Dealing with Broken Screen iPhones: A Step-by-Step Guide

Dealing with a broken screen iPhone can be frustrating, but it's not the end of the world. You can still use your iPhone even with a cracked screen, but it's essential to act quickly to prevent further damage.

The cost of repairing a broken screen iPhone can vary greatly, depending on the extent of the damage and your location. In some cases, it can be as low as $100, but in other cases, it can be upwards of $300.

To determine the best course of action, it's crucial to assess the severity of the damage. If the screen is only cracked and still functional, you might be able to get away with a simple repair. However, if the screen is shattered beyond recognition, it may be more complicated and expensive to fix.

In some cases, a broken screen iPhone can still be used with a temporary fix, such as a screen protector or a DIY repair kit.

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If you're considering repairing your broken iPhone screen, it's essential to weigh your options carefully. You can choose to repair the screen yourself or have a professional do it for you.

The cost of repairing your iPhone screen can vary greatly depending on the model and type of screen. For example, the average cost of iFixit's Screen Fix Kits for older iPhone models like the iPhone 11 is around $81, while newer models like the iPhone 12 can cost up to $184.

If you decide to repair your iPhone screen yourself, you can save a significant amount of money. According to the table below, repairing an iPhone 11 Pro's screen can cost as little as $142.99, compared to Apple's out-of-warranty repair cost of $279.

However, if you're not comfortable with DIY repairs, you can opt for a professional service. Apple Authorized Service Providers offer reliable service, but can be costly. Alternatively, you can choose a third-party repair shop like uBreakiFix, which may offer more affordable options.

In some cases, repairing your iPhone screen can be more cost-effective than buying a new iPhone. According to Apple, repairing your screen can save you hundreds of dollars, typically just a fraction of the cost of buying a new iPhone.

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First things first, let's see how bad the damage is. Look for surface cracks versus deep breaks. If there isn't any protruding glass, use your finger to check if the touchscreen is responsive. Finally, look for signs of internal damage like discolored or dead pixels.

Physical damage may cause vertical or horizontal lines across your iPhone's screen, and these lines can look different on OLED screens compared to LCDs. Newer iPhones are built with OLEDs, so these lines may appear differently.

To understand the type of screen damage on your iPhone, it's helpful to know that there are two types of display technologies: InCell digitizers and OnCell digitizers. InCell digitizers have touch sensors embedded within the display panel itself, making them thinner and more responsive, while OnCell digitizers have touch sensors placed on top of the display panel but integrated into the outer protective layer.

Dead or stuck pixels, image retention or burn-in, discoloration or irregular brightness, cracks or lines on the screen, and flickering or unresponsiveness are all common signs of damage to OLED displays. Some of these issues, like dead or stuck pixels, can be caused by physical damage, while others, like image retention or burn-in, are more related to prolonged display of static images.

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Here are some common signs of damage to OLED displays:

LCD and OLED displays can exhibit similar symptoms when damaged, but OLEDs may show image retention or burn-in, and uneven brightness or color shifts.

Choosing a Service Provider can be a daunting task, especially when you're dealing with a broken screen iPhone. You want to make sure you get the best repair option for your budget and needs. Apple Authorized Service Providers offer reliable service, but can be costly.

When weighing your repair options, consider the experience of the service provider. Apple phones are different from Android phones, so you want a service provider with experience working on iPhones and a track record of successful repairs.

You should also look for high-quality parts and a warranty that covers any issues that may arise after the repair. Anything can happen, and you want the service provider to offer assurance through warranty. If there are any issues, the warranty will come to your aid after the service provider completes the repair.

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To avoid low-quality work or parts, don't settle for significantly lower prices. Compare prices from various repair services and consider the cost of the repair. The cheapest option may not be the best value.

Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:

Mall Kiosks, for example, typically offer the lowest prices, but the lowest quality. The cheaper the service provider, the cheaper the part – and that's not always a good thing.

The iPhone repair process can be a bit mysterious, but I'm here to break it down for you. Generally, the whole process takes 30 minutes, but some professional repair shops may quote longer to allow for extra testing.

Your technician will start by assessing your iPhone to determine the extent of the damage and the type of iPhone you have. This is where they'll also provide a quote for the repair cost. The assessment is a crucial step to ensure the technician knows exactly what they're working with.

Here's a simplified overview of the steps involved in the iPhone screen repair process:

If you're lucky enough to have AppleCare+, you can get your iPhone screen repaired for free at an Apple Authorized service provider or Apple Store. However, if you're not under warranty, you may need to pay for the repair.

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If you have an AppleCare plan, you can use it to cover the cost of repairs, including screen repair, with a fee. This is a great option if you're not ready to pay the full price for a new device.

Using your AppleCare plan can also help you avoid the hassle of dealing with accidental damage from handling, which is covered under the plan. Your country or region may offer AppleCare for this product, so it's worth checking.

If you're unsure about the details of your AppleCare plan, you can learn more about it, even if you're in the United States. This way, you'll know exactly what's covered and what's not.

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Apple guarantees their service for 90 days or the remaining term of your Apple warranty or AppleCare plan, whichever is longer. This gives you peace of mind when it comes to the quality of the repair.

The replacement equipment provided by Apple may contain new or previously used genuine Apple parts that have been tested and pass Apple functional requirements. This ensures that you'll get a reliable and high-quality repair.

The iPhone repair process can be a bit mysterious, but it's actually pretty straightforward once you know what to expect. Your technician will assess the damage and determine the type of iPhone you have, which will help them provide a quote for the repair cost.

The repair process itself involves a few key steps. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect:

The whole process usually takes around 30 minutes, but some repair shops may quote longer to account for additional testing or unexpected issues.

If you're under warranty, you'll have a few options for getting your iPhone screen repaired. Here are the steps to follow:

Keep in mind that the repair time can vary depending on the iPhone model and your DIY experience. If you're repairing your iPhone screen yourself, it may take anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours.

The main difference between LCD and OLED screens lies in their technology and performance. OLED screens, like the ones found in the iPhone X and later models, offer a more premium display experience with better color accuracy and contrast.

OLED screens come in two types: "soft" and "hard". Soft OLED screens are more expensive, but they measure up closest to the original display specifications. Hard OLED screens, on the other hand, are more fragile due to their hard glass substrate, but they're also cheaper.

If you're looking to save money, you can consider replacing your OLED screen with an LCD multitouch display. This option is more economical, but it will result in a slightly darker and lower-resolution screen. You can save around $200 by choosing this option over Apple's repair service.

It's worth noting that if you're replacing a screen that's already an OLED, you might not notice a significant difference with an LCD screen. However, if you're looking for a premium display experience, an OLED screen is still the way to go.

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You can fix a broken iPhone screen yourself with a DIY repair kit. iFixit offers free step-by-step repair guides for every iPhone model and sells DIY Screen Fix Kits that include all the necessary tools and parts.

For most iPhone models, using an iFixit kit can save you hundreds of dollars compared to Apple's out-of-warranty repair costs. The average price of iFixit's Screen Fix Kits for older iPhone models is around $81, while newer models cost around $184.

If you're not comfortable with DIY repairs, you can still save money by having a reputable repair service provider like Gophermods fix your screen. They'll even send you a message to inquire about your repair service without needing an appointment.

You can find the cost of repairing your iPhone screen by looking at Apple's shared out-of-warranty repair estimates, which are listed in the table below.

Keep in mind that some iPhone models, like the iPhone 14 Pro, can be repaired for as little as $99.99 with an iFixit kit, while others, like the iPhone 15 Pro Max, may cost up to $506.99.

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