iphone lcd display repair price

Another repair option is having a third-party service provide fix your cracked iPhone. Third-party vendors, such as Staymobile in Columbia, South Carolina, may charge less and usually have a faster turnaround time. iPhixShop LLC iPhone & iPad Repair, Accessories says most repairs take less than 30 minutes. Mobile iPhone repair services will also travel to you for the repair, which can save you time.

The cost of screen repair or replacement depends on the model. Next Tech Solutions LLC in Stonington, Connecticut, can provide screen replacements and repairs service. They service iPhone models 5 through models X, iPad and other Android phones including Samsung and LG. You can check their fees below:

Use our “Get an Estimate” tool to review potential costs if you get service directly from Apple. The prices shown here are only for screen repair. If your iPhone needs other service, you’ll pay additional costs.

Your country or region offers AppleCare+ for this product. Screen repair (front) is eligible for coverage with a fee by using an incident of accidental damage from handling that comes with your AppleCare+ plan.

The Apple Limited Warranty covers your iPhone and the Apple-branded accessories that come in the box with your product against manufacturing issues for one year from the date you bought them. Apple-branded accessories purchased separately are covered by the Apple Limited Warranty for Accessories. This includes adapters, spare cables, wireless chargers, or cases.

Replacement equipment that Apple provides as part of the repair or replacement service may contain new or previously used genuine Apple parts that have been tested and pass Apple functional requirements.

The average costs for iPhone screen repair, glass repair, and LCD replacement average between $80 and $130 when you take it to a 3rd party repair shop. The Apple repair center starts at $129 for the iPhone 5 and 6, all the way up to $329 for the new iPhone XS Max.

The screen and LCD display are fused together, so it’s highly unlikely you can have the glass replaced without also replacing the LCD display as well. Below are costs from around the country for screen glass repairs and LCD replacement.

According to Apple, their “Limited Warranty for iPhone covers your iPhone for one year. Warranty service for eligible repairs is available at no charge for twelve months from the date of original retail purchase ("date of purchase").

If you bought your iPhone from anyone other than an authorized iPhone reseller or didn’t register your phone when you bought it, you may not be able to use the warranty on it, because Apple has no official record of the purchase date with your name in it.

The Apple support page says you might still be able to have Apple fix it through their Out-Of-Warranty (OOW) service—for things like screen burn or “an iPhone that has failed due to damage or liquid damage.

See Apple"s Repair Terms and Conditions for further details. Refer to this article to check if the Liquid Contact indicator on your product has been triggered.” To find where to bring your phone for OOW service options, call your local carrier and they can direct you to iPhone repair shops near you.

For Apple to repair your iPhone that"s out of warranty, prices start at $129 for older phones and go up to $329 for brand-new models. Before Apple repairs your screen, you’ll need to carry out their pre-service instructions so you can protect your information. It involves things like having your ID and proof of purchase ready and, if you’re mailing it in, erasing your device. Read more about that here.

In-store - The best part of having Apple repair your screen is that they have genuine Apple parts and all repairs are backed by Apple. It will probably be a same-day repair.

Be aware that if anyone other than Apple or an Apple service provider opens up your phone, any warranty or partial warranty you have will no longer apply. But if all your warranties have run out, a third-party service can be extremely helpful with prices that average $80 to $140 for screen repair.

Some will examine your phone for free to let you know exactly what’s broken and how much it will cost to repair. When you drop your phone, even though it might look like only the screen has cracked, there could be a lot more that’s damaged inside the phone—speakers, dock, batteries, screen, cameras, etc.

Some shops will give you a same-day repair service while others will take a day or two. Obviously, it depends on how much work your iPhone needs to be fully functional again.

This can be one of the easiest ways of repairing your screen, and you don’t even have to leave your house or work to do it. Custom Computer Experts in Sheffield Lake, OH, say, “If you can"t come to us, we can come to you for $99.99 plus parts or software. $25 travel fee will be included in the final invoice for travel of 25 miles or more.”

Some repair shops are better than others because they focus exclusively on Apple products and are able to buy repair parts in bulk. iHospital Fowler say they don’t “only repair devices but also upgrade these devices and offers a full range of accessories for them. ... It has trained all of its iHospital Doctors to focus on one family of products, Apple.”

If you are still sure you can stay alive and not damage the iPhone further by fixing it yourself, here’s how to do it.Watch YouTube videos on the process until you feel like you know what you’re about to do.

