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flimsy connector

Has anyone's power cord torn at the connector head? It looks and feels a lot like the problems that there was with the old MacBook cords, where they would wear out and tear exposing the wire near the neckline.

Posted on Jul 24, 2012 9:36 AM

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Posted on Jul 24, 2012 9:42 AM

Sure, somone's probably has. However, you are the first person I've heard mention it on these forums. Therefore, I'm guessing it doesn't happen very often. It's also probably mostly due to people bending the cord at an accute angle while charging or yanking it out by the cable. I have a collection of cables dating back to the first iPod Touch. They all still work fine.

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Jul 24, 2012 9:42 AM in response to Dal9000

Sure, somone's probably has. However, you are the first person I've heard mention it on these forums. Therefore, I'm guessing it doesn't happen very often. It's also probably mostly due to people bending the cord at an accute angle while charging or yanking it out by the cable. I have a collection of cables dating back to the first iPod Touch. They all still work fine.

Jul 24, 2012 10:50 AM in response to Dal9000

Dal9000 wrote:


Has anyone's power cord torn at the connector head? It looks and feels a lot like the problems that there was with the old MacBook cords, where they would wear out and tear exposing the wire near the neckline.

It's a very common problem with Apple's iPhone / iPad cables - about 20% of my cables purchased in the last five years exhibit this syndrome (needless to say, I know how to remove / insert these cables). However, as has been mentioned above, these cables can still be used without problems as it's only the outer layer that breaks, not the inner.


Even such cables are far better than Chinese aftermarket cr@p as they reliably charge the iPad at 2.1 Ampers.

Jul 24, 2012 11:00 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

Well, we Europeans may receive different quality cables, then (or is it the different climate? I've always used the cables indoors)... I've purchased all iPad, iPhone and iPod touch models so I've always had tons of original Apple cables. About every fifth of the original (non-3rd-party) cables did develop these problems. So have the cables of my friends.


Nevertheless, the majority of these "broken" cables still work great.

Oct 31, 2012 4:52 PM in response to Dal9000

I do have this problem, and I'm in the U.S. I have 2 cords, one has kinks at each end, but still works. The other however, has issues. The sleeve at the USB end has "pulled out", and now, the wires don't have a good connection to the point where I have to have the cord oriented a certain way to get it to work. I don't use it anymore, and I'm skeptical of the life left in my current one.

I always pull the plug, not the cord, and rarely use the device when it's charging. What I'd like to find, is a sturdier cord to buy that is more durable. If anyone knows of a brand or model, please post it!

Apr 24, 2013 9:36 PM in response to Dal9000

I take VERY good care of my cables, and I have now had three of them break in less than 2 months time, with one breaking after only a few days use. I build computers, and have been using them for over 30 years, so I know how to treat cables respectfully. The fact of the matter is that these cables are flimsy and NOT made well at all, and almost make me wish I had stuck with my Toshiba Thrive. This is a problem that will seriously discredit Apple if they don't get it fixed soon, especially when paying $12 or more for a cable every time one breaks.

Apr 25, 2013 4:43 AM in response to KalanC

KalanC wrote:


I take VERY good care of my cables, and I have now had three of them break in less than 2 months time, with one breaking after only a few days use. I build computers, and have been using them for over 30 years, so I know how to treat cables respectfully...

Regardless of how long you have been using computers, if you are going through that many cables, no, you aren't "treating them respectfully".



KalanC wrote:


...The fact of the matter is that these cables are flimsy and NOT made well at all, and almost make me wish I had stuck with my Toshiba Thrive...

Then do so.


KalanC wrote:


...This is a problem that will seriously discredit Apple if they don't get it fixed soon...

No, probably not.

Apr 25, 2013 6:07 AM in response to KalanC

This is a VERY common problem and Apple is aware of it. (As I've mentioned above, I've also encountered it with several of my genuine Apple cables. Yes, I'm treating them respectfully too. I'm not an idiot when it comes to electronics.).


As is also explained at https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3450083?start=0&tstart=0 (see carlosity's post at Oct 31, 2011 9:36 PM), you'll need to talk to the Apple Store folks. They will most probably exchange the cable.

