iPhone 5 third party USB cable. Any good?

celo48 · Dec 9, 2012, 04:44 AM

I have been looking to buy one but some say they are too tight, somewhat tight or not reversible although it is supposed to, some say reversible. Yes, I can spend the $20 and get the original one but I can get 4 of them if bought 3rd party cables. Yes, I spent a lot of money on the iPhone but am willing to take the risk. Could someone share their opinions on the cable they bought and which store/Ebay seller/online site? Thanks!

adm.hpe · Dec 9, 2012, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celo48

I have been looking to buy one but some say they are too tight, somewhat tight or not reversible although it is supposed to, some say reversible. Yes, I can spend the $20 and get the original one but I can get 4 of them if bought 3rd party cables. Yes, I spent a lot of money on the iPhone but am willing to take the risk. Could someone share their opinions on the cable they bought and which store/Ebay seller/online site? Thanks!

Be very careful with iPhone5 third party cables. Apple have chipped the 5 cable and most (from Amazon or eBay) simply work intermittently or don't work at all.

VeridisQuo · 06:41 AM

I ordered 1 off amazon, and 2 off ebay, all around $5 shipped a piece and all seem to work perfectly fine in both positions. One of the ebay ones was a little tight. Personally, I wouldn't use any third party cables for charging overnight or anytime you won't be able to keep an eye on it, but thats just me. I use my original cable for charging while I'm asleep, and the other 3 for syncing, car and work where I'll be there with the phone while connected. I say go for it, if anything, buy 1 and test it out, if it works well, buy a few more from the same vendor.

Amazon one I ordered, ships out of china though, so kind of a long wait

eBay one I ordered, seem to be sold out though

celo48 · Dec 9, 2012, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VeridisQuo

I ordered 1 off amazon, and 2 off ebay, all around $5 shipped a piece and all seem to work perfectly fine in both positions. One of the ebay ones was a little tight. Personally, I wouldn't use any third party cables for charging overnight or anytime you won't be able to keep an eye on it, but thats just me. I use my original cable for charging while I'm asleep, and the other 3 for syncing, car and work where I'll be there with the phone while connected. I say go for it, if anything, buy 1 and test it out, if it works well, buy a few more from the same vendor.

Amazon one I ordered, ships out of china though, so kind of a long wait

eBay one I ordered, seem to be sold out though

Thanks! Which vendor/store did you buy it from on Amazon?

bandityo · Dec 9, 2012, 09:25 AM

Ive gotten 5 aftermarket...two from boxwave, three from generic all works both ways for power and data..The only gripe is they dont have the same exact fit as OEM but work fine...dont listen to the hype....

adm.hpe · Dec 9, 2012, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bandityo

Ive gotten 5 aftermarket...two from boxwave, three from generic all works both ways for power and data..The only gripe is they dont have the same exact fit as OEM but work fine...dont listen to the hype....

Do they charge as quick?

wratran · Dec 9, 2012, 10:01 AM

i bought 4 of them from ebay for $7 each.
work perfectly....dont listen to the bozo that never bought one...
Those iphone boy like anything that is APPLE and pay the apple tax

celo48 · Dec 9, 2012, 10:07 AM

Thanks guys! Hopefully, more people put where they bought it so, people who are interested to buy one like me also knows. I bought four USB cables for my iPhone 4 and they all worked fine except one that went bad but I paid a dollar so who cares

The new 8-pin cables are little more complicated, that's why I wanted to ask.

fljoemon · Dec 9, 2012, 02:58 PM

I purchased for $4.94 + free shipping from an USA seller.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-Pin-Lightn...-/261118395956

celo48 · Dec 9, 2012, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fljoemon

I purchased for $4.94 + free shipping from an USA seller.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-Pin-Lightn...-/261118395956

I took the plunge with your seller! All the feedback they received regarding the cable are good. I like the way they explain what they are selling in details and their feedback is pretty good. Thanks!

VeridisQuo · Dec 9, 2012, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celo48

Thanks! Which vendor/store did you buy it from on Amazon?

