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Comment by hagope | Hacker News Reader

I find my micro USB type-B connectors all eventually fail, and I've been combing through Amazon to find a reliable cable manufacturer, any suggestions?

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This is actually by design, kind of. Mini USB didn't have this problem with cable connectors because the complexity was in the jack. Unfortunately that meant that when a failure did occur it was on the divide and couldn't easily be fixed. Micro USB improved on that by shifting the complexity to the plug side. So the cable failing eventually is down to a lesser of two evils engineering tradeoff.

Huh. I know it was the rationale behind micro USB that the jacks would be more reliable than before. But I've actually had multiple micro USB sockets fail, while I've never had a problem with a micro USB plug, or old mini USB plugs or sockets.

In particular, my Nexus 7 needed two replacement jacks. I gave up after the second replacement broke. Phone jacks also get a bit loose after a year or two.

Since micro USB (sockets) are supposed to be more stable, I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong?

Also the stupid things collect lint in my pocket. I almost threw away a phone that couldn't be charged anymore, only to find I can revive it with a toothpick.

Look for cables made by Volutz. I had never heard of the company before I tried them, but their cables are incredibly durable. They're also 24/20 AWG and I've never seen USB cables that thick sold by anyone else.

Anker.

I like their charging products, but the cables have been failing at the connector...

Which kind of cable? If it's micro USB, they're designed to fail under low amounts of stress (thus sparing the much more difficult to replace port).

Unless handled with kid gloves, Micro USB cables from all manufacturer break easily.

Yup, I've never had a problem with any of my Anker gear. Cables aren't as flimsy as most of the cheaper ones - they seem pretty sturdy - and their other stuff (I have a 5-port wall charger and a power bank) is top notch as well. I usually don't like advertising a brand like that, but they seem to be doing everything right so far and I'd buy it all again.

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