The Ultimate Guide to iPhone Screen Replacement

Pro Tip

Key Takeaways:

• Four quality tiers exist: INCELL (budget), Soft OLED (best value), Hard OLED (premium), Genuine Apple (maximum quality).
• Most people should choose Soft OLED — same technology as genuine Apple at 30-40% less cost.
• UK prices range from £59-£379 depending on iPhone model and screen quality tier.
• Same-day repairs are standard for most iPhone models with quality OLED screens.
• True Tone can be restored on aftermarket OLED screens with proper calibration tools.

Cracked your iPhone screen? You're not alone. Screen damage is the most common iPhone repair we see, accounting for roughly 65% of all repairs through our workshop. We've replaced over 50,000 iPhone screens since 2014, and this guide distills everything we've learned into practical advice you can actually use.

Here's what makes this guide different: we're not trying to sell you the most expensive option. We're going to tell you exactly when the budget option makes sense, when to pay for premium, and when you're wasting money on features you'll never notice. Radical transparency — it's how we've built our reputation over 27 years in this industry.

Before You Start: Is Screen Repair Right for You?

Not every cracked screen needs replacing. Before you spend money on repair, let's figure out if it actually makes sense for your situation.

When Repair Makes Sense

• Phone is less than 4 years old: Newer iPhones have years of software support ahead and retain good resale value.
• Minor cracks with full functionality: If the screen works perfectly and cracks are cosmetic, repair gives you a like-new device.
• Repair cost is less than 40% of phone value: Quick rule of thumb — if repair costs more than 40% of what the phone is worth, consider replacement.
• You're attached to your data and setup: Getting a new phone means transferring everything. Repair keeps your device exactly as it is.

When Replacement Might Be Better

• iPhone 8 or older: Limited iOS support remaining, battery likely degraded, may not be worth the investment.
• Multiple issues: If the screen is cracked AND the battery is dying AND there's water damage, the costs add up.
• Insurance/AppleCare+: If you have coverage, Apple's service might be more cost-effective.

Did You Know?

The honest calculation: An iPhone 13 is worth roughly £350-400 on the used market. A Soft OLED screen replacement costs around £139-159. That's 35-40% of the phone's value — typically worth it. An iPhone X is worth £120-150. INCELL replacement at £89 is 60-75% of value — borderline. We'll always give you this honest assessment.

Understanding iPhone Screen Technology

Before choosing a replacement screen, you need to understand what's actually inside your iPhone. It's not just "a screen" — it's a precisely engineered stack of layers that determines everything from colour accuracy to sunlight visibility to battery life.

LCD vs OLED: The Fundamental Difference

Apple has used two different display technologies in iPhones:

LCD (iPhone 11, XR, SE, 8 and earlier): A backlight shines through liquid crystals. When you want black, the crystals try to block light — but some always leaks through. That's why LCD blacks look grey in dark rooms.

OLED (iPhone X and all Pro models since, iPhone 12 and newer standard models): Each pixel makes its own light. Want black? The pixel simply turns off. Zero light. True black. The contrast difference is immediately visible.

Why This Matters for Replacement

Here's the critical point: if your iPhone originally had an OLED screen, you have a choice between replacing it with OLED (maintains quality) or INCELL/LCD (downgrades quality but saves money). We'll explain all four options in detail below.

The Four iPhone Screen Quality Tiers

When you search for iPhone screen repair, you'll encounter wildly different prices. A shop quoting £69 and another quoting £280 aren't necessarily ripping you off or offering bargains — they're likely offering different quality tiers.

INCELL: The Budget Option (£59-£99)

INCELL screens use LCD technology on an OLED-style frame. They're the cheapest option because LCD is significantly cheaper to manufacture than OLED. The trade-off? You're downgrading your display technology.

Choose INCELL if: You're selling the phone soon, you genuinely can't afford OLED, or you're repairing an older phone you don't use much. Avoid INCELL if: You watch videos, use Dark Mode, care about display quality, or plan to keep the phone for 2+ years.