In summary, if your iPhone is in warranty and the screen needs to be repaired because of an internal problem, have Apple fix it. If it’s not in warranty, we recommend having a mobile iPhone repair technician meet you to do the work, as most of the repair options seem to cost about the same regardless of where you bring it, and the convenience of having them come to you is amazing.

Have a broken iPhone screen? Here are three iPhone screen repair options and how much each costs, plus a breakdown of whether you should fix it or sell it.

NOTE: If your iPhone is still under warranty, check with Apple to see if you can get your screen fixed for free. Here’s Apple’s warranty coverage checker.

You can replace your own iPhone screen with a little tech savvy and a bit of patience. The repair requires disassembly, however, so you shouldn’t attempt this fix if you’re not comfortable doing that.

Your best bet is to buy a complete screen assembly, which is a much easier repair than replacing just the front glass or digitizer. Expect to pay between $45 and $280 for a new iPhone screen, depending on your model, where you buy parts and whether you buy a standard LCD or premium OLED screen. Toolkits start at $5 if you don’t already have the necessary tools.

WARNING: This can be a difficult repair, especially if you aren’t experienced. Understand the risk of additional damage that could void any warranties and insurance policies.Rather buy a new iPhone? Save with these iPhone deals

You can find detailed step-by-step instructions on sites like iFixit and YouTube. Here are some example videos for the iPhone 12, iPhone 11 and iPhone X.

Don’t want to fix your own iPhone screen? You can opt for professional repair instead. Local repair shops can often replace your screen in a few hours, either in-store or at your location. Online mail-in repair services take longer, but they’re good options if you don’t have a local repair store.

Expect to pay between $119 and $520 for professional iPhone screen replacement, depending on your model and repair shop. Note that Apple’s own repair service tops out at $329 for out-of-warranty screen repair. Apple also uses OEM (original equipment manufacturer parts), while many repair shops use less expensive aftermarket parts.

Mail-in repair services like iFixYouri and My Broken Phone typically charge between $100 and $200, but they don’t always list pricing for every repair on their websites. Sometimes, it’s because they haven’t updated their service offering lately, especially if newer devices aren’t listed. Other times, they can make the repair, but it’s too uncommon to stock parts.

In some cases, the repair is difficult and likely to damage the device, so it’s not profitable for the company to offer it. Or, the required parts are so expensive it’s not worth fixing. Either way, if the repair you need isn’t listed on a repair shop’s website, it’s a good idea to contact them anyway to see if they offer it.

It’s a good idea to ask about warranties on parts and labor before you choose a repair company. You should also inquire about your service tech’s experience, credentials and quality of parts.Interested in a refurbished iPhone 12? See where to get it for less

Do you have iPhone insurance? If so, you can file a claim directly with your insurance company, who might offer a choice between mail-in, in-store or on-location repair services. Some companies will overnight a refurbished replacement iPhone rather than repair and return yours.

Expect to pay a deductible ranging between $29 and $149, depending on your model and insurance company. Here are some example iPhone screen repair deductibles.InsureriPhone Screen Replacement Deductible

Should you fix your iPhone screen or sell it broken? You can base your decision on how much your iPhone is worth broken versus repaired, especially if you plan to upgrade soon.

For example, at the time of this writing, an iPhone X 64GB on the Verizon network was worth $255 in good condition. Here’s a breakdown of its net value after different repair options.

Next, compare the net value after repair to what your iPhone is worth in broken condition. At the time of this writing, a broken iPhone X 64GB on the Verizon network was worth $110.

As the table shows, our example iPhone will have significantly more value if you repair it yourself or file an insurance claim through AppleCare+ or Verizon.

However, SquareTrade insurance leaves a net value of $4 less than the phone is worth broken, while out-of-warranty Apple repair leaves a net value of $134 less, which means you’d lose money by going with those repair options.

The independent repair shop option leaves a net value of just $26 more than selling it broken, which might make you question whether repair is worth the hassle.

Of course, your decision depends not only on the value, but also how long you plan to keep your iPhone. If you intend to hold on to it for a few years, it’s cheaper to repair it than to buy a new iPhone.

If you plan to upgrade soon and trade in your old phone, however, it’s worth comparing your options to see whether you’ll get more value after repair or selling it as-is.

Breaking an iPhone screen is never a fun experience. While nearly every electronics repair store will help you fix your iPhone, the job isn’t free, and you could walk out with a much lighter wallet. So, here are all your repair options, plus the prices you can expect to pay for an iPhone screen replacement.

