Yes, I think connectors are now the weakest part of an optical cable.

Singlemode's biggest weakness is alignment, optics, and a big change for a single dust particle to do a double digit decibel drop.

Either terminations will have to be done with some abuse proofing ferrule with a built-in lens, or every optical cable have to be active, with a transmitter glued to it.

The later in comparison to first, solves the issue in its entirety, and is not that much of a crazy proposition today.

Even the most fancy laser chips like EAM, and MZI modulated ones, can be made for cents if the competition will made vendors to drop prices.