iPhone 3g included USB cable tearing

**JustinHorn** · 10-26-2008, 03:40 PM

Well me and another friend both have the same issue with the USB cable that was included with iPhone 3g (see attached image).

Apple said they would not return it b/c it looks like user damage...but the fact that none of my other 3 or 4 USB iCables have this issue and 2 different iPhone 3g cables have the same exact issue I would disagree with apple on this.

Has anyone else experienced this issue on the iPhone 3g cable?

**cjvitek** · 10-26-2008, 04:03 PM

Mine looks like that as well. And it is actually on the cable I use the least (the one in my car!). The others that I purchased separately and use all the time are fine.

Chris

**Jeremy** · 10-26-2008, 04:36 PM

Ouch, all is well with mine.

**nighthawk** · 10-26-2008, 06:10 PM

I had my phone a week and all is well here.

**cjvitek** · 10-26-2008, 07:44 PM

You know, looking at your pictures, mine is on the USB end of the plug as well. If it was user damage, wouldn't it be more likely to be on the iPhone end, which is being pulled out and pushed in all the time?

**BB-fan** · 10-27-2008, 08:22 AM

Wow, I got no problems here with my cable.

**RAFS** · 11-03-2008, 08:13 AM

I have that same problem, but on the phone end.

**jimbo#im** · 11-03-2008, 02:57 PM

I have same problem 2

**mcdan333#AC** · 11-03-2008, 03:59 PM

My iPhone USB cable is fine, but I had that same problem with my MacBook power adapter, for which Apple started a free swap program. Maybe they will start one for the USB cable as well.

If not, the USB cables are at least comparatively inexpensive.

**ExBBUser** · 11-03-2008, 08:00 PM

no problems here.

**Leanna Lofte** · 11-03-2008, 08:21 PM

Yep! Mine looks exactly like that! It's been bothering me. I haven't noticed any functionality problems with it though. But it seems as though that's bound to come with time.

**Jeremy** · 11-03-2008, 08:47 PM

I really can't believe you guys are having issues with the cord! Before this thread there has not been a single complaint about this that I have read or seen. And this is happening with no abuse what so ever?

**Leanna Lofte** · 11-03-2008, 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by Bad Ash

I really can't believe you guys are having issues with the cord! Before this thread there has not been a single complaint about this that I have read or seen. And this is happening with no abuse what so ever?

Nope, no abuse. My cord is pretty much always plugged into my computer and resting flat on my desk. When I do unplug it, it lays flat on my desk

**RAFS** · 11-04-2008, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by Bad Ash

I really can't believe you guys are having issues with the cord! Before this thread there has not been a single complaint about this that I have read or seen. And this is happening with no abuse what so ever?

That's cause I know that these kind of things happen and I didn't feel like complaining. At least not until someone posted this poll. Figured I might as well respond! No big deal. I use the original Apple one by my bed, so it is being flexed/bent quite a bit when I use the iPhone there. Thus, it is no surprise that it would eventually break. Is this "abuse"? I guess so, if the connector was not designed to be bent so much.

I have 2 Dynex brand connectors that are perfectly fine, in my truck and by the computer (BTW, these can be picked up at Future Shop for only $9.99!). Couple that with the dual USB port cigarette adapter I picked up at Wal-mart for $7.99, and it makes for a relatively economical car charging solution. Plus, since it is dual port, I can charge my Bluetooth headset at the same time!

**JustinHorn** · 11-04-2008, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by Bad Ash

I really can't believe you guys are having issues with the cord! Before this thread there has not been a single complaint about this that I have read or seen. And this is happening with no abuse what so ever?

I use it, but not abuse it. The reason I started this thread was to help back up a post about this on my blog. I just found it strange that I have used other iCords for the last couple years without any problem and within only a few months this new cord breaks. Didn't think it just happen to me and wanted to find out.

**cjvitek** · 11-04-2008, 03:30 PM

Mine has been sitting in the car - so maybe subject to occasional temperature fluctuation. I use it probably 3 or 4 times a week to charge while in the car.

I am with RAFS. I didn't post anything because I figured it was one of those things. Seeing as about 1/3 of the people are having this problem (albeit a VERY small sample size) it seems like maybe more.

Chris

**JustinHorn** · 11-09-2008, 07:32 PM

Well I went to the grand opening of the latest apple store in Dadeland mall in Miami and brought the cord and they replaced it without hesitation. Although, since I happen to be speaking directly with one of the store managers and it was a brand new store maybe they were trying a bit harder?

One thing to note is that they replaced it with the standard cable (the one you squeeze to unlock from the device) and not an iPhone 3g cable. So now I will use this one the same as the old one and see what happens.

**neil78b** · 12-10-2008, 10:45 AM

Wow, that is definitely user damage because its the least used end, so the user would have to be doing something wrong in order for that to happen. If it were at the other end, like mines, that connects to the phone then they would have been quicker to replace it, as it is the most used and likely to tear with normal use.

**JustinHorn** · 12-10-2008, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by neil78b

Wow, that is definitely user damage because its the least used end, so the user would have to be doing something wrong in order for that to happen. If it were at the other end, like mines, that connects to the phone then they would have been quicker to replace it, as it is the most used and likely to tear with normal use.

Wrong. I got a replacement. All 'mines others' cables work fine and never had that problem.

**hotrod#AC** · 12-10-2008, 01:54 PM

mines been doing that for a long time, I just figured it was normal.

**cjvitek** · 12-10-2008, 05:02 PM

Is it just me, but wouldn't user damage occur on the end that...well..gets used more?

Chris

**JustinHorn** · 12-10-2008, 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by cjvitek

Is it just me, but wouldn't user damage occur on the end that...well..gets used more?

Chris

Well I was using this in my car so the whole idea of one end being used more than the other doesn't hold true in my case.

I'm going with the damage occurred on the end that wasn't built as strong. I've had a more than year old iPod cable in my car now to charge my iPhone and it's still going strong after a couple months. The other one broke after about a month

If your iPhone 3g cable isn't busted yet, it will be...not sure when, but it will be

**bsforever** · 12-27-2008, 02:23 PM

Very true...apple build quality is kinda shoddy these days..the same thing happened with my 3g iPhone cable..luckily I had my older thicker ipod USB cable which is 3 yrd old & still going strong!