I’ll get one thing out of the way right now; Apple has a stranglehold on iPhone repairs. You don’t need to visit an Apple store to replace an iPhone screen, but the company goes out of its way to make other options less appealing. So, buckle up for a bit of disappointment.

For whatever reason, Apple is very good at marketing its repair service. Everyone knows that they can walk into an Apple Store, drop off their broken device, and (usually) pick it back up within 24 hours.

You can even mail an iPhone to Apple for repair! Of course, snail mail is rarely necessary, because Apple offers its repair service through select “Authorized Apple Service Providers” like Best Buy. These “authorized” providers follow the same repair process as Apple, so you can receive quality service even when you don’t live near an Apple Store.

But Apple overcharges for repairs. If you don’t have an AppleCare+ subscription, you can expect to pay several hundred dollars for a screen replacement.

With an AppleCare+ subscription, these repairs cost just $29. I strongly suggest paying for AppleCare+ (which is between $3.99 and $13.49 a month) if you’re super clumsy or if you’re buying an iPhone for a child.

Bear in mind that these prices apply to all Authorized Apple Service Providers. If you wander into a Best Buy looking for a screen replacement, you’ll pay the same price that Apple charges at its stores. The benefit, of course, is that Best Buy and other authorized locations follow the same repair process as Apple’s “Genius Bar.”

One last note—some carriers, including Verizon, are happy to take broken phones for trade-in. Swapping your busted iPhone for a new device may be more cost-effective than paying for repairs at an Apple Store, especially if you own a newer model of iPhone.

If you’re just looking for a screen replacement, you can save money by avoiding “authorized” service centers. Third-party repair stores charge very little for screen replacements, as their prices aren’t dictated by Apple.

Every small business is different, so I can’t tell you what your neighborhood repair shop charges for an iPhone screen replacement. That said, their prices are lower than Apple’s, often by $100 or more. And because small repair shops like to build relationships with their community, they’re often willing to cut deals with first-time or repeat customers.

Unfortunately, only Authorized Apple Service Providers can order official iPhone parts. Some independent shops salvage official parts from other iPhones, but still, there’s a decent chance you’ll end up with an unofficial replacement screen. (Which isn’t a big deal for older iPhones, but unofficial screens for newer iPhones are much less durable than the “real thing.”)

Apple also likes to restrict some repairs at a software level. Performing certain repairs without Apple’s calibration tools (which independent stores can’t access) will actually disable features like Face ID. But this is only a problem with brand spankin’ new iPhone models—historically, Apple lifts screen repair restrictions a few months after each iPhone’s release. (You can now replace the iPhone 13’s display without consequence, for example.)

You can’t save money without putting in the work. Replacing your iPhone screen at home is usually cheaper than visiting an Apple store or an independent repair shop. And yeah, there are a ton of resources to help you get the job done.

The best resource, in my opinion, is iFixit. The gang at iFixit regularly publishes repair guides and sells replacement parts for popular products. You can even buy one of iFixit’s screen replacement bundles, which includes all the parts and tools you need to fix your iPhone’s broken screen.

But Apple doesn’t sell official parts to iFixit. So, you’re stuck using third-party materials. It’s a frustrating situation, as the only “official” at-home repair option is Apple’s Self Service Repair program, which stinks.

Unless you’re looking for a novelty, I suggest that you avoid Apple’s Self Service Repair program. It’s a great idea on the surface (official parts, repair guides, and calibration tools), but it only costs a few dollars less than a visit to the Apple Store. (Apple also sends out these massive Pelican cases for Self Service Repair orders, which is completely over the top and not very useful to customers.)

So, if you want to replace your iPhone’s screen at home, iFixit is still your best option. Just keep in mind that iFixit kits for newer iPhones are still a bit expensive, and in some cases, they may be more expensive than a visit to an independent repair shop.

We’re not going to pretend that shattering your iPhone screen is any fun (and if we did, would you believe us anyway?). It can be a costly and time-consuming ordeal, especially if you’re going into it without prior knowledge of what you’ll be dealing with.

The good news is, there are ways to minimize your loss of time and hard-earned cash, if you know where to look. Read on for a breakdown of all the different cost elements. We’ll show you in detail how much an iPhone screen repair will set you back.

