Only if you forget that there were at least 10 differente incompatible standards on how the device told the charger to pull more power.

What is different about that with USB-C?

Obviously: PD existing. And most devices, even those that have custom modes (e.g. OnePlus Warp), support PD too.

Microusb usually didn't burn out or brick the device

No, those cables are not durable at all. Cheap or expensive, they don't last more than a few months with heavy use.

Yet, over the years, I've only had one or two break. I have years-old Motorola micro usb cables that still work perfectly, and which are still in use. They were not all garbage.

The couple daily use cables I've got have lasted years. Only cables I've had break regularly are headphone cables.