The seller was Goingpower on amazon

kalexn · Dec 13, 2012, 10:15 AM

So Tanga has a color cable out today: https://www.tanga.com/deals/c628136f...ing-sync-cable

I am still nervous about ordering a third party cable because of all that was said before. What do y'all think?

thehilife · Feb 7, 2013, 02:26 PM

Bought a set of a car charger, charging cube, and three cables for $20 shipped off eBay from a US seller named "drgaddis". I would NOT recommend purchasing from him. Two of the three cables I have work sometimes and sometimes they don't. They are also not reversible like the real Apple chargers and don't charge as quickly as the real chargers. I'm in the process of getting replacement cables from him, that probably won't even work.

They worked fine the first few times, but now sometimes when I plug them in they stop charging after a while. Once, I plugged in the USB cable to my computer and my computer just shut off immediately. Other times, nothing happens at all when I attempt to charge (literally, nothing--no charge, no alert errors). Other times, it will say "Charging is not supported by this accessory." Once, I got the messages on my computer that said a USB adapter was drawing too much power from my computer and to disconnect the cable. As I write this, I am at work. I was able to charge my phone from 56% to 70%, but suddenly it just stopped charging. -_-

SKETCHY. I now no longer connect the generic cables to my Macbook Pro. Honestly, with all the hassle, I wish I had just spent that $20 on another real Apple cable. I float around between 3 residences (dorm, parent's house, boyfriend's house) and also like to have additional cables for my car, work, etc. It was nice to find such an amazing deal on eBay, but remember: YOU PAY FOR WHAT YOU GET.

celo48 · Feb 8, 2013, 03:43 AM

I bought http://www.ebay.com/itm/261118395956...956%26_rdc%3D1 and very happy with it.

It fits like the original. I can insert either way. Charges with no problems. Few cosmetic differences vs. the original, that's all. I paid $4.94 but it went up to $11.39 and I don't know if the seller still has them in stock or not. I wish I purchased more from him but did not want to risk by buying more than one.

zorinlynx · Feb 8, 2013, 12:52 PM

Careful, there have been reports of third party lightning plugs breaking off inside the socket. This is obviously very bad, and it is unlikely that you will be able to remove it.

The repair probably won't be covered under warranty either.

Just stick with Apple or licensed cables. The risk is not worth the tiny amount of money you save.

comptr · Feb 10, 2013, 04:15 PM

well monoprice does make cables now that are apple certified: http://www.monoprice.com/products/se...ighting+cables

wxman2003 · Feb 10, 2013, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comptr

well monoprice does make cables now that are apple certified: http://www.monoprice.com/products/se...ighting+cables

Thanks. I will wait for their 6 foot cable which is only $0.75 more.

Sparky9292 · 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wxman2003

Thanks. I will wait for their 6 foot cable which is only $0.75 more.

The 6' is sold out till March 21... you'll have to wait 5 weeks! The 3' one's are still for sale.

That said, I've just ordered 2 of the 3" ones.... thanks! saved me 50% instead of buying the "official" apple ones!.

Dec 9, 2012, 04:44 AM	#1
celo48 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2010	iPhone 5 third party USB cable. Any good? I have been looking to buy one but some say they are too tight, somewhat tight or not reversible although it is supposed to, some say reversible. Yes, I can spend the $20 and get the original one but I can get 4 of them if bought 3rd party cables. Yes, I spent a lot of money on the iPhone but am willing to take the risk. Could someone share their opinions on the cable they bought and which store/Ebay seller/online site? Thanks!
	0

Dec 9, 2012, 06:36 AM	#3
VeridisQuo macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2012	I ordered 1 off amazon, and 2 off ebay, all around $5 shipped a piece and all seem to work perfectly fine in both positions. One of the ebay ones was a little tight. Personally, I wouldn't use any third party cables for charging overnight or anytime you won't be able to keep an eye on it, but thats just me. I use my original cable for charging while I'm asleep, and the other 3 for syncing, car and work where I'll be there with the phone while connected. I say go for it, if anything, buy 1 and test it out, if it works well, buy a few more from the same vendor. Amazon one I ordered, ships out of china though, so kind of a long wait eBay one I ordered, seem to be sold out though Last edited by VeridisQuo; Dec 9, 2012 at 06:41 AM.
	0