According to the Apple website, you can repair a shattered iPhone screen twice in a 24-month period under AppleCare+ coverage at a cost of $29 each time. However, to calculate the actual cost of the iPhone screen repair, you must add in the price of the AppleCare+ plan, as well. That comes down to which model phone you have:

Add the $29 deductible to each of those, and to fix an iPhone screen it will cost anywhere from $227 for the iPhones 7 or 8, to $298 for an 11 Pro, Pro Max, XS, or XS Max.

While breaking your phone a second time within the 24-month coverage period will bring the average cost of a repair down, we don’t recommend it for obvious reasons. However, if you’re curious, that would put the cost of each repair somewhere between $128.50 and $163.50.

You can sign up for AppleCare+ for up to 60 days after you initially buy the device, but the coverage doesn’t start when you decide to buy the AppleCare+ insurance policy. Even if you buy AppleCare+ at a later time, you’re only insured for 24 months from the day you bought your iPhone. For that reason, if you know you’re going to want it, then it makes sense to tack it on at the time of purchase.

The other option is to finance your phone through the iPhone Upgrade Program. This program, if you haven’t heard of it before, allows you to pay for your phone monthly through Apple. At the end of the 12 month period, you’ll be eligible to upgrade to the latest iPhone model. AppleCare+ comes included with the monthly price, so if you’re prone to breaking iPhones or you like upgrading to the latest and greatest the minute it comes out, this could be the perfect solution for you.

Because Apple knows that not everyone lives within a reasonable distance of an Apple Store, if you can’t manage to secure onsite repairs you can drop your phone off at a UPS Store or order shipping materials and send it via the Post Office, and you don’t have to pay for shipping both ways. You’ll be without your iPhone for a while, but at least you won’t have to shell out another few bucks to send it out.

And while AppleCare+ does cover more than just a broken iPhone screen, it pays to bear in mind that the iPhone comes with a comprehensive warranty that covers manufacturer’s defects for a year, so if anything goes wrong that isn’t your fault, Apple will cover it anyway.

If you don’t buy AppleCare+ the price for a one time screen repair isn’t staggeringly more expensive. In fact, depending on which iPhone model you have, you may save quite a bit. Here’s a price list of how much it costs to replace an iPhone screen with Apple, by iPhone model:

As you can see, if you plan on using AppleCare+ for more than just screen repair, or if you plan on breaking your screen multiple times, it may be worth it. But when it comes to one-time screen repairs, it almost always pays to just go out of pocket.

With prices starting at just $79 for an iPhone 6 screen repair, or $99 for an iPhone 8 screen repair, it’s pretty clear to see how much you can save – even with a shattered screen. Not only that, but instead of waiting in line, we come to you.

With our up-front pricing plan, you can see our fair and competitive prices for yourself – there are no hidden fees and all repairs include our free lifetime guarantee on parts and service (and a one-year guarantee on batteries).

Another repair option is having a third-party service provide fix your cracked iPhone. Third-party vendors, such as Staymobile in Columbia, South Carolina, may charge less and usually have a faster turnaround time. iPhixShop LLC iPhone & iPad Repair, Accessories says most repairs take less than 30 minutes. Mobile iPhone repair services will also travel to you for the repair, which can save you time.

The cost of screen repair or replacement depends on the model. Next Tech Solutions LLC in Stonington, Connecticut, can provide screen replacements and repairs service. They service iPhone models 5 through models X, iPad and other Android phones including Samsung and LG. You can check their fees below:

iPhone Screen Repair Cost Starting From $39 Manhattan Midtown Location. If You Wondering How Much to Repair iPhone Screen ? This is Right Page For You !

We are Specialized in Cracked iPhone Screen Replacement, iPhone Back Glass Replacement Broken glass repair, Battery replacement, Charging Port Repair, Water Damage repair and free diagnostic

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If your iPhone X is not responding to your touch, has shattered front glass, or has abnormal black or white spotting, the screen is most likely broken. Don’t worry though, an iPhone X screen replacement is a quick and easy repair if done by a professional.

An iPhone X not responding to your touch is a sign of a broken LCD screen. The LCD is in charge of your display and touch capability. This part can be repaired with a quick and easy screen replacement.

The starting price for an iPhone X screen repair is around $299. This price could vary depending on the damage to the device and part availability. Visit your local repair professional for a diagnostic and a repair quote.

