Yes I have this problem. I would assume it's a problem with all USB ports and it's just phones get charged and moved around more than other devices. Last phone the port was like that but I think USB C is more stable?
I went for the cheap entry level Samsung and it seems pretty much identical to the top line older phone I had but unfortunately doesn't have wireless charging as a backup!
I think cheap leads are a problem, because it can be difficult to buy a genuine charger now, there are so many "fakes". My last lead that I bought from a UK physical store melted while plugged into the car charger port recently, which was a bit of a surprise.
I used to use my phone at the beach quite a lot and found that getting sand in the port would often cause it to stop working. Now I always put it in a waterproof case if I take it there to avoid that.
Lint in the usb socket standing off the header from complete insertion? Small metal tools can often get it out, eg, precision tweezer head. Cable itself broken inside?
This. So many times this has been the cause of the problem. First time someone pointed this out I was amazed at the amount of lint I pulled out and even more amazed that the port was - with some jiggling - able to function at all with all that crap in it.
Personally I'd avoid metal tools for cleaning it out as if you're not careful you can damage the socket. I just cut a thin slither off a bamboo skewer and use that - you can get a pack of 100 skewers for next to nothing at the supermarket and that'll last you forever - unless you actually make kebabs with them :D
I use a toothpick to clean the ligthning port of my iPhones. Toothpicks are cheap as well..
Huh. I keep my phone in my pants pocket, and I never once thought about lint getting in that socket.
While you are trying to fix it, you may also try to charge it wirelessly via Qi [1] standard. It is way less efficient but if you got nothing else, it might be a suitable solution for a while.
1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qi_(standard)
The cables are also the point of issue. I have changed the charging cable which has resulted in proper charging. And the cleaning of the port. Lint accumulation prevents the contacts being properly connected with the charging pins.
Cleaning of the port using a wooden toothpick (shaven to a right size) and changing of the charging cable as almost always helped me across the 25+ of cell phone usage.
had the same with several phones - it's annoying. Now with a new phone when at home I am charging wireless and barely use the usb-c port. Additionally I am using a dust plug to further protect the port
While this is good practise to protect your port, I stopped doing this as soon as I learned that you basically waste 25% or more of your charging power to generate heat.
This also often is the case with these magnetic / magsafe like charging cables, because they are mostly made cheap Materials.
My advice would be:
Use a good (thick) charging cable (best case checked with an USB tester)
Don't use your phone while charging (to prevent wiggling)
Keep a charging level between 20-80% to keep battery healthy
Do not use fast charging whenever possible
If your phone is not charging, try to clean out the port Form dirt and dust (be careful)
If this is not fixing it, use wireless charging or let it repair by a professional
Do you use your phone while it's plugged in? That's the number one killer of both cables and ports in my experience, especially since all phones now have the charging port at the bottom.
100% to all the comments talking about lint/dirt in the usb port socket itself.
I've had exactly the same problems, and 10 minutes spent cleaning out the port with a small toothpick or similar works wonders.
Problem disappears instantly.
There should be a USB FAQ about this with every product sold.