How to charge the iPhone 4S when planning a trip to South Korea

Instructions showing how to power your iPhone 4S with a South Korean power outlet with an Apple USB 30-pin cable and a two pin Type C USB charger and how to charge the iPhone 4S using a two pinned Type F USB plug.

South Korean power outlet

Varying complicated combinations of standards and plugs can often cause confusion when planning to stay in a different country, especially if you've never visited before. With only a handful of different types of common standards used throughout the world this article shows exactly what to pick up in advance to power the iPhone 4S . When you're visiting South Korea these instructions show how to power the iPhone 4S using their standard types F or C 220 volt 60Hz power outlets, a majority of South Koreans normally use the Type F plugs in their power outlets. If travelling to South Korea from a different country make sure that the iPhone 4S can be charged using a 240v supply. If your iPhone 4S originated in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) double check your iPhone 4S is dual voltage (marked with 100-240 volts) else you may need to use an additional transformer to avoid the device from being damaged whilst powering it. These instructions assume that you have installed Apple iOS 7 or greater on the iPhone 4S.

Charging the iPhone 4S in South Korea

Can you use the iPhone 4S in South Korea?

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

What is the best travel adapter for the iPhone 4S 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 4S 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 4S, 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 4S in South Korea?

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

Instructions showing how to power your iPhone 4S with a South Korean power outlet with an Apple USB 30-pin cable and a two pin Type C USB charger.

  1. If you want to charge the iPhone 4S using a South Korean power outlet you will 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).
  2. Start by taking the Type C USB power plug adapter and inserting it into the power outlet. The plug supply, also called the Europlug, can be identified by two holes next to each other. Type C electrical outlets in South Korea aren't as commonplace as Type F sockets.
  3. Then connect one end of the cable into the mains USB charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 4S. The iPhone 4S dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 4S.
  4. Turn on the South Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon that appears in the top right hand corner of your phone will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone is powering up, typically taking roughly 1-4 hours to completely recharge. [AD]
How to use a Type C power charger for recharging your iPhone 4S from a South Korean power outlet

How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPhone 4S from a South Korean power outlet

A step by step guide showing how to recharge your iPhone 4S from a South Korean power outlet by using a 30 pin Apple cable with a two pin Type F USB adapter.

  1. To power the iPhone 4S 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 purchase your iPhone 4S).
  2. Plug in the Type F USB power plug adapter in the power supply. This sunken circular plug supply (sometimes known as a Schuko outlet) can be identified by two large holes 19 mm apart from each other along with thin metal grounding clips at the top and bottom. The most common outlets found in South Korea are Type F power outlets.
  3. Plug in one end of the Apple cable into the USB power charger and the other end into the dock connector on the iPhone 4S. The iPhone 4S dock connector can be found at bottom of the iPhone 4S.
  4. Turn on the South Korean power outlet.
  5. The battery icon which appears in the top right hand corner of the phone screen will display a charging icon to indicate that the iPhone 4S is charging, typically taking around 1 - 4 hours to fully recharge. [AD]
How to use a Schuko Type F power charger for charging your iPhone 4S from a South Korean power outlet

See also

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