Why do lightning cables break so easily?

I've had my iPhone 5 since launch day and I am still using my original cable. I have purchased a couple extra cables so I can keep one at work, and one at my nightstand, and they are all just fine, even though they are all used almost every day.

My wife got her iPhone 5 in November of 2012 (after she accidentally dropped her iPhone 4 in the toilet). I have had to take about 5 or 6 cables back to Apple for replacement for her. She tends to plug her cable into the phone, then rest the phone down on the cable causing it to make ahard bend with the weight of the phone resting right on the cable where it comes out of the phone connector. Every one of her cables that has failed, had broken the fine wires inside right where she stress bends them. The last time I took cables back to the Apple Store, the clerk there mentioned to me that under his interpretation of the rules, the cables are only covered under the 1 year limited warranty that comes with the iPhone, and are not included in the AppleCare+ extension. It was no problem, because I had a proof of purchase for a cable that was less than a year old, so they used its one year warranty to replace that bad cable.

I would say that the cables are fine, as long as you don't heavily stress them right there at that connection, or probably the other end of the cable as well. As a way around this for her in her car, I bought a decent cable with a micro-USB connector on one end, then I bought her the micro-USB to Lightning adapter, and she uses that in her car now. That one has lasted her about 8 or 9 months and is still working...

GeekBoy.from.Illinois wrote:

.The last time I took cables back to the Apple Store, the clerk there mentioned to me that under his interpretation of the rules, the cables are only covered under the 1 year limited warranty that comes with the iPhone, and are not included in the AppleCare+ extension.

except AppleCare +specifically states cable & charger are covered.

"Apple hardware coverage

AppleCare+ provides repair or replacement coverage, both parts and labor, from Apple-authorized technicians. Service coverage includes the following:

Chris11596 wrote:

What I wanna know is if there's any more durable third party chargers out there??

Are you having a problem with the charger or the cable?

Now let me go head over to my local apple store to shell out 30 dollars for another lightning cable that's gonna break in 3 weeks.

Why would you shell out anything for something that is covered under warranty?

RobBurnsIV wrote:

I really can't believe all these people who say they have no problems. Makes me wonder how many of you are for real or work for Apple trying to refute the claims that their cords suck. And why would you ever need 8 cords?

I haven't had no problems. I've had one. The cable that was on my desk kept getting slammed in the desk drawer. After about a year, it stopped working. I have a bunch of cables because, I've owned every iPhone with a lightning cable up to the iPhone 6 and I've owned a number iPads. As each one comes with a cable and I never get rid of them, they accumulate.

If a cable, after a couple of months just stops working and shows no damage, get it replaced under warranty.

Is it not the same thing???

A cable is a cable.

A charger plugs into the wall.

The cable plugs into the charger and into the iPhone.

And how

Walk into an Apple store and tell them you would like it replaced under warranty.

All Apple products have a one year warranty.

i have best buy protection plan

or take it to Best Buy adn tell them you want it repalced under Best Buy protection plan warranty.

I've literally gone through about 5 cables from various brands, from apple to off brands and I'm getting sick of it. I've wasted so much money on replacement cables. I don't think my old Apple cables ever broke, but these lightning ones are garbage. If anyone has a suggestion on one that lasts for than 3 or 4 months please let me know.

I agree the cables suck. We are a household of about 6 devices using the lightning connecter and they just stop working after a few months. None show any wear and tear. We have legacy itouches and ipads and the older cables work forever. The fanboys hear need to get over themselves and acknowledge that apple doesnt poop rainbows and might need to do something with how sensitive their devices are with the cables.

Solution is to buy lots of cables and toss them when they stop working. It is not your fault. My more thoughtful comment on this topic was just deleted by Apple as "unconstructive" and a "rant," so this one probably will also be deleted. Hosever, I consider it constructive to tell people it is normal for your cables to break or stop working and you should just buy lots of them, rather than only being able to see the comments from people who say their cables are perfect. I am surprised at how livid Apple's deletion made me. My blood is boiling, and I feel I cannot get accurate information about Apple products going forward.

I am not hard on my cords at all. A couple got frayed and stopped working. They shouldn't have gotten frayed the way they did, as I do not misuse them. A couple I had for like a month and just stopped working. I really can't believe all these people who say they have no problems. Makes me wonder how many of you are for real or work for Apple trying to refute the claims that their cords suck. And why would you ever need 8 cords? I've had probably 5 or 6 in the past 2-3 years and only one still works (I wish i could remember what brand this one was).

Because Apple. I've had an iPhone cable last literally less than 36 hours, but I still have a iPad Air cable that works better than all others even though it's falling apart. Seeing as how they manufacture in China for as cheap as possible, it's all based on luck.

Chris__D wrote:

Those cables are really not great! Had the same problem all the time until I found pullproof.

Or, you can take the spring out of a cheap ballpoint pen, one that's run out of ink and your were going to through away anyway and thread it around your cable near where it meets the lightning connector. In addition to costing almost nothing, it also prevent you from kinking the cable.

No, they aren't the same thing. The charge plugs into a wall outlet and actually provides power.

I have 4 Lightning cables and I've never had to replace any of them. But they are covered under your Apple warranty.

Chris11596 wrote:

Is it not the same thing??? The cable doesn't work!! And how i have best buy protection plan

Seriously, you think a cable and a charger are the same thing? They don't look the same, don't perform the same function and are made of different materials. Clearly they are very different. Details matter in a tech support forum.

And no one here is an Apple employee, we're just users who volunteer to help others.

peterdebraux wrote:

BECAUSE APPLE CABLE DESIGN IS TOTALLY PATHETIC

BECAUSE THE COULDBT CARE LESS

Please stop typing in all caps. It's considered shouting and it's rude. Also, combined with the complete lack of punctuation, it will make your posts even less comprehensible.

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