General Apple Megathread

[photon]

The only one I've ever had fray is the one in my vehicle, and I just assume that's because UV light does its job on the plastic so it breaks down much faster.

[Jimmy Stang]

I've had good luck with Amazon Basics lightning cords. They seem to be more sturdy, are "certified", and are a fraction of the cost. 6 footers available too.

[Aegypticus]

I haven't gotten one yet, but the Anker Powerline II cables from Amazon.ca have caught my eye. They have a video of a dude literally hanging from them, which seemed pretty impressive to me. Seem to get good reviews, too. I was waiting on Amazon to get colours other than white before ordering, and it looks like they have black now, so I think I'll get a couple. I'll post back with my thoughts.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Aegypticus

I haven't gotten one yet, but the Anker Powerline II cables from Amazon.ca have caught my eye.

Those look pretty sweet. I wonder if they fit with a case though?

[DownInFlames]

Anker Powerline cables are awesome. I don't have any Lightning cables yet, but the USB-C are very high quality. I like the velcro strap that's included to keep them tidy.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

I've had good luck with Amazon Basics lightning cords. They seem to be more sturdy, are "certified", and are a fraction of the cost. 6 footers available too.

Amazon basics aren't bad cables, but I've been buying nylon braided cables to try something new. They seem slightly more durable than the Amazon basic cables I had before. The Amazon basic ones weren't lasting much more than 3-4 months with my wife. These braided ones are at around 4 months and going.


However, I'm also theorizing that the length is a part of the problem vs nylon braided being more sturdy. The Amazon Basics cable she was using was a 3 footer, so there was strain strain on the cable from the wall to bedside table. Every time she checked her phone, strain on cable which added up. The braided cable is 6ft, so there's no basic strain from wall to bedside table and even has extra slack which allows using phone while in bed.

The length theory is more promising to me, because 2 of the original iphone cables we had destroyed by her were the ones we plugged by her beside table.


6 or 10 foot + cables for life. That is, until Qi charging becomes ubiquitous.

EDIT: Using something like this, slightly different brand

https://www.amazon.ca/iPhone-Cable-3...ightning+cable

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Aegypticus

I haven't gotten one yet, but the Anker Powerline II cables from Amazon.ca have caught my eye. They have a video of a dude literally hanging from them, which seemed pretty impressive to me. Seem to get good reviews, too. I was waiting on Amazon to get colours other than white before ordering, and it looks like they have black now, so I think I'll get a couple. I'll post back with my thoughts.

Anker power line ones work great. I don't have any issues with the ones I've acquired. The ends are reinforced. But for the price of those cables, I have decided to acquire braided cables instead. I can get up to 3-4 cables for the price of one Anker cable, if one fails I still have 3 backups.

Anker cables I feel are probably more durable than 90% of all other cables 3ft or less. I don't think there's as big of a difference entering the 6ft+ range.

I don't think you can go wrong purchasing an Anker cable. But a 10 ft Anker cable is $20 (I bought one, going strong even after a two years) and 3 braided cables is $16 on Amazon.

[calgaryblood]

So Apple got back to me and said "we are sorry we will not replace the cord as it had physical damage".

Are they that stupid that they thought I complained to get a new cord?

[KTrain]

If not to get a new cord, why did you complain then? Their cords fraying has been a known issue for years. One complaint isn't going to change their production methods.

I used to have a bunch of their cords that frayed. I just trained myself to pull out the cords from the inputs rather than from the cord. It seems to be the only way to prevent fraying.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by KTrain

If not to get a new cord, why did you complain then? Their cords fraying has been a known issue for years. One complaint isn't going to change their production methods.

I used to have a bunch of their cords that frayed. I just trained myself to pull out the cords from the inputs rather than from the cord. It seems to be the only way to prevent fraying.

Because their cord was as hot as an oven and could have burnt down my house.

That's a typical Apple response "you're holding it wrong", "you're taking it out wrong".

Or they could just make better, more safe products.

[KTrain]

But you continued to use a damaged cord to charge your phone. I'm all for holding businesses accountable but there needs to be some personal responsibility too.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by KTrain

But you continued to use a damaged cord to charge your phone. I'm all for holding businesses accountable but there needs to be some personal responsibility too.

So if a cord becomes damaged, and it can burn down a house, that's reasonable to you? Especially considering millions of kids use iPods and iPhones that have the same charger?

A cord shouldn't be made so cheaply in the first place to have this problem. Apple cords fraying is notorious, but I didn't think it would lead to it becoming scorching hot.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

So if a cord becomes damaged, and it can burn down a house, that's reasonable to you? Especially considering millions of kids use iPods and iPhones that have the same charger?

A cord shouldn't be made so cheaply in the first place to have this problem. Apple cords fraying is notorious, but I didn't think it would lead to it becoming scorching hot.

With the number of apple cables out there probably numbering a couple billion, an issue like yours is definitely going to crop up. That being said, it's probably not overly common. I'd argue they definitely should have sent you a free cable, but beyond that just be happy you noticed it.

