Cracked Phone Screen: Repair Cost vs Buying a New Phone

The 50% rule

A simple rule of thumb: if the repair costs less than half of what you'd pay for a comparable phone, repair it. Most screen repairs fall well under that line — a new mid-range or flagship phone costs many times more than a screen.

Five questions to ask before you decide

1. Does it still get updates? Phones that no longer receive security updates are worth less to repair.
2. How's the battery? On iPhone, check Settings › Battery › Battery Health. Below about 80% maximum capacity, budget for a battery too — or consider upgrading.
3. Is storage enough? If you're constantly deleting photos to make room, an upgrade might be due anyway.
4. Is anything else wrong? A cracked screen alone is an easy fix. A cracked screen plus a dead port plus liquid damage tips the balance.
5. Are you on contract? If your upgrade date is months away, a repair gets you there without paying out a device balance.

Resale value: a repaired phone is worth more

Trade-in programs and private buyers heavily discount cracked phones. Even if you plan to upgrade soon, repairing first can recover much of the repair cost in a better trade-in or sale price.

The environmental bonus

Repairing keeps a working phone in use and out of landfill. Replacing one part has a far smaller footprint than manufacturing a whole new device.

Ready to weigh it up with real numbers? See typical prices in our iPhone screen repair price guide, or text your model for an exact quote.

Frequently asked questions

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