The cable plug is supposed to fail instead of the socket on the device. Actual testing[1] demonstrates that the microUSB socket on the device does not last the rated 10k cycles and also that the cable lasts longer than the socket on the device.
TL;DW- Repeated insertion and removal led to the socket on the microUSB SSD failing after 8000 cycles, cable was still fine. USB-C still worked after 8000 cycles.
That video tested insertions, which is not the only type of abuse phones take. Falling, being shoved into poor angles, being removed from charging at a suboptimal angle (eg, walking away with it plugged in), for example are more common causes of phone cord failure in microusb.
That is statisticaly insignificant show test: sample of 1. Moreover the micro-USB-B 3.0 was tested which is wider, harder to plug as has much more pins to fail vs more common micro USB-B 2.0
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqtNleXhTRE
TL;DW- Repeated insertion and removal led to the socket on the microUSB SSD failing after 8000 cycles, cable was still fine. USB-C still worked after 8000 cycles.