A flickering iPhone X screen is typically a sign of a malfunctioning LCD screen. Other indicators are touch unresponsiveness and dark spots on your screen. To regain functionality, your phone needs a screen replacement from a local repair professional.

A blacked out iPhone X screen is usually the result of screen damage. Take your device to a local repair professional for a diagnostic to assess the damage and to find out how much it will cost to fix the device.

An iPhone X with an unresponsive or malfunctioning screen will typically need a screen replacement from a repair professional to get back to normal. To determine your repair options and to get a price quote, contact your local professionals.

Apple Care has tiers of service, and the tier you pay for determines how much coverage you receive. Some tiers do not cover accidental damage. Call Apple Care or visit your local repair professional to get an accurate price quote.

An iPhone 7 screen is divided into two parts: the LCD and the glass. If your LCD is broken you might see large patches of dead pixels, flickering images, or experience a lack of touch responsiveness. If the glass is broken, you will see large cracks but the screen may still respond to touch.

The LCD screen of the iPhone 7 is responsible for your device responding to your touch correctly. If your phone is not responding, it is likely that you need a LCD repair or replacement.

On average, it costs around $95 to repair the screen of an iPhone 7. For a more accurate quote, bring your device to a repair professional so they can evaluate the device’s condition.

Fixing a cracked iPhone 7 screen is a quick and easy process for a repair professional. If the LCD is intact, a technician only has to remove it and replace the cracked screen with a new one.

A blacked out iPhone 7 screen that will not respond to touch is usually an indication of a broken LCD screen. Bring your iPhone to a repair professional and ask for a screen replacement to fix this issue.

A black and white iPhone 7 screen that is not functioning correctly is probably suffering from a broken LCD screen. The LCD is the component that controls the image we see and also the device’s touch sensitivity. A repair professional can replace the screen and get the screen working again.

Apple Care has several tiers and not all of them include accidental damage. If Apple Care will not replace the screen of your iPhone, bring it to a repair professional.

iPhone screen repair: 13 Pro Max, 13 Pro, 13 Mini, 13, 12 Pro Max, 12 Pro, 12 Mini, 12, 11 Pro Max, 11 Pro, 11, XS Max, XS, XR, X, SE Gen 2, 8/Plus, 7/Plus/SE, 6/Plus/s, 5/s/c!

People have told us that our prices are way lower than the Apple Store! An iPhone X screen replacement is $80 less with Smart Tech than the Apple Store. We use the same quality screens and do the repair in 15 minutes instead of hours or days. Same warranty and same quality without the hassle.

Some of our customers have told us that they received a quote from their insurance that was significantly higher than our price. With insurance, you also have to back up your phone, wait days for a phone to be shipped to you, and be out of a phone for 3-5 days in some cases. Insurance companies use the lowest-quality refurbished parts that will not work the same and will break easier. This puts you in a position to spend even more money and have more hassle down the road. Smart Tech uses better parts, comes to you and fixes your phone in 15 minutes! Same-day immediate service is available. It"s really a no-brainer that Smart Tech is your BEST option for any and all iPhone repairs.

Smart Tech iPhone Repair fixes your broken screen in 15 minutes. With Smart Tech, there’s no waiting in a crowded store—we come to you, wherever you want, whenever you want.

Going to the Apple store to get your iPhone repaired isn’t fun. The lines are long. Customer service representatives are always busy with someone else. Diagnosing the full extent of your phone’s problems takes longer than it should. And the Apple Geniuses never tell you what you want to hear when you finally do get the full diagnostic back.

Smart Tech drives to wherever is most convenient for you—work, home, Starbucks, McDonald"s, sporting events, etc—so you don"t have to worry about missing any of your work meetings, kids" games, or even just have to waste time waiting. Whistle while you work, and we"ll whistle while we fix your cracked or broken iPhone screen.

People in the Milwaukee area who broke their phones used to have three options: live with it, get a new iPhone, or drive to a brick-and-mortar shop to get their cracked screen replaced. Not anymore. Now, you can call Smart Tech, THE ONLY iPhone REPAIR COMPANY IN MILWAUKEE THAT DRIVES TO THE LOCATION OF YOUR CHOOSING TO MAKE REPAIRS MORE CONVENIENT FOR YOU, THE CUSTOMER.

When you choose Smart Tech as the company to replace your iPhone screen, you"re getting quality replacement parts. Places like tech shops and mall kiosk stations have bigger profit margins on their screen replacements because they use cheap materials, off-brand Chinese imitations.

