Whether the phone is damaged or malfunctioning it can be quite frustrating making you wonder if it’s worth repairing your phone. Is it better to repair a phone, or is it better to replace it? Below, we’ll explore some of the key factors to consider when determining whether or not to repair your phone, including age, condition, and cost.
Deciding whether to repair or replace a damaged phone can be a difficult decision. Below are some factors to consider when making this decision:
- Cost of repair: Compare the cost of repair to the cost of a new phone. If the cost of repair is significantly less than the cost of a new phone, it may be worth fixing.
- Age of your phone: If your phone is relatively new, it may be worth repairing. However, if your phone is older it may be more cost-effective to replace it.
- Severity of damage: If your device has only minor damage, such as a cracked screen or a bad battery, it may be worth repairing.
Cost to Repair vs Replacing Your Phone?
Determining whether to repair or replace your phone comes down to the cost of repair versus buying a replacement. An easy rule to remember: If repairing your phone costs more than buying a replacement device you may want to consider replacing it.
The cost of repairing a cracked screen can range from $100 to $300, depending on the model of your phone. However, you may be able to find a refurbished or used phone with a similar cost to the repair. For example, the screen repair for a Samsung Note 10 Plus is $297 at uBreakiFix, but a used unit on Swappa is $243. In this case, it doesn’t make financial sense to repair the screen on the Note 10 Plus. The only exception would be if you need to repair the phone in order to retrieve your personal data from it.
In some cases, it may be more cost-effective to repair your phone rather than buy a new one. For example, the iPhone 13 Pro Max costs $329 to repair the screen at Apple, but a similar used unit on Swappa starts at nearly $660.
It’s always a good idea to compare the cost of repairing your broken phone to the current price of a used model in good condition. This will help determine whether it’s worth repairing your phone or if you should consider buying a new one instead.
How Old is Your Phone?
Additionally, you should take the age of your phone into consideration when deciding if it’s worth repairing. If your cell phone is several years old it might be best to replace it instead of repairing it. On the other hand, if your phone is fairly new you should consider repairing it. We’ve found that devices over 3 years old tend to start lagging and experiencing issues.
Is Your Phone Under Warranty or Insurance?
If your phone is having issues you’ll want to check if it’s still under warranty. If it is, you may be able to get it repaired or replaced free of charge if it’s a manufacturer defect. Getting your phone warrantied with Apple is easy by scheduling a Genius Bar appointment. To ensure a smooth process, it’s helpful to know what to expect and how to prepare for your appointment.
Furthermore, if your device has insurance, you may want to consider repairing it as this is usually a low-cost option. Most deductibles for an insurance claim are fairly affordable.
When to Repair Your Phone?
There are several situations in which it is worth repairing your phone.
Front or back glass is cracked:
If your phone’s front or back glass is cracked, it may be a good idea to repair your device instead of replacing it. The front screen repair ranges from $129 to $329 depending on your model and screen quality type. If you’re not sure whether to opt for an original or aftermarket screen you can read our in-depth guide on the difference between original and aftermarket iPhone screens. The back glass repair on the other hand is usually around $100 to $150. On their own, these are fairly affordable repairs. However, if both the front and back glass is damaged it may be better to replace your device altogether as the repair may quickly become expensive.
Your Battery Dies Quickly:
If your battery drains quickly after charging or your phone is slow, a simple battery replacement may be the fix. Battery replacements are fairly affordable ranging between $50 and $80 depending on the model.
Charging Port is having issues:
When your charging port is glitchy or not functional it is a good idea to have it repaired. Most charging port repairs are fairly affordable and a great option before deciding to replace your device. Additionally, in some cases, charge ports only need to be cleaned from debris. Over time lint and other debris can clog your charging port causing connectivity issues.
When to replace your phone?
Here are several scenarios in which it’s not worth repairing your phone and replacing your device is the best course of action.
Your Phone is Heavily Damaged:
Though we always recommend getting your phone repaired, in some scenarios it’s best to replace your device. If your device has extensive damage or has multiple issues.
Consider replacing your phone when:
- Your phone got run over by a car.
- Your device is severely bent.
- Your cell phone has multiple issues.
Your Phone isn’t Compatible with the Newest Software Updates:
Older cell phones may not be compatible with the newest software updates which means your phone will slowly become obsolete or even stop functioning. This is definitely a time to replace your phone instead of attempting to repair it.
Your Phone is Water Damaged:
If you’ve dropped your phone into liquid and it’s experiencing water damage symptoms, it may be time to just replace your device instead of repairing it. Though repair is possible, it’s “often difficult to get these devices fully functional and have them be reliable.”