[ad133]

This is one of the strongest pushbacks against USB-C that Apple have:

USB-C: You break the stem, you have a useless device and functioning cable

Lightning: You break the stem, you have a functioning device and useless cable.

One of these is clearly more optimal considering the cost difference between the two. Anecdotally, I have had problems with USB-C ports that I did not have with Micro-USB and (so far) with Lightning (admittedly I have only been an iPhone user for a year or so).

Of course, this directive is the correct stance and direction - having a standard and forcing it on everyone. It's just a shame the one they chose may be inferior.

[philistine]

You forgot the springs. Lighting has the springs in the device, while USB-C has them on the cable. That is why Apple stopped improving Lighting and developed USB-C. The stem can break, but it is far more rare than a tired spring, which is an inevitability.

[droopyEyelids]

The lightning connector standard specifies it must survive through 20k plug/unplug cycles, the USB-C standard 10k.

[ksec]

> That is why Apple stopped improving Lighting and developed USB-C

They did not develop USB-C. That was a thing started by Gruber.

[InTheArena]

Apple was involved in usb-c, and the first major adopter.

[tpmx]

I recently repaired a family member's iPhone. A crappy Lightning cable had been used and the tip metal piece of the plug had somehow broken off and gotten stuck inside the socket.

Like this:

https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/163391/lightning+connect...

Here's a decent 2 minute video that explains the problem and the fix:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eujHf-ry8zw