Broken Display: Repair or Replace the Device? Here's How to Decide

It happens in a second: the phone tips off the table and the display is cracked. Now the question is: get it repaired or replace it right away? The answer depends on the damage, the age of the device and an honest calculation.

First assessment: how bad is the damage?

• Only the glass is cracked, the screen still works: The device is fully usable, but act soon. Cracks grow, splinters can cut your finger, and moisture gets in more easily.
• Screen image is faulty (lines, spots, black areas): The panel itself is damaged; only a display replacement will help.
• Touch no longer responds: Also a case for the workshop, often combined with panel damage.

When a repair is worth it

As a rule of thumb: if your device is three years old or younger and otherwise in good shape, a display replacement is almost always the most economical solution. You keep your fully set-up device including your data, you protect the environment, and at our workshop in Basel, Bern or Solothurn you are often back on your way within one to two hours, with a warranty on the repair and brand-quality replacement parts.

When a replacement device is the better deal

It looks different when several factors come together: the device is old, will soon stop receiving updates, the battery is weak anyway or there is additional damage. Then the repair quickly exceeds the device's current value. In that case you are better off with a certified refurbished device: a model that is one to two years old often costs not much more than a major repair on the old device, comes with a 1-year warranty and will last for many more years. Check the prices in our shop before you decide.

The smart double move: replace and sell the old device

Even with a broken display, your phone is not worthless. We buy defective devices too; simply declare the damage in the price calculator. That way the old device finances part of the replacement, and instead of being thrown away it gets professionally refurbished by us.

Prevention for next time

The cheapest repair is the one that never becomes necessary: a good screen protector and a case with a raised edge absorb most drops. We fit the screen protector bubble-free for you in store.

Conclusion

Young device, isolated display damage: repair it, done in one to two hours. Old device with several issues: replace it with a refurbished model and get the old one credited. If you are unsure, we will assess the damage in store free of charge.