Micro USB. Worst cable type ever?

jaybee · 18 Dec 2019 at 07:49

I find myself now avoiding buying any electronic device where possible, that does not feature newer usb-c ports. I feel that micro usb was worse than mini usb in terms of durability and reliability.

I have kindles, android tabs, smart phones, PS4 controllers to name but a few of the various things in my house that just will not charge anymore until I find a random cable that when the stars align, at the right time of year and whilst at the right angle and pressure, will take charge.

Long live usb-c surely?

b00merang69 · 18 Dec 2019 at 07:50

Yes prone to wear and breaking, C is far better.

StarShock · 18 Dec 2019 at 08:08

I don't think micro is that bad on its own merits, there are certainly worse ones. But micro is definitely not great and was compounded by being ubiquitous for a number of years, so just about everyone had to use them every day

thankfully now we're starting to move away from it.

james.miller · 18 Dec 2019 at 08:26

Well, reversable is good. Data rates and power handling are also good. But usb c ports are made of cheese. They are no better than micro USB in that regard and worse in my experience. Everybody says usb c is a better design than lightning but I can't agree with that. The lightning ports and connectors are much sturdier. Yeah the leads break but I'd rather replace the leads than replace the ports and so far every usb c device ive owned (three of them excluding my current phone!) has ended up with a broken port and i don't mishandle my electronics at all.

mattyfez · 18 Dec 2019 at 08:51

I find usbc port on my phone gets compacted pocket lint in it, so the cable won't engage properly.
Periodically have to scrape it out with a straightened staple.

apostolis_kt · 18 Dec 2019 at 09:53

I like the micro usb probably because i am used to it now almost all the devices i have have it appart from ps3 and wii u pro controllers which use the mini.

The only usb-c device i have is the nintendo switch which is docked so its not as if i plug it.

I never had a problem with the actual contacts on the micro usbs, but some times the cables get broken, due to my fault probably i run over them with my office chair

. Worse though is the lightning cables from apple, not sure what my gf does to them they get easily ripped and had to change a few.

Only annoying thing i can say about micro usb is transfer speeds and my phone being a mate 8 uses the old usb2 takes long to copy files, and worse if its not huawei's 9v 2A charger it will charge really slow.

But to be fair lets compare the situation with early 2000 when all devices had proprietary cables and you had to have a bazilion different adaptors and transformers so i am quite happy. Wish all the companies just used one standard, ie usb-c now or whatever I think apple woke up after many years.

MassiveJim · 18 Dec 2019 at 10:05

Bring back the old nokia connector
Who needs data anyway

champion1642 · 18 Dec 2019 at 15:02

I really don't like them, they always tend to break, and there's only one way to put them in.

LuckyBenski · 18 Dec 2019 at 18:17

Weirdly I really liked micro USB for years. Maybe because there was a time when I could charge everything I had off any of the several charges floating around my space.

But since USB C came along it's increasingly frustrating using micro. My main charger seems unreliable, and I've broken two long cables in my XBOX One pad already. Keep pulling the cable while playing and the plug is just bendy. Thankfully the socket in the pad seems tougher.

apostolis_kt · 19 Dec 2019 at 13:26

LuckyBenski said:
Weirdly I really liked micro USB for years. Maybe because there was a time when I could charge everything I had off any of the several charges floating around my space.

But since USB C came along it's increasingly frustrating using micro. My main charger seems unreliable, and I've broken two long cables in my XBOX One pad already. Keep pulling the cable while playing and the plug is just bendy. Thankfully the socket in the pad seems tougher.

I have a second charger from huawei for my phone plugged with a micro usb in the living room and use that as my generic charger for any micro usb device. That way i avoid having a cable dangling from the ps4 and my gf walking over and nocking the console or destroying the cable. To be fair i went and got another controller to always have one charged while the other is getting charged so i dont play and charge at the same time as going back to cables feels really restrictive.

mrk · 21 Dec 2019 at 22:42

mattyfez said:
I find usbc port on my phone gets compacted pocket lint in it, so the cable won't engage properly.
Periodically have to scrape it out with a straightened staple.

Are your pockets really that barren a wasteland that dust accumulates on a regular basis?!

I have never once had to do this with any of my phones!

Also Type C ports are made to be more durable than Micro. If a device has bad C ports then the manufacturer of the device is to blame for poor QC, not the port format itself.

I too refuse to buy anything new that has a Micro USB port. The last thing I own is my G900 mouse but I plug that in once a week to charge and that's it so no big deal I guess.

mattyfez · 22 Dec 2019 at 13:30

mrk said:
Are your pockets really that barren a wasteland that dust accumulates on a regular basis?!

I have never once had to do this with any of my phones!

Also Type C ports are made to be more durable than Micro. If a device has bad C ports then the manufacturer of the device is to blame for poor QC, not the port format itself.

I too refuse to buy anything new that has a Micro USB port. The last thing I own is my G900 mouse but I plug that in once a week to charge and that's it so no big deal I guess.

Yeh, although this is my second phone with USB C.
The first one (P9) was OK.
This one, LG G6, I've had to clean it out twice in just over 12 months of use.

Maybe the ports aren't all identical. My lifestyle /place of work hasn't changed in this time..

A2B · 3 Mar 2021 at 15:18

jaybee said:
I feel that micro usb was worse than mini usb in terms of durability and reliability.

yes (yep I necro'ed just to vent

). horribly unreliably if the cable is moved at all. I use a battery powered usb hub outdoors (long story) and it's the worst for something like that too. Plus super-fragile.

Then again, USB-C can also be unreliable if the cable is moved at all, depending on the connector quality. some are fine, others (eg. some cheap USB-C -> Type A adapters) disconnect if you move them a fraction sideways. for reliability, you can beat A / B. I'd rather have the bulk then always worry about dropping connections.