Mobile phone

Connectors in mobile phones serve as a key "bridge" for the coordinated operation of internal components and the expansion of external functions. Despite their compact size, they run through core links such as power transmission, data interaction, and signal connection, directly influencing the performance, functional scalability, and user experience of the phone. The specific functions can be analyzed from the following dimensions:

I. Internal Connections: The "Neural and Vascular Networks" of Each Component of the Mobile phone

The interior of a mobile phone integrates dozens of precise components such as the motherboard, screen, battery, camera, and speaker. Connectors are the core carriers for signal and power transmission among these components.

Connection between the motherboard and the screen:

Screens (especially OLED and AMOLED screens) need to transmit display signals (such as pixel drive signals and touch signals) and power supply. They are connected to the motherboard through flexible flat cable connectors (such as ZIF connectors, with zero insertion force design). Their features include being thin and light, resistant to bending, and suitable for the compact space inside mobile phones.

The connection between the screen and the mainboard of foldable phones relies more on highly reliable connectors, which need to withstand the mechanical stress of tens of thousands of folds while ensuring signal stability (such as using a multi-contact design to reduce the risk of poor contact).

Connection between the motherboard and the camera:

The rear cameras (especially multi-camera and high-pixel modules) need to transmit image data signals and control signals (such as focusing and zooming instructions), and the connectors should support high-speed data transmission (such as the MIPI-CSI interface protocol) to ensure lossless image quality.

The connectors for the front camera and facial recognition module need to balance miniaturization (saving internal space of the body) and anti-interference (avoiding interference from electromagnetic signals of other components on the motherboard).

Other internal component connections:

The battery and the motherboard transfer power through a power connector, which needs to support high currents (such as 5A or even higher in fast charging scenarios), and also have an overcurrent protection design to avoid the risk of short circuits.

Speakers, microphones, vibration motors, etc. are connected to the motherboard through audio/control connectors to transmit audio signals or drive instructions, ensuring normal calls, sound effects and vibration sensations.

Ii. External Interface: The "window" through which mobile phones interact with the outside world

The external connectors of mobile phones (that is, the common interfaces we see) are the core for achieving external functional expansion. The most representative ones are charging/data interfaces (such as USB-C, Lightning), whose functions include:

Power transmission: It is responsible for the charging function of mobile phones and needs to be compatible with chargers of different power levels (from 5W regular charging to 120W super fast charging). The contact design of the connector and the conductive materials (such as gold-plated contacts) need to support high current transmission while reducing heat generation (for example, the pin layout of USB-C optimizes the current path).

Data interaction: To achieve data transmission between mobile phones and computers, as well as external storage devices (such as USB flash drives), it is necessary to support high-speed protocols (such as USB 3.2, USB4), with a transmission rate of over 10Gbps, meeting the rapid transmission requirements of 4K videos and large files.

Function expansion: Expand the phone's functions through external connectors, for example:

• Connect headphones (early 3.5mm headphone jack, now some are connected via USB-C adapter) and an external monitor (USB-C supports DP Alt Mode video output).
• Connect OTG devices (such as mice and keyboards) to expand office scenarios; Connect a game controller to enhance the mobile gaming experience.

Charging compatibility: Modern mobile phone interfaces (such as USB-C) support "reverse charging", which can power small devices such as headphones and smartwatches, and are compatible with chargers of different brands (unifying fast charging standards through the PD protocol).