1/13/2024 0 Comments Replacement phone screens![]() As my sister told me, “My son’s lame feature phone never breaks.” So, I’m creating an opportunity for rampant screen cracking simply by purchasing iPhones for kids who are less than super-careful. This isn’t Apple’s or Samsung’s or anyone else’s fault but mine. According to SquareTrade tests, Apple’s newer, larger phones are less susceptible to breaking (though this hasn’t stopped my wife and I from proving that these phones still crack without too much encouragement). Other smartphone manufacturers, like Samsung, are the same. (Sure, Apple runs a bunch of tests to ensure the integrity of the system, but not $119 worth of tests.) Of course, Apple isn’t morally obligated (or even wise) to sell replacement glass at cost, but it’s clear that the company makes a lot of profit on selling $129 replacement screens, which can be done in under five minutes. (You can buy replacement glass online for $10.95.) While the cost of the glass isn’t broken out in this teardown analysis, informed estimates put the cost at roughly $10. Aside from straight glass screen replacements, Apple didn’t tell me exactly what it had to replace (except when it had to completely replace the unit, which has happened a few times).īut looking at a teardown analysis, the cost of replacing the parts is trivial for Apple, especially if the company uses refurbished phones, as one commentator notes. The cost of an iFixįor those wondering how I arrived at the profit margin estimate, it’s admittedly a bit of guesswork. ![]() So, I’m somewhat bound to Apple being expensive when I first buy the phone, and then when I pay to have its screens replaced again… and again… and again. ![]() Other folks do it for a fraction of the price.” The problem, however, is that those same “others” void my Apple warranty when they crack open the screen (pun intended). As one friend told me, “It’s best to avoid the Apple Store for repairs. This is one reason third-party repair companies have entered the market. Who wouldn’t want 90%-plus profit margins? This equates to a tidy profit of approximately $2,300 for Apple, based on estimates of the cost of materials. (I admit that I cracked my screen once, so I’m also part of the problem.)Īt $129 for each repair (without AppleCare), or even more if Apple deems that the underlying touchscreen or other internal systems have been damaged, I estimate that I’ve spent well over $2,500 fixing cracked iPhone screens. Over the past few years, I’ve visited the Apple Store or third-party repair providers to fix what my children have broken… over and over again. Sometimes, it feels like my family is responsible for most of that sum.īut based on the reactions to a Facebook post, it seems that we’re all feeding the smartphone profit machine, and long after we fork out the cash to buy our iPhones or Android devices in the first place. The cost of replacement phones is increasing too, with SquareTrade estimating the cost of replacements hit $4.8 from 2013 to 2014. As of late 2014, Americans spent $23.5 billion replacing broken smartphones, according to SquareTrade data. While not nearly as lucrative, and obviously not intentional, Apple, Samsung, and others are making bank replacing cracked smartphone screens. And now, Apple and other smartphone manufacturers are doing it with replacement screens. Not because the guides aren't helpful, but because it's hard to do these repairs if you're not an expert.The ridiculous profit made from replacing cracked smartphone screensįind out how Apple and other smartphone companies make massive profits on little screens. Check the comments on the iFixIt guides-you'll often find (especially with iPhones) that following tutorials exactly brings up other problems, including broken Face ID and non-working cameras.Suddenly Apple's repair prices sound a lot better! Now think about buying tools, spending hours on replacing the screen, and then finding out you can no longer unlock your iPhone. ![]() For example, the iPhone Pro 12 Max screen assembly costs about as much as an entire out-of-warranty repair from Apple. Compare the price of a new screen assembly and tools with a quote from a service provider.Check the prices for the tools the tutorials require and take a look at the prices for replacement screens for your model. If they have a screen replacement tutorial for your phone, look over the steps and assess whether you could perform them yourself without help. Find out if your phone can be repaired at home.
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