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charger cable

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Here is my question.

I bought my iPhone less than a year and I've been charging my phone with this cable from the day 1.

Like many people, I charge my phone at night. I connect my phone to a power outlet using the USB cable.

Power outlet is located slightly lower than my desk. (I don't want to put my phone on the floow, so I put it on the desk).

I do NOT abuse my iphone. Who would abuse such a delicate and expensive phone anyway?

Then after few months, I realized that the connecting part (where it's ripped) was getting worn and torn. Maybe that "connecting portion" is very thin or delicate. But it shouldn't have happened. Then...

few days ago, it finally got ripped and vola. I can see the inside!!!!

I tried to explain this when I went to Apple store, but they brushed me off (it was RUDE) and told me that I abused the line and it's all my fault 100%.

WTH!!

Did it happen to any of you guys??

It hasn't been a year and this should have never happened. I want some explanation.

iPhone 4

Posted on Oct 30, 2011 1:37 PM

Reply
9 replies

Oct 31, 2011 7:05 PM in response to tonefox

But I didn't pull on the cord 😟

The connecting part is maybe very thin?

Maybe I wiggle when I disconnect the charger from the phone with holding the gripping sides.

My iPod charger has different connecting part (usb portion & cable) than iPhone one. It seems iPod touch charger cable is stronger than this.

Could I get a new one under warranty???

Oct 31, 2011 9:23 PM in response to gmmsi000

Wish i could back you up on this but my sync cable has been fine for over 3+ years now. Try going to another apple store if that's possible. I've found that actually making an appointment (do it thru the apple store app) for an issue helps... rather than just stopping by and asking for free replacements. Make up a good story and be friendly 🙂

Oct 31, 2011 9:36 PM in response to gmmsi000

Yes this is a very common problem (Google for "iphone cable breaking apart" to see what I mean) and Apple covers it by replacing the cable for free. If you run into a bad Genius who won't replace it, try a different one. I have had at least three replaced in the last couple of years, maybe four. I baby my cables and *never* pull on the cords, only pull from the housing, and protect them from bending and twisting, and some of them last forever, but others crack open at the connector just like this. I have a lot of friends with iPhones and iPads and they often experience this. One friend speculated it is due to Apple's insisting on a more asthetic design for the cable connector, instead of opting for a longer sheathing that would be more protective, and because of this, Apple knows it caused the problem and willingly replaces cables no questions asked. Your experience of being refused at the store is very unusual from what I have heard.

Feb 24, 2012 11:50 AM in response to carlosity

This has happened to me with many apple cables, some times i pull from the cord and sometimes from the base, but who cares, the cable should be able to survive me pulling it from whereever i pull it. I pull my headphones off from many places and it doesn't rip like this. Apple use to make much sturdier cables, i don't know what happened. I feel like 2-3 years ago or so, they dropped in quality tremendously. Its hard to put my finger on when exactly it happened as I don't buy new cables all the time.This is definitely not a one person thing, I see many people using cables that look like they've run over them with their car.

Feb 24, 2012 12:25 PM in response to tenFan

Four months since the post to which you respond. But as you ask....


some times i pull from the cord and sometimes from the base, but who cares, the cable should be able to survive me pulling it from whereever i pull it.

No, it shouldn't. Do you yank out the plugs of you domestic appliances by tugging on the cord? The plugs in the back of your home stereo system? The cables of your car's spark plugs? Do you remove shoes by pulling at the laces?


I have been using Apple kit since 1984, and have never had a cable problem. Neither have I ever seen a cable as a removal tool for a plug.

Feb 24, 2012 1:15 PM in response to tonefox

If every cable i had at home was as flimsy as the apple cable, they would all be broken. These other cables are not broken however, but the apple one is. Its a cable, its going to get pulled from time to time. It still works, and im not going to get a new one till it completely stops functioning, but its flimsy. There is no way you can tell me there has been no change in cable quality these past couple of years. I don't know if its on purpose so that people buy more cables, or if they just switched manufacturers or materials or something without realizing the change in quality, but something definitely happened.

Apr 27, 2013 3:36 AM in response to gmmsi000

gmmsi000 wrote:


But I didn't pull on the cord 😟

The connecting part is maybe very thin?

Maybe I wiggle when I disconnect the charger from the phone with holding the gripping sides.

My iPod charger has different connecting part (usb portion & cable) than iPhone one. It seems iPod touch charger cable is stronger than this.

Could I get a new one under warranty???


As is also explained in the other thread I've linked to (and numerous other posts / articles; see for example http://www.iphonelife.com/blog/87/third-party-pre-ipad4-charger-cable-tests-last -some-good-cables ), Apple's cables are indeed of questionable quality.


Apple is definitely aware of the problem and, with some luck, you can have your cable exchanged for a new one in an Apple Store for freee.

charger cable

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