The problem with Apple's cords is that the rubber insulation seems to be too long for the wire beneath. Both my iPhone 6 and MacBook Pro cords have their rubber

The problem with Apple's cords is that the rubber insulation seems to be too long for the wire beneath. Both my iPhone 6 and MacBook Pro cords have their rubber peeling away from the wire. It's not fraying, it's peeling because the rubber is pushing itself away from the wire from too much tension. Luckily, at least with the newer cords, the wire is very sturdy. The coating seems to be more for cosmetics than insulation these days. The technology inside may be impressive, but the overall quality of the product still screams "made in China". The only real explanation after many years of the same shoddy cords is that it is intentional on Apple's part, to get people buying new cords at $100 a pop every couple of years.