HACKER Q&A
📣 raffraffraff

Are USB-C ports less durable than micro USB?


I've had a phone for a few years, and it hasn't been mistreated. Almost every morning I go to unplug my charger cable and it either fell out during the night or is so low that it falls it when I pick up the phone. There is no debris in the port. I've never had this problem with any older USB port (although I have had to clear debris once or twice).

It really sucks that this phone is perfect apart from the charger port


  👤 tjoff Accepted Answer ✓
Or just a low quality cable?

In general I'd say usb-c is considered far more durable than micro-usb. But as always, tolerances vary between products.


👤 timonoko
There are two kinds of USB-C, "short" and "long". The connector is the same, but the plastic sleeve covers too much and the connector cannot go deep enough to click. Skillful operator likeme removes so much excess plastic that some metal stays exposed when plugged in. 8 millimeter seems to be the optimal connector length.

👤 FinnKuhn
This honestly reminds me of this "experiment" in which the conclusion was, if I remember correctly, that USB C becomes loose faster, but continues to work for longer in total: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqtNleXhTRE

👤 jimmoores
There probably _is_ something in the port compressed up against the back - try scraping around inside with a non-conductive pointy thing.

👤 londons_explore
USB-D ought to need to pass this test before release:

Dip both plug and socket in water, sand, pocket lint, soil, and cat fur.

Plug in cable

Wiggle a bunch, tug the cable in a few random directions.

Disconnect, then repeat the process 10,000 times.

If the plug and socket still work correctly after that, then it's a good socket design. If not, it is insufficiently robust and the designers should redesign.


👤 rozenmd
My Pixel 3 only "grips" the official Pixel 3 charger cable.

Using my MacBook's USB C cable requires constant checking that it's still connected - could just be an extra "feature" Google added.


👤 rasz
USB-C moves wear to the plugs just like micro USB. If your cable falls out its plug is 'spent'.

👤 mardiyah
has nothing to do with its kind

it's up to quality and brand, ie. whichever top notch one will serve well and be very durable, as money never lie