SMT connectors are just as reliable as leaded connectors. If your former
leaded connector did the job without cracking it's most likely that a
similar SMT connector also will do the job.

Flexing a PCB will most certainly stress the solder joints regardles of
lead or SMT. Lots of books and articles exist concerning this matter but
be sure that it might take some time to get an overview of this. Just
try searching at the web ...

I think there must be a kind of mechanically support to the connector in
order to avoid any load to the solder joints - regardles of connector
type. In this way stress will never arise at the solder joints.
Testing this could e.g. be by means of plugging/unplugging many times to
simulate life cycle - most likely the connector wears out and thus the
press-in force reduces.

Best regards
Svend

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