People often show us their iPhones after going to these places, and what we see is baffling. They have rubber bands holding their screen to the phone because, after only a few weeks, the screen has peeled off. That"s what happens when you use an inferior repair service. If it doesn"t peel off, it doesn"t work as well. Bad touch. Bad color. Break easier. The works.

Now, you can call Smart Tech, the anywhere iPhone repair people. Our iPhone screen repair services are superior to other companies in Milwaukee for a few reasons:

WE ONLY WORK ON iPHONES. If you needed heart surgery, would you go to a surgeon who works on all body parts? Or would you go to a cardiovascular surgeon? Don"t go to a phone repair shop that fixes Samsung, Motorola, Nokia, HTC, Sony, LG, Blackberry AND iPhones. Smart Tech is your best option for iPhone repairs in the Milwaukee area. Stay right where you are. WE COME TO YOU.

We are grateful for your business. We think highly enough of you and your time to bring the service to you. Tell us when and where it’s convenient for us to meet you, and we’ll be there. The quality of our service reflects how much we appreciate you choosing Smart Tech as your anywhere iPhone repair people.

Do you think a "Jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none" store that also repairs iPhones can possibly be qualified to do acceptable work on your iPhone? We know it takes a specialist to repair iPhones the right way. iPhones are different than every other phone, and if the repair isn"t done properly, you will have issues. We see this with a lot of phones worked on by the big chain stores and

Screen doesn"t always respond or work the same (almost all of the other companies fixing iPhones in the area use low-quality, non-Apple parts—we use OEM high-quality parts)

Apple surprised us last year when it announced a new self-service repair program to allow iPhone owners to replace their own broken screens, aging batteries, and other key components.

That program finally launched last month, although, at this point, it’s limited to the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 families. Nevertheless, if you’re thinking that this may finally let you fix your own screen, you might want to take a closer look at the various other service options available. Apple’s new Self Service Repair program isn’t for the faint of either heart or wallet.

The cost is more reasonable for older iPhone models, especially those without OLED screens. For instance, while an iPhone 11 Pro screen replacement will set you back the same $279 as the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro, you can get the LCD-equipped iPhone 11 screen replaced for only $199. Set the Wayback Machine to an iPhone 5S or an iPhone 6, and it drops to $129.

Note that this assumes your screen is the only thing that’s damaged on your iPhone. You’ll pay more if there’s anything else wrong. Apple calls these “out-of-warranty prices,” but except in very rare cases, a damaged screen is never covered by a manufacturer’s warranty, so if you’re walking into an Apple Store, expect to pay. Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASPs) usually follow Apple’s repair pricing, but they aren’t bound by it, so they’re free to charge different rates.

At these prices, you might think Apple’s self-service repair program is a breath of fresh air. After all, shouldn’t it be cheaper to repair your iPhone screen on your own? You’d think so, but in a perhaps misguided desire to ensure that you have everything you need to do the job properly, Apple is making the process nearly as expensive and considerably more cumbersome than visiting your local Apple Store or AASP.

For one thing, genuine Apple parts don’t come cheap. An iPhone 12 Pro display bundle, which gives you a replacement screen and all of the pieces that go with it, costs $270 upfront. That’s only $10 less than having Apple repair it for you, although you will get a $33.60 credit after returning your old display to Apple. This still brings the out-of-pocket cost to $236.35.

A total savings of $42.65 isn’t too bad if you’re already a keen do-it-yourselfer. Still, even then, you’ll probably want to avail yourself of Apple’s repair toolkit, which the company is happy to rent to you for an extra $49 per week — plus a deposit held on your credit card for the replacement cost of the tools.

This kit comes in two separate cases, collectively weighing 79 pounds and measuring 20 inches wide by 47 inches high when stacked. They’re also specific to each iPhone model, so you won’t be able to use the same kit to repair additional phones for friends or family members unless they all happen to be using the same iPhone.

It’s almost as if Apple doesn’t really want you to repair your own iPhone, but what could possibly be its motivation for that? It’s not like it hasn’t spent years lobbying against people’s right to repair their own devices. Apple’s stated rationale for this has always been that it doesn’t want its customers to hurt themselves by trying to fix their own iPhones without the proper tools and “Genuine Apple Parts.” Apple’s new Self Service Repair Program provides both, but in doing so, it also looks like the company wants to tacitly make a case for why its repair services are so expensive.

