iPhone Screen Repair: How Much Does It Cost?

Over the past decade, Apple products have become some of the most used devices by entrepreneurs and consumers alike. In fact, it's not uncommon to walk through a public area and find that most people have iPhones.

Unfortunately, though, people drop their phones and break their screens fairly often. While they're not impossible to fix, not everyone knows how much they should expect to pay.

Not sure where to start? Don't worry, we’ve got you covered.

Let's take a look at everything you need to know about iPhone screen repair cost.

So... How Much Does It Cost?

How much you can expect to pay to repair your phone's screen will heavily depend on how badly you've damaged it. In some cases, you'll be able to get away with minor repairs to the broken screen.

Other times, though, you'll need to replace the screen entirely. Additionally, there are other things to keep in mind to help you figure out the price.

Let's dive into the factors that can influence what it'll cost you.

Apple Repair Vs. Third-Party Repair

For those who have Apple Care for their device, the cost of fixing the phone's screen is relatively low (often around $49). But, this type of coverage involves either a monthly or up-front payment that will often exceed the cost of fixing your screen if you're careful.

Additionally, this coverage often only lasts for approximately two years. Afterward, the cost to repair a damaged screen increases dramatically.

On average, third-party repair services charge less than Apple when considering both people who do and don't have coverage. They also often take less time to complete the repairs (and may even come to your location to do so).

The drawback here, though, is that there are some companies that use low-quality glass when replacing screens. As you may expect, this will lead to even minor drops causing damage to the replacement screen.

If the glass is low enough quality, even damage to the back of your iPhone could result in damage to the screen.

The Type of iPhone

As you may expect, the type of iPhone that you have will greatly influence the cost to repair it. In general, newer phones will be more expensive to fix than iPhones of older generations.

While this is partly due to newer phones having larger screens, there is a discrepancy in screen quality between early and contemporary devices. In fact, it's not unlikely for an iPhone X or iPhone 11 screen to cost four or five times as much to replace as the screen of an iPhone 5.

While the following prices aren't definitive, you can expect to pay somewhere around these prices for screen replacement by third-party servicer's:

  • iPhone 5/5S: $70/$80
  • iPhone 6/Plus: $80/$100
  • iPhone 7/Plus: $90/$120
  • iPhone 8/Plus: $120/$140
  • iPhone X/XR: $270/$280
  • iPhone 11/11 Pro: $280/$300

As you can see, those who have newer iPhones will want to be extra careful with their device due to the high cost of fixing the screen. But, the cost won't always be this high.

Lesser damage will result in lower costs. So, the price will be highly variable depending on whether you need...

Screen Repair or Screen Replacement

It can be tempting to continue using an iPhone that has a cracked screen. Eventually, though, the damage will catch up with you.

It's not uncommon for the device's touchscreen functionality to work incorrectly if the screen has been damaged badly enough. In some cases, you may also run the risk of getting shards of glass in your fingers while using the device.

Minor cracks, though, can often be repaired with little issue and will cost a fraction of what an entire screen will.

Additional Repairs

Sometimes, the damage to an iPhone is serious enough to cause issues with the liquid-crystal display (LCD) or digitizer. In many cases, this type of damage will prevent the touchscreen or display from working in the affected areas.

These repairs are more involved than a simple screen replacement and will cost extra for the parts/labor. Unfortunately, the necessary materials for these repairs often run in the hundreds of dollars when it comes to cost.

What's The Cost of a Worst-Case Scenario Break?

A newer model iPhone with a completely destroyed screen and damage to the LCD and digitizer will likely cost $500+ to repair. Fortunately, though, this type of damage is very uncommon and often results from things like dropping the phone from a balcony, throwing it, etc.

At this point, you're likely better off getting a new phone entirely.

What If I Want to Repair My Phone Myself?

In order to do so, you'd need the appropriate tools and materials to complete the repair. These are available online, but there are two issues to consider:

  • While you save money on parts, you'll have to figure out the process on your own
  • Inexperienced individuals may find themselves causing further damage (or destroying) their iPhone during the process.

So, although it's a possibility, it's not recommended that you attempt to repair your phone on your own. Instead, a reputable iPhone repair service will save you both time and money.

Dealing With iPhone Screen Repair Cost Can Seem Difficult

But it doesn't have to be.

With the above information about iPhone screen repair cost in mind, you'll be well on your way to making sure that budget for the appropriate amount.

Want to learn more about how we can help? Feel free to get in touch with us today to see what we can do.