Are USB-C cables really this bad? I now wore out at least four (!) of them - to the point where if I look at them wrong, they lose power and / or data connection.

There is no visible damage. I don't put the cables under tension or force them to bend at sharp angles. They don't even get direct sunlight - I just use them to plug in my phone to charge overnight ...

And yet, after 1-2 years, every USB-C cable I owned to date became so unreliable that I no longer trusted it and had to replace it 😵

this rant brought to you by ... me, having just ordered two new cables, because *both* USB-C to USB-C cables I own are now too unreliable 🙄🙄🙄

@decathorpe all my cables are fine but my phone USB port is always useless after ~1 year. For another year I can barely charge with the Thinkpad laptop charger and nothing else
Then I need to get it replaced or buy a new phone.

@decathorpe I am not a mechanical engineer, but I have read numerous discussions of USB-C vs Lightning that indicated that the plug is designed to be less durable, because a durable plug would cause more wear on the socket.

Which leads me to believe that yes, USB-C cables are really this bad, by design.

@hroncok funnily enough I never had a USB port (or plug) itself break, only the cables ...

@gordonmessmer I could understand it if it was the plugs that break, but no. it's not the plugs, it's the cables themselves (and not even the problem spots right next to the plug, but like 10 cm along the cable)

@decathorpe Well, if you ever find a brand that holds up better, let me know. I'd be curious.

(at least some monoprice cables have good warranties and can be replaced if they go bad.)