How to charge the iPhone 3GS when planning a trip to South Korea

Using a USB 30 pin connector and a two pinned Type C power charger to recharge the iPhone 3GS with a South Korean power outlet and how to recharge the iPhone 3GS using a two pinned Type F power plug.

South Korean power outlet

Complicated combinations of frequencies and region codes can often lead to confusion when planning on staying in a foreign country especially if you've never been there before. This page has step by step instructions telling you what you'll need to charge the iPhone 3GS when visiting South Korea using their standard types F or C South Korean 220 volt 60Hz power outlets, most South Koreans use the Type F power outlets. If travelling to South Korea from another region double check the iPhone 3GS can be charged using a 240 volt supply. If it came from a country which uses a lower voltage such as 110 volts make sure your device is dual voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional transformer to stop the device from being damaged during charging. These instructions assume that you are running Apple iOS 6 or greater on the iPhone 3GS.

Charging the iPhone 3GS in South Korea

Can you use the iPhone 3GS in South Korea?

Yes, you can connect the iPhone 3GS to a South Korean power outlet.

What is the best travel adapter for the iPhone 3GS in South Korea?

If travelling to more than one country then the best international travel charger for South Korea is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two standards of power outlets that South Koreans use (types F and C) and using a travel charger like this will ensure that you are covered for type C.

Because these chargers come with interchangeable plugs and can handle 100 to 240 volts will mean that you can travel to multiple countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa just by changing the plugs over. If your model of iPhone 3GS is compatible with Fast Charge then you'll benefit from faster recharging times by using one of these travel adapters, plus compatibility with more power demanding devices. Having a 4 port adapter will allow you to recharge multiple devices at once without needing to buy multiple travel chargers for your trip or using up additional wall sockets. By only packing a single international USB travel charger will help keep the weight and size down, making it ideal to store in hand baggage whilst travelling. Because of their space saving versatility these types of adapters can be used back at home as well as abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can sit under your bedside table charging multiple tablets, smartphones and speakers and using only a single wall outlet.

We suggest searching for a multipurpose travel adapter like this online. The power adapter illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been successfully tested for powering multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries with perfect reliably.

Alternative travel adapter for South Korea

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country who only have USB devices such as the iPhone 3GS, however for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power converters offer surge protection which is crucial for visitors of counties with unreliable power grids to prevent damage to any connected devices from voltage spikes. These power converters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both South Korea and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling portable option for travellers originating from America visiting South Korea.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Also having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers originating from the US using type B plugs and offers almost the same functionality as the BESTEK with just one less AC outlet for 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 a wide range of travellers from around the world visiting South Korea. [8] [AD]
What is the best travel adapter for the iPhone 3GS in South Korea?

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 3GS from a South Korean power outlet

Using a USB 30-pin connector and a two pinned Type C power charger to recharge the iPhone 3GS with a South Korean power outlet.

  1. If you want to charge your iPhone 3GS using a South Korean power outlet you'll need to use a Type C USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (typically already supplied with your device by Apple).
  2. Begin by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and inserting it in the power outlet. The power supply (called the Europlug) can be identified by the two holes next to each other. Type C plug outlets in South Korea aren't as common as Type F sockets.
  3. Then connect one end of the Apple cord into the mains USB charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 3GS dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3GS.
  4. Turn on the South Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right corner of your mobile will display a charging icon to indicate that the mobile is powering up which takes between one to four hours to recharge to full capacity. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 3GS from a South Korean power outlet

How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPhone 3GS from a South Korean power outlet

Instructions showing how to power your iPhone 3GS with a South Korean power outlet by using an Apple USB 30-pin cable with a two pin Type F USB adapter.

  1. To power the iPhone 3GS from a South Korean power outlet you will need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple will usually supply the USB cable when you first purchase your iPhone 3GS).
  2. Insert the Type F USB power plug adapter in the power supply. This sunken circular plug supply can be identified by the two 4.8mm holes 19 mm apart from each other along with thin metal grounding clips on the top and bottom. The most common outlets found in South Korea are Type F power sockets.
  3. Connect one end of the cable into the USB adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 3GS dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 3GS.
  4. Turn on the South Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of your phone screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 3GS is charging, typically taking roughly 1-4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPhone 3GS from a South Korean power outlet

See also

  1. Visitkorea - Korea Tourism Organization site
  2. Apple - official iPhone 3GS 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..