CS70 wrote:You meant really counterfeited in a literal sense, not just lookalike as shape. These aren't the ones I am speaking of - the ones I buy at high street shops are a little cheaper but clearly branded with their own brand and packaging.
Yep, I listed three cable types, if that wasn't clear - genuine Apple ones, branded third-party ones available to buy in UK shops, and the cheap knock-offs you get on ebay etc.
CS70 wrote:They last exactly as long the real Apple ones, but occasionally give the "not supported" message..
Not in my experience. My genuine ones last typically for the lifetime of the cable (ie, up to the time the cable starts to physically fail), whereas a range of third-party ones bought in shops (and not especially cheap either) tended to last anywhere from three to 12 months, on average based on my sample size over the last 8 or so years - multiple Apple ones, multiple cheap ebay ones (cheap, worth a try) and multiple ones of various good third-party brands bought in shops, probably a good 6+ of each, plus other family and friends experiences added in there.
I've never had a "not supported" issue with genuine cables, but definitely do get them with branded third-parties over the lifespan mentioned above - some of which causing cables in otherwise perfectly good condition to be discarded because they no longer work, and/or charge Apple devices.
I absolutely have observed and experienced repeatable way improved lifetimes with genuine cables over any other solution, meaning that I favour that approach where possible. Ymmv of course, I'm just mentioning my experiences with them.
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