Apr 25, 2013 8:27 AM in response to Kilgore-Trout

My what a pretentious man you are. You assume to know so much about me, yet I don't believe we have ever corresponded prior to this exchange. I wonder why it is that my IPhone cable has worked perfectly since I've owned it, yet I have gone through 3 IPad cables since I purchased it a little over 2 months ago. I'm glad that you have not experienced any problems with your cable, but your assumption that no one else has experienced any problems with their cables because your cables work fine is incorrect. My original post was intended to let Dal9000 know that I have also experienced problems with my cables, not to invite a combative response from a pretentious individual. I am sure you are quite knowledgeable, and I'm sure you feel very good about yourself after belittling people in these forums. If you feel the need to respond to my posts I would ask that you respond with less ego and more intelligence. I don't post here expecting to get into a ******* contest with someone I have never even met. I certainly welcome productive and meaningful discussion, but I have no desire to waste my time arguing.


I still maintain that the IPad cables are flimsy and cheaply made, and it is becoming costly having to replace them. Does Apple make an adaptor that would allow me to use the larger IPhone connector in my smaller IPad 4 connector? Thanks to those of you responding with productive comments.

Apr 25, 2013 8:32 AM in response to KalanC

KalanC wrote:


I still maintain that the IPad cables are flimsy and cheaply made, and it is becoming costly having to replace them.


Give a try to an Apple Store. If they deny the issue, show them the thread I've just linked to.


If they still don't replace the cables for free, you could look into the alternatives. For the iPad, many have found these cables far superior, both longevity- and recharging capability-wise, to the genuine Apple ones (and they're far cheaper too): http://www.iphonelife.com/blog/87/third-party-pre-ipad4-charger-cable-tests-last -some-good-cables


KalanC wrote:



Does Apple make an adaptor that would allow me to use the larger IPhone connector in my smaller IPad 4 connector?


Nope - only the other way round.

Apr 25, 2013 9:56 AM in response to KalanC

KalanC wrote:


My what a pretentious man you are. You assume to know so much about me, yet I don't believe we have ever corresponded prior to this exchange. I wonder why it is that my IPhone cable has worked perfectly since I've owned it, yet I have gone through 3 IPad cables since I purchased it a little over 2 months ago. I'm glad that you have not experienced any problems with your cable, but your assumption that no one else has experienced any problems with their cables because your cables work fine is incorrect. My original post was intended to let Dal9000 know that I have also experienced problems with my cables, not to invite a combative response from a pretentious individual. I am sure you are quite knowledgeable, and I'm sure you feel very good about yourself after belittling people in these forums. If you feel the need to respond to my posts I would ask that you respond with less ego and more intelligence. I don't post here expecting to get into a ******* contest with someone I have never even met. I certainly welcome productive and meaningful discussion, but I have no desire to waste my time arguing.


I still maintain that the IPad cables are flimsy and cheaply made, and it is becoming costly having to replace them. Does Apple make an adaptor that would allow me to use the larger IPhone connector in my smaller IPad 4 connector? Thanks to those of you responding with productive comments.

I certainly do not need to "correspond" with you to evaluate the issue presented.


And no, you are not interested in "meaningful discussion". You want to whine.


I work for a (Global) company where the majority of mobile devices deployed in the field are iOS devices - iPads and iPhones - using the lightning connector, often in environments that could easily be hazardous to the equipment (to the point where OtterBox Defender cases are required by policy). We have near zero failure/return on the cables (out of several thousand deployed world wide). I would also contend that the failure rate of the lightning cable is likely not statistically higher then the previous cable.


I stand by my assessment.

Apr 25, 2013 1:19 PM in response to Kilgore-Trout

Since when is responding to a person's question considered whining? You may stand by your assessment, but there are MANY others who would question your assessment. I am talking about the cord for the Ipad 4, not the older models. I also stand by my assessment that you are a pretentious arse who believes he is above everyone else, a legend in your own mind. If it makes you feel better to be rude to people in forums then go for it, but I am done listening to your pretentious drivel. It might do you some good to stop listening to yourself and start reading what others have to say on the subject, as you would discover that this IS a common problem with the smaller lightening cables. Many people believe it has to do with manufacturing problems, and are hopeful that it will be resolved once they change manufacturers. I bought an after market cable today, and I am hoping it will last longer than the Apple cords.

flimsy connector

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