This was a major improvement of micro USB over mini-USB; the retention-clips on the male connector are sacrificial; this is why micro-USB cables die regularly, but micro-USB jacks rarely do. I don't have any USB-c devices yet, so I don't know how those will fare.
The proprietary connectors used by Nokia, Ericsson, etc, before USB where all "better" in the sense that the contacts were just pressed against each other, just like what used to be (?) on Ipads and Macs.
I've killed a number of USB ports by walking away with or dropping the phone while it's connected.
Oof, tell me about it. I still have a N900 that's otherwise in decent condition, but the MicroUSB charging jack is rattling merrily around inside the case...
