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How many Lightning connectors did you break?

How many lightning connectors did you break?

  • 0

    Votes: 68 80.0%

  • 1-2

    Votes: 12 14.1%

  • 3-4

    Votes: 2 2.4%

  • 5

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • More than 5

    Votes: 3 3.5%
  • Total voters
    85
FeliApple

FeliApple

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Apr 8, 2015
3,794
2,171
I found Lightning connectors to be extremely fragile to every type of misuse, and if you do not have extreme care they break quite easily. I broke two in a bit less than three years and a half, and as I have three devices, I had to buy one more because one does not suffice. If I count all family members, we've broken like 10, so they aren't exactly reliable.
 
I've broken one within a year, because I kept pulling it out by the body of the cable.
I've been using another one for a year and no signs of degradation.
 
Had virtually every lightning equipped product since they were first released, and we have connectors all over the house, and in every one of our cars. Haven't broken one yet, not even my wife who is usually difficult on them. Even the kids haven't done any damage.
 
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I've broken no Lightning connectors or for that matter any of the previous 30 pin connectors since getting my first iPod in 2004.

I don't misuse them though and always grip the connector when unplugging the cable.
 
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PKBeam said:
I've broken one within a year, because I kept pulling it out by the body of the cable.
Click to expand...

I've broken 1 last year and another the year before. A few hang over fuelled mornings pulled them the same way, and over time they just ripped at the connector.

I find the Amazon basic cables are a lot more durable and cheaper!
 
Maybe the secret is to be quite careful. I started being overly careful now, let's see what the results are...
 
I've broken two, and got Apple to replace it both times. All you need is an iDevice currently in warranty, and time to spend waiting for a Genius Bar appointment.
 
I currently have 7 Lightning Connectors and have never had one break. The only one that has come close to breaking is the one that came with my iPhone 5 in September of 2012. I have run that through the heating vent in my car and the temperature has cause the outer sheathing to strip off. But it still functions just fine.
 
FeliApple said:
I found Lightning connectors to be extremely fragile to every type of misuse, and if you do not have extreme care they break quite easily. I broke two in a bit less than three years and a half, and as I have three devices, I had to buy one more because one does not suffice. If I count all family members, we've broken like 10, so they aren't exactly reliable.
Click to expand...

Not really sure what you mean. Are we talking about the connector on the device or the cable?
 
Never broken any. I've had one of the old 30 pin ones start to come apart, but that's it since I got my first iPod in 2005.
 
I noticed that if you buy those non-mfi certified cheap Chinese lightning cables, they have 1/2 mm larger plugs which damage our phone's ports.

I also use my iDevices with care.

Cables used
1. AirPlus
2. Powerocks
 
OllyW said:
I've broken no Lightning connectors or for that matter any of the previous 30 pin connectors since getting my first iPod in 2004.

I don't misuse them though and always grip the connector when unplugging the cable.
Click to expand...
Likewise, I've never broken any of the Lightning or 30-pin cables...
 
Night Spring said:
I've broken two, and got Apple to replace it both times. All you need is an iDevice currently in warranty, and time to spend waiting for a Genius Bar appointment.
Click to expand...
My country does not have any Apple stores unfortunately...
[doublepost=1453736719][/doublepost]
Sirious said:
Not really sure what you mean. Are we talking about the connector on the device or the cable?
Click to expand...
The cable
 
Never broken any of my cables, ever. Just a little care goes a long way and these connector are not designed to be removed by the cable, you need to pull on the connector. Sounds like your whole family is doing the same so maybe a little meeting to explain how to unplug things . . . .
 
Newtons Apple said:
Never broken any of my cables, ever. Just a little care goes a long way and these connector are not designed to be removed by the cable, you need to pull on the connector. Sounds like your whole family is doing the same so maybe a little meeting to explain how to unplug things . . . .
Click to expand...
Yeah I think I should maybe organize a meeting :p
 
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FeliApple said:
I found Lightning connectors to be extremely fragile to every type of misuse, and if you do not have extreme care they break quite easily. I broke two in a bit less than three years and a half, and as I have three devices, I had to buy one more because one does not suffice. If I count all family members, we've broken like 10, so they aren't exactly reliable.
Click to expand...

Seriously? You think the lightning port/connectors/cables are fragile?

I strongly disagree. I've had every iPhone and almost every iPad since its introduction. I have a bunch of grandkids who use iPads every time they visit - some as young as 2 years old. They unplug them (correctly, by pulling on the connector and NOT the cord), they plug them in when the devices need recharging or before they leave our house. Collectively, we have never broken a connector or damaged a cord. We've had about 5 screens broken over the years, but never damaged a connector.

From a "how many" perspective, I am including my immediate family of 30 people (myself, my wife, 6 grown kids and their spouses, 16 grandkids ranging in ages 14 months to 14 years old) and over 30 devices with lightning connectors.
 
Last edited:
I kinda wish "all of them" was an option in the poll! Maybe we've been unlucky, but we have broken more that I care to admit to. I don't know that my family is particularly rough with them, but we seem go through them a lot.
 
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