Charging the iPhone 4 when visiting North Korea

A guide showing you how to power the iPhone 4 from a North Korean power outlet with a 30-pin connector with a two pinned Type F power adapter, recharging the iPhone 4 using a Type A USB plug and how to power the iPhone 4 using a 2 pin Type C power charger

North Korean power outlet

Complicated combinations of frequencies and standards can all be daunting when planning on staying in another country for the first time traveller. This page was written to help prepare visitors wanting to power their iPhone 4 abroad.These step by step instructions shows what you'll need to power your iPhone 4 when staying in North Korea using the Type F, A or C North Korean 220 volt 60Hz power outlets. You'll discover power sockets change depending on which country you are visiting therefore please read the travel power supplies page for a complete list of regions and countries. When travelling to North Korea from a different country please check that your iPhone 4 can accept a 240v supply. If it originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110v) ensure that your iPhone 4 is dual-voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) otherwise you may need to use an additional converter to prevent the device from overheating during charging. If you're planning to visit a destination such as Pyongyang we recommend referring to the Wikipedia.org web page about North Korea [1] for further details. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 4.

Charging the iPhone 4 in North Korea

Can you use the iPhone 4 in North Korea?

Yes, you can connect the iPhone 4 to a North Korean power outlet.

What is the best power adapter for the iPhone 4 in North Korea?

When travelling with more than just your iPhone 4 and visiting multiple countries the best international travel adapter for North Korea to buy is a multiple USB adapter which includes swappable plugs such as a 4 port USB travel charger. North Koreans use three different types of wall outlets (F, A and C) and bringing this ensures that you are covered for both types A and C.

Because these types of chargers are supplied with interchangeable plugs and handle 100 volts - 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa simply by changing the included plugs over. If your type of iPhone 4 is compatible with Fast Charge (please note not all USB devices can) then you'll benefit from quicker recharging times with one of these types of travel chargers, plus additional support for certain power hungry devices.

Unlike other adapters having a four port adapter will allow you to power more than one device at once without needing to bring seperate travel chargers for your North Korean 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 luggage. Because of their flexibility these types of travel adapters can be used at home not just abroad so when you’re not on holiday they can be used under your bedside table charging multiple phones and tablets with just a single wall outlet.

We recommend buying this type of versatile power adapter online; the travel charger illustrated here is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries.

Alternative travel adapter for North 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 adapters offer surge protection which is useful for visitors of regions with unreliable or unstable power grids to prevent damage to any connected appliances. These travel adapters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover both North Korea and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK travel converter has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling compact option for travellers originating from North America visiting North Korea.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Similarly having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico is also aimed at travellers from North America using type B plugs and is a cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with just one less AC outlet at almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a more flexible 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 perfect for most travellers from around the world visiting North Korea. [10] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for the iPhone 4 in North Korea?

Powering the iPhone 4 with a North Korean power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

Instructions on how to power the iPhone 4 from a North Korean power outlet with the Apple USB 30 pin connector with a Type A USB charger.

  1. To charge the iPhone 4 from a North Korean power outlet you'll need to buy a Type A USB power plug adapter [4] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] - typically supplied with your iPhone 4.
  2. Start by taking the Type A USB power plug adapter and plugging it into the wall supply. You can identify the power supply by the two adjacent slots next to each other for live and neutral.
  3. Connect one end of the USB to Apple 30 pin cable into the USB power adapter and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 4. The iPhone 4 dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone 4.
  4. Turn on the North Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right corner of the phone will display a charge icon to indicate that the iPhone 4 is powering up taking roughly 60 to 240 minutes to fully recharge to full capacity. [AD]
Powering the iPhone 4 with a North Korean power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type A USB adapter

How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 4 from a North Korean power outlet

A page showing how to charge your iPhone 4 with a North Korean power outlet with a 30-pin Apple cable and a Type C USB charger.

  1. In order to power your iPhone 4 from a North Korean power outlet you'll need a Type C USB power plug adapter [7] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (this USB cable is normally already included with the iPhone 4).
  2. Begin the process by plugging the Type C USB power plug adapter into the North Korean power outlet. This unearthed plug supply (sometimes called the Type C power outlet [6]) is identified by the two round adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral.
  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 4. The iPhone 4 dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone 4.
  4. Turn on the North Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPhone screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone is powering up and takes around 1-4 hours to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 4 from a North Korean power outlet

How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPhone 4 from a North Korean power outlet

Using a 30-pin Apple cable and a Type F USB charger to charge your iPhone 4 with a North Korean power outlet.

  1. In order to supply power to the iPhone 4 using the North Korean power outlet you will need to buy a Type F USB power plug adapter [9] and a USB to Apple 30 pin cable [5] (Apple typically include the cable with the iPhone 4).
  2. Insert the Type F USB power plug adapter into the North Korean power outlet. You can identify the wall outlet by two 4.8mm adjacent holes next to each other for live and neutral, plus two metal grounding clips above and below.
  3. Connect one end of the power cable into the bottom of the USB charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 4. The iPhone 4 dock connector is found at bottom of the iPhone 4.
  4. Turn on the North Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that you'll find in the top right hand corner of your iPhone 4 screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the phone is charging which should take roughly 1 - 4 hours to recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type F power charger for recharging your iPhone 4 from a North Korean power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Wikipedia.org web page about North Korea
  2. Apple - official iPhone user guide
  3. iec.ch - Type A power outlet
  4. Type A USB power plug adapter - With its two-blade, ungrounded design, the Type A USB power plug adapter offers a straightforward way to convert electrical outlets in countries like the United States and Canada into USB ports for easy device charging..
  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 C power outlet
  7. 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..
  8. iec.ch - Type F power outlet
  9. 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..
  10. 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..