Are you comparing plugging in a USB fob to soldering a connector to pins, and that's what you're referring to as "not that much different"?
I would consider any time you have to solder a custom connector onto the device to fix it as being bricked. The equipment, knowledge and capability to do that are very rare.
I would consider any time you have to solder a custom connector onto the device to fix it as being bricked. The equipment, knowledge and capability to do that are very rare.