That's absolutely true. I don't know where USB-alliance got those numbers from, but it seems like totally made-up, IMO.

The main reason for microUSB was to "save wear on ports", and put it on cables, that are much more cheap to replace. Good idea, but fatal in practice - from day one of microUSB presence, mobile service centers are literally full of broken-port repairs. At the same time, it was much less of a concern in times of microUSB.

Maybe it's not entirely USB alliance to be blamed (no idea) - as it's possible, that internal construction of ports make them less prone to wear. Hoever, on 99% of devices, microUSB port is soldered only to surface of PCB, where roughly 70% (from practice, not scientifically measured) of miniUSB ports were soldered through holes in PCB, and definitely 100% of normal-sized USB ports are made this way.

This sole fact defeat whole purpose of wear-prone ports, as they fall apart like flies, and we need to do tricks like soldering them down.
---

As for cables vs. "normal" repair, I never meant that You did it "wrong". It's absolutely understandable, that You decided to go cable way, as repairing it on pads is PITA, and once pads were damaged 1st time, you can't tell for sure if they won't fell apart completely, even despite soldering port down etc. Using testpads method is only sane way of repairing it. I just meant, that it isn't as easy as some people may think, judging by pictures only - soldering to pads is OK, but creating free space for cables may be PITA, again.

In fact, it's the "demolition" you have made inside case - under camera space - that shocked me more, than a "outside look" of Your device. Not much choice, though, for having cables reliable placed. Another approach would be to cut some of unnecessary plastic from under secondary board (one with camera flashlight and microSD), and run cables through there.
---

After all, despite looking terribly, good job Just keep in mind, that You don't have 5V fuse, and external antii-ESD protection for USB (but, USB chip itself have internal protection components, rated for 8,8 kV, so unless You want to catch lightning-strikes by your USB cable, You should be OK).

/Estel

Ps.

You're planning to add power-mat to device, for wireless charging? It was covered in some thread, here, on TMO.