Your mobile phone screen is broken? Discover golden tips on whether you should fix it or buy another phone
A few days ago, a very common question was asked today: “My phone screen is broken, should I fix it or is it better to buy a new one?”
The bad thing is that the answer is not that simple and depends on several factors, including the original price of the mobile phone, the cost of repair, and the age of the new smartphone that just broke down.
- Mobile phone cost is key
One of the first things you should consider is the original price of your mobile phone. If you have a low-end or mid-range device that you bought for around $200 or $300, the repair cost can be affordable. In most cases, the cost of replacing a broken screen of a basic or mid-range mobile phone is around $100, which may justify getting it repaired instead of buying a new phone. However, if we are talking about a high-end mobile phone, the scenario changes drastically.
More expensive phones, such as the iPhone or Samsung's Galaxy S series, typically have more advanced screens, with higher resolution and technologies such as LTPO, OLED, or Super AMOLED. Repairing a screen of this type can cost between $200 and $300 or more, depending on the model. In this case, you have to ask yourself if it's really worth spending that much money on a device that has probably already been used for a few years.
- How old is your cell phone?
Another crucial factor is the age of the mobile phone. If your device is less than two years old and is in good overall condition, then screen repair may be a very viable option, as this way you will be able to continue to benefit from a mobile phone that still has a lot to offer in terms of power, camera and software. Keep in mind that there are many mid-range and high-end mobile phones today that still receive software updates after two years, which extends their useful life if you decide to repair them.
However, if the mobile phone is already more than three years old, it is likely to start lagging behind in terms of updates and performance. In these cases, screen repair may not be the best investment, as the device may become outdated in a short time. If the screen of a mobile phone that is 3 years old or more breaks, we can say that it is time to move on and buy another phone.
- Repair vs. Buy
If you decide that screen repair is the best option, the main reason is to save money. Fixing your broken cell phone will always be cheaper than buying a new one, but keep in mind what we just said, if it has been around for a long time, you may soon have to change your cell phone.
If you choose to buy a phone, even mid-range phones now come with technology that was only seen in premium devices a few years ago. For example, cameras are getting better, processor performance is increasing dramatically, and high-resolution displays with faster refresh rates are now within reach of almost any budget. Plus, with a new phone, you’ll get support and updates for longer and won’t have to deal with other issues that your current phone might have, like a failing battery or overheating.
If you ask us, the choice between repairing or buying a new cell phone will depend solely and exclusively on its current condition. If the phone is relatively new and the repair is not too expensive, then screen repair may be the best option. But if your cell phone is already a few years old and it would cost you a lot to repair, don’t hesitate and take a look at buying a more modern phone.