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My iPhone is 1 year and 1 month old, and my 2 cables are ok. I also have "normal" cables from my old iPhone 3GS and iPad 2 and they still work. No problems with any cable, lightning or not.
 
Just bit the bullet and ordered two new ones to replace the one that died. No real damage or wear, just won't make a connection anymore.
 
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.

I second this; I have lots of Amazon Basics cables and they have all been of good quality, especially for the price.
 
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I second this; I have lots of Amazon Basics cables and they have all been of good quality, especially for the price.


I have one of those and it works well but I would rather spend 2$ more on a 6ft tech armor lightning cable that has a lifetime warranty and a thicker higher quality cable IMO. I have 2 of the tech armor cables.
 
I don't doubt that they are prone to breaking, but I'm not sure how it happens so much. I've had a few from fall 2012 that are still good as new. Guess I'm lucky.
 
My iPad 4 lightning cable loses its rubber hull everywhere after 1,5 years. The materials must be of poor quality. I never managed to destroy any of my cables, including frequently used head phone cables.
 
I have several original and third party vendor lightning cables. None of them have failed so far.
 
The only Apple cables I've had issues with durability are the EarPod, and before that the earbud, cables. Been very lucky with lightning and 30-pin cables but I always have a stationary one dedicated for use at home and a stationary one in the car, so they don't get much wear. On the other hand, the EarPods are constantly plugged in and out of my devices and are also wrapped up into my pockets throughout any given day probably a dozen times. Like anything, it will depend on your use case.
 
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