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Lightning Cables=Trash

V

vra24

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 24, 2010
34
2
Is it just me or are these things complete garbage. I have 3 and all 3 have turned to crap. Either some part in the connection goes bad or the wire breaks loose of the plug. I have 30 pins that are ancient. Also before anyone asked mine are apple made cables.
 
Lighting cables make a lot of money for Apple. That's their first priority. All iOS cables are rather flimsy. Treated gently they'll last.
 
it depends on how you use it, the one i have in my bed that i will roll around on gets pretty beat up, but the one sitting on my desk and doesn't get tugged around is in perfect condition.
 
My oldest lightning cable belongs to my launch day iPad mini, and it works fine. I've had plenty of Apple dock cables and USB cables fail on me, they're not exactly built well.
 
I got an iPod touch within the first week of it being in stores, and the cable is still in mint condition. My sister has an iPad mini and an iPod touch and both cables are again in perfect condition. All cords have been tossed around, jammed into log honing ports and USB and they are still good.
 
Is there a better aftermarket alternative? I am definitely frustrated by the discoloration and damaged rubber that I've seen on mine.
 
I've had my original lightning cable for 8 months and it's held up well. I'd say I'm about average when it comes to how well I treat my cables.

The Belkin cable that came with my car charger is much beefier (tougher plastic and plug housing) than the Apple cable.
 
Are Apple lightning cables made by several different contract manufacturers? That could explain some of the possible difference in quality.
 
I used one to walk my dog and it broke. The rest have held up fine but I can't believe that it can't double as a leash.
 
My two young kids aren't too gentle with their Lightning cables for their iPads and they haven't broke so I really don't know what you're doing with yours. All five Lightning cables in my household are still holding up.
 
vra24 said:
Is it just me or are these things complete garbage. I have 3 and all 3 have turned to crap. Either some part in the connection goes bad or the wire breaks loose of the plug. I have 30 pins that are ancient. Also before anyone asked mine are apple made cables.
Click to expand...

You could always try third party MFi-certified cables, like AmazonBasics lightning cables. They're a bit sturdier with thicker insulation, particularly at the connectors, and they come in different lengths. They're a little bit less expensive, too, despite being Apple certified.

I have three of the AmazonBasics cables, and three Apple lighting cables, had 'em for months now. All work fine, though if I ever need more, I'll probably go with Amazon as it makes more sense to buy the less expensive ones.
 
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I use 2 cables and 1 adapter regularly. Never had any of them replaced. 1 Lightning Cable came with iPhone 5 (pur 10/2012), the adapter was bought a day or 2 after I bought my iPhone 5, and the second cable was bought a few months ago so I didn't have to unwrap on of the ones that came with my other devices.

What I do have problems with are the EarPods. Great sounding earphones, but the right channel always goes out on me every now and then. Some have lasted me months, others only a week or two. I don't abuse them either.
 
Lightning Cables=Trash

Lightning cables charge your iPhone which has a battery that will die. You need a cable to charge it. Take care of the cable and it will last for a very long time. Do not rest the phone on the plug at an angle or it will break over time. I have never broke a cable before.

I recommend this one that has a lifetime warranty:
Tech Armor Apple Certified Lighting Cable - 6 Feet- White - Lightni... http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DZ0J74W/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_.m26sb0YGC7HF
 
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After only having one for two months mine gave out. Luckily it's still covered by apple and a new one is on the way. I've taken very good care of this cable. Never traveled with it. Always in the same spot, nice and flat and safe. I've had similar although not quite as bad issues with the old ones as well. I ended up buying a $1 one once at a gas station.. I bought it because I noticed that the casing around the cables inside was made of much harder plastic. Almost like that of a PS3 charger cable. That $1 cable has been the best, longest lasting cable I've ever used for any of my apple devices. If the casing around the cables would just be a bit thicker and harder I'm sure Apples cables would last longer.
 
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