Dec 9, 2012, 02:58 PM	#9
fljoemon macrumors newbie Join Date: May 2011	I bought it here! I purchased for $4.94 + free shipping from an USA seller. http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-Pin-Lightn...-/261118395956
	0

Feb 8, 2013, 12:52 PM	#15
zorinlynx macrumors 65816 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Florida, USA	Careful, there have been reports of third party lightning plugs breaking off inside the socket. This is obviously very bad, and it is unlikely that you will be able to remove it. The repair probably won't be covered under warranty either. Just stick with Apple or licensed cables. The risk is not worth the tiny amount of money you save. __________________ Old-school Apple ][ expert! Ask me if you have a ][ question! Apple user 1983-1992, 2003-Present -- Linux user 1995-Present Windows-free since 2003! Though I still have to deal with it at work.
	0

Feb 10, 2013, 04:15 PM	#16
comptr macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2007	well monoprice does make cables now that are apple certified: http://www.monoprice.com/products/se...ighting+cables __________________ 2.33 Macbook pro, 2GB Ram, 160GB HD, ATI X1600 256 meg ram – Replaced 2.4 Macbook pro, 2GB Ram upgraded to 4GB, 200GB, Nvidia 8600GT 256Meg – Replaced 2.8 Macbook pro, 8GB Ram, 256GB SSD
	1

Dec 9, 2012, 09:25 AM	#5
bandityo macrumors member Join Date: Nov 2012	Ive gotten 5 aftermarket...two from boxwave, three from generic all works both ways for power and data..The only gripe is they dont have the same exact fit as OEM but work fine...dont listen to the hype....
	0

Dec 9, 2012, 10:01 AM	#7
wratran macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2010	i bought 4 of them from ebay for $7 each. work perfectly....dont listen to the bozo that never bought one... Those iphone boy like anything that is APPLE and pay the apple tax
	0

Dec 9, 2012, 10:07 AM	#8
celo48 Thread Starter macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2010	Thanks guys! Hopefully, more people put where they bought it so, people who are interested to buy one like me also knows. I bought four USB cables for my iPhone 4 and they all worked fine except one that went bad but I paid a dollar so who cares The new 8-pin cables are little more complicated, that's why I wanted to ask.
	0

Dec 13, 2012, 10:15 AM	#12
kalexn macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Tennessee	So Tanga has a color cable out today: https://www.tanga.com/deals/c628136f...ing-sync-cable I am still nervous about ordering a third party cable because of all that was said before. What do y'all think?
	0

Feb 7, 2013, 02:26 PM	#13
thehilife macrumors newbie Join Date: Feb 2013	Bought a set of a car charger, charging cube, and three cables for $20 shipped off eBay from a US seller named "drgaddis". I would NOT recommend purchasing from him. Two of the three cables I have work sometimes and sometimes they don't. They are also not reversible like the real Apple chargers and don't charge as quickly as the real chargers. I'm in the process of getting replacement cables from him, that probably won't even work. They worked fine the first few times, but now sometimes when I plug them in they stop charging after a while. Once, I plugged in the USB cable to my computer and my computer just shut off immediately. Other times, nothing happens at all when I attempt to charge (literally, nothing--no charge, no alert errors). Other times, it will say "Charging is not supported by this accessory." Once, I got the messages on my computer that said a USB adapter was drawing too much power from my computer and to disconnect the cable. As I write this, I am at work. I was able to charge my phone from 56% to 70%, but suddenly it just stopped charging. -_- SKETCHY. I now no longer connect the generic cables to my Macbook Pro. Honestly, with all the hassle, I wish I had just spent that $20 on another real Apple cable. I float around between 3 residences (dorm, parent's house, boyfriend's house) and also like to have additional cables for my car, work, etc. It was nice to find such an amazing deal on eBay, but remember: YOU PAY FOR WHAT YOU GET.
	0

Feb 8, 2013, 03:43 AM	#14
celo48 Thread Starter macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2010	I bought http://www.ebay.com/itm/261118395956...956%26_rdc%3D1 and very happy with it. It fits like the original. I can insert either way. Charges with no problems. Few cosmetic differences vs. the original, that's all. I paid $4.94 but it went up to $11.39 and I don't know if the seller still has them in stock or not. I wish I purchased more from him but did not want to risk by buying more than one.
	0


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