Lightning form factor have a lot of disadvantage. It already has problem with the exposed pins, USBC has wayyyyy more pins, which need to be tinier, and would easily be damaged.

Remember that apple contributed to the USB-C format, and prefer it for all their other products.

In USB-C, all the pins are protected by the outer shell.

> more resistant to damage

In what way? Every single lighting cable I've had since the switch was done years ago is unusable after a few months. The same pin, 4th from the left, wears out after a very short time. This has happened across owning multiple phones and iPads. I've lost count of the number of cables I've bought from either Apple or a 3rd party.

I see the exact same damage on other people's cables frequently. I'm honestly surprised there hasn't been a class action lawsuit against Apple about this.

Any data on it being more resistant to damage? From my anecdotal experience lighting connectors break more often.

Mostly because Apple refuses to license anything that has to do with Lightning to the USB Consortium.