You could buy other products, but I highly doubt you'll find anything that could be deemed safer.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by Russic

With the number of apple cables out there probably numbering a couple billion, an issue like yours is definitely going to crop up. That being said, it's probably not overly common. I'd argue they definitely should have sent you a free cable, but beyond that just be happy you noticed it.

You could buy other products, but I highly doubt you'll find anything that could be deemed safer.

Well I did just buy a Belkin from the Apple Store so let's hope they make better products than Apple does.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Well I did just buy a Belkin from the Apple Store so let's hope they make better products than Apple does.

If you don't mind... how much did you pay for that cable? Apple has a Belkin cable for sale for $35 on their website. That's idiotic and I really hope you didn't pay that. Cables are disposable. If they start bulging or fraying etc, replace them. The only reason why some people don't think this IMO is that they're ridiculously overpaying at the Apple store or Bestbuy or other brick and mortar stores. Some guy was making a killing selling 10 ft cables at $25 a pop (I think it was) at the Stampede. He easily paid 1/5th that price or less for those cables.


I seriously recommend either buying an Anker Kevlar 10 foot cable for $20, or multiple nylon braided cables for a fraction of that price if you're rough with cables.

https://www.amazon.ca/Anker-PowerLin...ightning+cable

or

https://www.amazon.ca/iPhone-Marktol...ightning+cable
(Single for about $9, 3 pack for about $15)


IMO, short cables being tugged is a huge reason these cables fray prematurely. 3ft cables are too short unless it's in a desktop environment IMO. a 6 or 10 foot cable should have far less strain on the cable and thus should theoretically last longer. Plus, the extra length is awesome.


You should consider returning the Belkin.

[calgaryblood]

Paid $35 for the 10 foot and what other options do I have? Third party ones not approved by Apple are of very poor quality (yes, even worse than Apple).

Apple and Belkin make the best cords but that's really not saying much. Had too many problems with "this cord is not compatable" and it wrecking my phone that I only use apple approved cords now.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Paid $35 for the 10 foot and what other options do I have? Third party ones not approved by Apple are of very poor quality (yes, even worse than Apple).

Apple and Belkin make the best cords but that's really not saying much. Had too many problems with "this cord is not compatable" and it wrecking my phone that I only use apple approved cords now.

I'd have to disagree with that. There are much better cords out there for much cheaper, including "Apple Certified" ones. Amazon.ca alone has a bunch of options. And not too far back in this thread there were a bunch of great recommendations.

Edit: Not saying that the Belkin won't last a while, especially with the added length. Just advocating for some options beyond the good 'ol Apple Store (and their markup).

[DownhillGoat]

Yeah the monoprice ones I've picked up are way better than any Belkin or Apple I've bought.
Even the amazon basics are decent. No more durable than apple but 1/3 the cost.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Paid $35 for the 10 foot and what other options do I have? Third party ones not approved by Apple are of very poor quality (yes, even worse than Apple).

Apple and Belkin make the best cords but that's really not saying much. Had too many problems with "this cord is not compatable" and it wrecking my phone that I only use apple approved cords now.

No, they don't. Those two brands are the worst cable brands I have ever used in my life. There are plenty of cables that are superior. Apple is not in the business of cables. They get some average decent ones from some 3rd party and brand it as their own. There are plenty of other guys who focus on great experience and quality of their products. Anker is one of them.

Honestly, I've used 3rd party cables for years. None have ever come close to wrecking my phone. Maybe there were a few when the lightning cable first came out that weren't up to par, but I'm guessing 99% of cables these days won't do that. Plus Apple has a feature built in so that a crappy cable can't fry their electronics.

The wall adapter on the other hand... I've run into a few issues with the standard Apple ones overheating due to it being damaged/a lemon or a random 3rd party one over heating because it's just trash. That's not on the cable.

I've used Anker (easily one of the best quality wise, and great customer service if something goes wrong), Amazon Basics (slightly better than Apple, way cheaper), Apple (Meh/adequate/whatever came with device), Belkin (average to crap experience and expensive), half a dozen misc China brands.

Seriously, I'd bet you could buy an Anker cable now, and within 6 months, you'd easily notice the Anker is superior to the Belkin and the OEM Apple cable. IIRC, Anker has a 18 month warranty on their cables. Belkin only has 12 months.

Anker also manufactures fantastic wall chargers and power banks. I have acquired other brands to compare and Anker's products just keep chugging along while other ones end up being returned quickly or give out. Anker actually cares that they put out a quality cable. Belkin is just rebranding a random China product and milking the price differential. Apple is just putting out a meh/decent cable.

Apple and Belkin are the worst I have ever used. I'd rather roll the dice on a sketch China brand than waste money on that crap. It's probably the same quality. Literally. But the China doesn't cost 6-7 times more. Most of the China brands on Amazon are pretty good. Plus the Amazon guarantee protects you from flagrant garbage products. I don't think I've ever used a Belkin product for over 4 months without chucking it due to it being broken or just difficult to use. I think the longest I've used an Apple cable is 14 months. I chuck them into a drawer now and use them as a cable to connect to a computer at most.

[calgaryblood]

Good to know. Yes, I had problems when they first came out and didn't realize companies started making much better ones. I feel stupid for buying it now but at least it's extra long I guess.