Cracked phone screen: repair or replace? (2026 prices)

Everyone knows the sound: a phone hits the pavement and when you pick it up, a spiderweb of cracks across the whole display. The million-euro question pops up at once: is it worth repairing, or should you just buy a new one? There is no single answer, it depends on the model, the age of the device and the cost of the repair. In this article we will give you real numbers and a clear rule for how to decide.

We will not promise a repair is always cheap, nor scare you that a new phone is the only way. We will say it straight, with the prices that really apply today.

How much a screen replacement costs

The price varies most by the type of display your device has. Cheaper models have simpler panels, flagships have expensive OLED displays bonded into one unit. The table below gives an indicative picture; we can quote an exact price once we know the specific model.

Why the wide range? On pricier phones the display is the most expensive part of the whole device and it is bonded with the glass and the touch layer, so it is replaced as a single piece. That is exactly why a screen replacement on a flagship is a noticeable cost.

Original or copy: what is the difference

For a replacement you often have two kinds of part to choose from. An original display has the same image quality, brightness and response as the original, but it costs more. A good copy is cheaper and perfectly fine for ordinary use, but it may have slightly different colours, lower brightness or worse readability in direct sun.

Neither choice is bad, they are just different trade-offs between price and quality. What matters is knowing what you are choosing. We always explain the difference and leave the decision to you, not the other way round.

Repair, or a new phone?

This is the heart of the question, and there is a fairly simple rule for it. Compare the repair cost with the price of a comparable new or refurbished device:

• A repair is worth it when it costs a fraction of the phone’s value and the device is otherwise fine. Replacing a display for 90 euros on an otherwise excellent phone is clearly more sensible than buying new for many times that.
• A repair stops being worth it when its cost approaches half the price of a comparable new one and the phone is already old or has other ailments, a weak battery or a slow response. Then other routes make sense too.

But it is not only about the numbers. If the device holds important data and photos, a repair keeps them without transferring anything. And ecologically, extending a device’s life is almost always better than a new one.

What to do right after it breaks

While you decide, a few tips. Cover the cracked display with a clear film or tape so shards do not fall out and cut you, and so moisture and dust do not get into the crack. If the touch drops out, back up your data while you still can, ideally following our guide to backing up your phone. And do not needlessly get the phone wet, cracked glass loses its water resistance.

If the screen does not respond at all and you have unsaved things on it, do not experiment and bring the device in as soon as possible, while the data is still reachable.

When to leave it to us

A screen replacement is precise work for a clean environment, where one wrong move damages other parts. We have the tools and the experience for it, and we will tell you the real price for your model in advance, along with whether the repair is even worth it. If it is not, we will honestly advise what to do next.

This article is part of our guide to service and maintenance.