a “spare” iphone charger for my iphone 4 and a bumper at an Apple store. The charger purchased does not work with the bumper installed…a HUGE pain!!!
Rebeka, did you purchase an Apple iphone bumper and Apple cable and charger? If so, return them. Simple.
The iphone cable that comes with the iPhone4 works fine with the Apple bumper and I’ve now bought 6 spare iPhone cables from Apple that work fine. I’m not sure what happened in your case, this issue has been solved with currently shipping Apple products.