However, AASPs generally have stringent requirements they must follow to be approved by Apple. This not only includes regular training and certifications for repair technicians ,but even things like laying out their business in a way that’s “consistent with the Apple brand.” All this drives up their costs.

In 2019, Apple introduced a new program for Independent Repair Providers (IRPs), offering a way for smaller repair shops to get their hands on genuine Apple parts without jumping through the hoops required to become a full AASP. While the Independent Repair Provider Program has been described as somewhat onerous — Apple still reserves the right to conduct surprise inspections, for instance — the lower barrier to entry allows many small businesses or even independent technicians to offer out-of-warranty Apple repairs, bringing the costs of these repairs down.

Unfortunately, these IRPs pay the same prices for genuine Apple parts and the necessary tools that AASPs do, and it’s not much less than what Apple charges in its Self-Service Repair Store. A survey of about a dozen IRPs across the U.S. revealed iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 screen repair pricing in the $230 to $300 range. Yes, some IRPs are charging more than Apple, most often those located in areas far from an Apple Store or AASP.

Some of the IRPs I’ve spoken with since Apple introduced the program have told me that it’s not worth it from a profitability point of view. Many have only remained in the program hoping to use iPhone repairs as a “loss leader” to bring in new customers.

You can shave quite a bit off your repair costs if you’re willing to seek out an unauthorized repair shop that’s not part of one of Apple’s repair programs, but you’ll also be doing so at your own risk. Apple isn’t lying when it says that genuine Apple parts work better for screen and battery replacements, but it is being slightly disingenuous. While there are dangers to using substandard parts, not all unauthorized parts fit into this category.

For one thing, many repair shops will salvage screens and batteries from iPhones that are otherwise unserviceable. Despite being used, these are still genuine Apple parts, and there’s no reason they can’t be repurposed to repair another iPhone as long as the shop is honest about it. There are networks of repair shops that work together to take advantage of trading in these types of replacement parts.

Apple’s repair costs have also created a significant gray market for genuine iPhone screens and batteries. In these cases, the parts are legitimate, but the sources of the parts aren’t. These methods, along with using parts legitimately manufactured by third parties, allow unauthorized repair shops to offer screen replacement prices significantly below those found in the AASP and IRP market. In my research, I encountered iPhone 12 screen replacements offered for as little as $120, although the median price from more reputable repair shops hovered closer to the $200 mark.

Unfortunately, to try and prevent this dealing in gray market and used parts, Apple has made it progressively more difficult each year to use “non-genuine” parts. Replacing a battery, screen, or camera system on recent iPhone models requires the service technician to pair the new component. If that’s not done, the iPhone will regularly alert you that it’s “unable to verify this iPhone has a genuine Apple part” and may even cause features like Face ID to fail entirely.

These high repair costs make a good case for buying AppleCare+ for your new iPhone. That will cover you for two incidents of accidental damage every 12 months for a deductible of only $29 per incident for a screen replacement or $99 for other types of damage.

Two years of AppleCare+ costs $199 for the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro models (and their “Max” counterparts), or $149 for the iPhone 11, iPhone 12, or iPhone 13. Compared to the screen replacement costs, which start at $279 for an iPhone 12 Pro or $229 for an iPhone 12 mini, it’s easy to see how AppleCare+ is a bargain if you break your screen even once.

Of course, like most insurance plans, unless you’re accident-prone, you’re mostly paying for peace of mind here. Apple is hoping that you don’t break your screen while you’re betting that you will break it at least once during the life of your iPhone. However, AppleCare+ isn’t the only option. Most carriers offer protection plans for an additional monthly fee on your regular bill, most of which will let you take your iPhone to an Apple Store for the same level of service you’d get with AppleCare+.

There are also independent insurance programs like Allstate’s Squaretrade that may offer better options for your individual needs. For instance, some charge a fixed deductible regardless of the type of repair; these usually work out higher for screen replacements, but can save you money for other types of damage. They may also offer a higher number of incidents or different types of coverage. So, it’s worth shopping around to see what’s available. Repairs under these programs are still conducted by an Apple Store or Authorized Apple Service Provider; either the company has an AASP it deals with, or it reimburses you directly for the cost of the out-of-warranty repairs.

What’s the takeaway here? If you break the screen on your iPhone, you’ll probably wish you had AppleCare+ or a similar extended warranty. What you may not want to do is try to repair it yourself unless you’re very handy with some rented spanners.