Are Manufacturers Able to Solve the Problem of Easily Damaged Phone Data Cables?

Many smartphone users often face a frustrating problem: easily damaged data cables. This is especially true for iPhone users and their original data cables, which are prone to issues such as glue separation or oxidation at the connectors, resulting in charging problems.

The good news is that Apple is currently working on solving this problem.

As a professional manufacturer of phone data cables, we have received information indicating that Apple may adopt a new design for the bundled data cables this year, using liquid silicone gel data cables.

Currently, Apple’s data cables use TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) material for the outer layer. TPE is a third-generation rubber material known for its ease of processing, recyclability, environmental friendliness, and energy efficiency. However, TPE is less heat resistant compared to rubber, with its properties declining significantly as temperatures rise, limiting its applications. Additionally, TPE performs worse in terms of compression deformation, elasticity, durability, and often comes at a higher price compared to similar rubber materials.

Therefore, the original Apple data cables tend to experience various issues after some time of use, largely due to the adoption of TPE material.

Liquid silicone gel, on the other hand, is a widely used material that offers superior tear resistance, resilience, yellowing resistance, thermal stability, and heat aging resistance compared to previous TPE materials.

Many infant products, medical supplies, and even some electronic devices’ buttons commonly use liquid silicone gel material. In comparison to traditional plastic materials, liquid silicone gel not only meets food-grade safety standards but also provides a better skin-like feel and texture.

Currently, many phone cases, including Apple’s official silicone cases, utilize liquid silicone gel material. This material ensures sufficient strength, cushioning, and protection for phones while offering a pleasant tactile experience.

It is precisely because of these new characteristics of liquid silicone gel material that it becomes an excellent choice for cable materials. Data cables made with liquid silicone gel material are more flexible, corrosion-resistant, and heat-resistant. Additionally, they can effectively prevent issues like blackening or yellowing over time.

However, one drawback of liquid silicone gel is that it tends to attract dust more easily during regular use, making cleaning less convenient compared to common materials.

Furthermore, it has been confirmed that Apple will adopt the type-C interface in the new iPhone this year. With the gold fingers of the type-C interface located inside the port, rather than exposed externally like Apple’s previous lightning port, its corrosion resistance will also see fundamental improvements.

As a result, the long-standing issue of original data cables’ lack of durability is expected to be fundamentally resolved this year.

What’s more, considering Apple’s influence and appeal throughout the entire smartphone industry, if they switch to liquid silicone gel material for their data cables, it is predicted that Android phone manufacturers will also follow suit. This will lead to a wider adoption and promotion of liquid silicone gel data cables.

Therefore, the durability of data cables in the entire industry is expected to improve, resolving a long-standing headache for consumers.

Currently, some third-party manufacturers have already introduced liquid silicone gel cables, which are slightly more expensive than ordinary data cables, typically priced above 30 yuan.

If you desire a more durable data cable, Apple has already provided a solution: braided cables. Compared to cables made with common materials, they offer significantly better durability, allowing users to select according to their own needs.

However, there is one question: Apple will adopt the USB-C port this year, and according to rumors, it will still maintain the MFI (Made for iPhone) official certification. With the change in cable material, overall costs will certainly increase. Will Apple transfer these costs to the overall selling price of the phones?