How Much Does It Cost to Replace A Phone Screen in 2024?

From luxury accessory to an everyday essential now, smartphones have woven themselves into the fabric of our lives. Yet, as we treat these indispensable devices without much concern, we overlook their vulnerabilities, particularly their screens.

According to telecommunications statistics, out of all damages caused to the smartphone screen related issues are the most prevalent, coming in at 56% of all repairs.

Even if you have taken all the precautions, and placed the best screen protectors or cases on your smartphone, the display is still susceptible to damage. So, how much does it cost to replace a phone screen in 2023, and what factors affect these costs?

Factors affecting screen replacement cost

Let’s take a look at everything that contributes towards the total expense of a screen replacement and explore some alternative options for fixing your phone. This will help you make an informed decision on how to get your smartphone back in working order without spending too much.

Screen Type 

A major factor affecting the price of screen replacement is the type of screen that has been damaged. Certain screens are more expensive to replace than others. Originally, smartphones were developed with LCD (Liquid Crystal Diode) screens which used a backlight for pixel illumination.

Examples of smartphones with LCD screens are older iPhone models and the HTC Sensation. This screen is less expensive to replace, costing as low as $60. Entry-level smartphones use LCDs to this day to cut costs.

Higher up in the echelon are OLED screens, which are basically the gold-standard when it comes to displays all around. There is proprietary display tech such as LG’s NanoCell that exists to fill in the gap between a traditional LED screen and the expensive OLEDs, but these are limited to TVs.

OLED screens are flexible, lightweight, with better contrast and colors. They work by emitting their own light organically, so all the pixels in an OLED are self-lit and independent of each other, eliminating the need for a backlight.

The difference in price points between LCD and OLED using smartphones is clearly reflected in the costs of their screen repair. According to Apple’s website, the cost of screen repair for the iPhone X is $279 compared to the iPhone 11 which is $199. Although the iPhone 11 is a part of the next generation, its screen is $80 cheaper to replace than its predecessor. This is likely due to Apple using OLED displays for the iPhone X and LCD for the iPhone 11.

Since Apple’s adoption of OLED screens for the iPhone X launched in 2017, all flagship phones of other companies have also shifted to OLED. Although OLED screens have many benefits, it is much more expensive to replace, with screen replacement prices sometimes matching the cost of the phone. 

Screen Damage Severity

Another major factor affecting screen replacement costs is the severity of damage the phone screen has incurred. Contrary to what it seems, phone screens are not just simple glass illuminated from beneath. Modern phone screens are made of a variety of different layers, each more complex than the last. 

A phone screen is typically made of four layers: The top glass layer, the middle gas layer, the third electrical layer, and the final adhesive glass layer. The cost of screen replacement will depend on the depth of damage caused. If there has been only a slight impact resulting in a cracked screen, you may have only broken the topmost glass layer of your phone screen. This is a cheaper fix costing between $20 and $50 as all the electrical wiring will still be intact. 

If there are other issues in addition to a cracked screen, then you may have a deeper issue at hand. Discolored spots, blurred screen sections, lack of touch sensitivity, and full black screen are all signs of a broken LCD. Costing upwards of $300, this is most expensive to repair as it usually requires the entire screen to be replaced.  

Smartphone Brand

Every company has its own set of protocols when it comes to developing products, and smartphone companies are no different. Depending on the vendor that has manufactured your smartphone, the price of screen replacement will vary. Some of the most expensive screen replacements are of newer generation phones released by famous companies such as Apple and Samsung.

Average iPhone Screen Repair Costs

The iPhone is notorious for its high costs and expensive repairs. The newer the phone model, the greater the bill for a new screen. The following table depicts estimated screen replacement costs directly from Apple.

As you can see, the price range for screen repair costs from Apple range between $149 to $379 with newer models being the most expensive to repair. For newer models, this comes in at over a third of the cost of buying a brand new phone.

Average Samsung Phone Screen Replacement Costs

Samsung phones are also not cheap to repair, especially if the model is new and expensive. However, the range of repair is not as limited as Apple, with separate costs listed for inner and outer screen replacement. Third party companies also offer repair services for Samsung phones, but they are not usually cost effective, with charges amounting to what the phone itself may sell for as a whole.

The following table depicts average screen module replacement costs. This is a service provided directly from Samsung and includes replacement of the phone’s screen, bezel (the metal frame) and battery.

Samsung also offers another service for just screen repair, where only the front screen is replaced. This service may cost up to $100 less than entire screen replacement, but it does not cover any deep screen damage.

Smartphone Model and Age

Another factor that affects price is model and series the smartphone belongs to. Older smartphones are generally smaller in size and developed with older technology. This makes their repair costs less as well. With time, companies develop new and improved features using novel technology.

The manufacturing of such features is often expensive, which subsequently affects repair prices as well. Examples of expensive screen enhancements introduce in recent years are curved displays, flip smartphones, and Gorilla Glass protection.

The size of the average smartphone is another feature that has evolved as a whole. Launched in 2007, the iPhone is widely considered to be the pioneer of the smartphone as we know it, The first iPhone featured a screen size measuring 3.5 inches. Since then, the size of smartphones has only increased, ranging from 6.2 to 7 inches in screen size today. Naturally, the larger the screen size, the more expensive it gets to replace or repair.

However, this does not mean that all new phones must feature expensive screen costs. For example, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus feature a separated glass back, which actually makes screen repairs easier. Repair costs on these models will set you back under $200, compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max which costs over $500 for a screen repair. 

Manufacturer Warranties

In recent times, smartphone companies have launched premium plans providing extended protection at much lower costs. Think of it as a type of insurance plan for phone repairs provided by the company itself. Examples of common first party premium warranty plans are AppleCare+ and Samsung Care+. Becoming a part of such a program can be a good investment, as screen costs can reduce dramatically.

Enrolling in such protection programs may help reduce the stress of accidental damage repairing as you will be receiving service at a reduce cost from the manufacturer directly. AppleCare+ includes “unlimited incidents of accidental damage protection” since 2022. This means their is no limit to claiming screen replacement or repairs. Screen or back glass damage will be covered for a small fee of $29 plus tax under this plan.

Samsung Care+ is a protection plan option for Samsung users, offering cracked screen repairs at a reduced cost, providing their services at just $29.

Final Thoughts

Any person who owns a smartphone may be faced with the task of getting their phone screen replaced eventually. Though it may seem daunting at first, the reality is that there are many options out there today to help you fix your phone without having to compromise on budget. Even if your phone looks to be in perfect condition today, it is best to do your research beforehand to ensure you make the right decision when the need arises.