Hard OLED: Good Value (£89-£159)

Hard OLED uses genuine OLED technology on a rigid glass substrate. The image quality is excellent — proper blacks, proper colours, proper contrast. The downside? The rigid glass makes it slightly more fragile and prone to re-cracking on future drops.

Choose Hard OLED if: You want OLED quality on a tighter budget and you're careful with your phone. Consider alternatives if: You've cracked screens before (you'll likely drop it again).

Soft OLED: Best Value (£119-£199) ★ Our Recommendation

Soft OLED uses the same flexible polyimide substrate as genuine Apple screens. This flexibility means better impact absorption, precise fit against the iPhone's curved edges, and durability that matches the original. It's the same technology — just manufactured by third parties instead of Apple's suppliers.

Why we recommend it: Over the past three years, our Soft OLED repairs have had 30% fewer re-cracks within 12 months compared to Hard OLED. The price difference is £20-40 for significantly better durability. For 80% of customers, this is the right choice.

Genuine Apple: Maximum Quality (£199-£379)

Genuine Apple screens are factory-original components with pre-calibrated True Tone data. They're sourced through Apple's Self Service Repair programme or refurbished from salvaged iPhones. No iOS warnings, no calibration needed, maximum specs.

Choose Genuine Apple if: You're planning to sell or trade in the phone (maximises value), you need True Tone working perfectly without calibration, or you simply want the absolute best regardless of cost.

Did You Know?

Our honest take: Most people choosing genuine Apple screens are either planning to sell their phone, or are doing it for peace of mind rather than practical benefit. A quality Soft OLED screen performs at 95-98% of genuine Apple levels — most people genuinely cannot tell the difference in daily use. We'll never upsell you to genuine if Soft OLED meets your needs.

For a deep technical comparison of all four screen types, including layer construction, brightness specifications, and detailed trade-offs, see our complete guide to iPhone screen types.

UK Pricing: How Much Will Screen Replacement Cost?

Here's what you'll actually pay for iPhone screen replacement in the UK. These prices include fitting and our 27-month warranty.

How This Compares to Apple

Apple charges £289-£379 for screen repairs out of warranty. With AppleCare+, it's £25 with an incident fee. Our Soft OLED repairs typically save you £100-150 versus Apple's pricing while providing equivalent quality and a longer warranty (12 months vs Apple's 90 days for out-of-warranty repairs).

For complete pricing on every iPhone model (including older devices), see our full iPhone screen replacement cost guide for 2026.

What Happens During a Screen Replacement?

Understanding the repair process helps you know what to expect and why quality matters. Here's exactly what happens when you bring your iPhone to us.

Step 1: Diagnostic Assessment (5 minutes)

We check your iPhone's current state: Face ID functionality, touch response, existing damage, battery health. This baseline helps us verify everything works correctly after repair.

Step 2: Secure Opening (10 minutes)

iPhones are held together with pentalobe screws and adhesive. We use heated platens to soften the waterproof seal, then carefully prise the display open without damaging the delicate flex cables underneath.

Step 3: Component Transfer (15-20 minutes)

The original screen contains several components that must be transferred to the replacement:

• Earpiece speaker with True Tone sensor (iPhone X and later)
• Front camera/Face ID array (carefully aligned)
• Proximity sensor
• Metal shield plates

Step 4: Screen Installation (10 minutes)

The new screen is connected, cables are routed correctly, and everything is secured. This requires precision — improper seating causes touch issues or display problems.

Step 5: Calibration (5-10 minutes)

For OLED screens, we use calibration equipment to transfer True Tone data from your original screen. This restores the ambient light adjustment feature that makes your screen easier on the eyes.

Step 6: Quality Testing (10 minutes)

Every repair goes through our testing checklist:

• ✓ Full display inspection (dead pixels, colour uniformity, touch response)
• ✓ Face ID verification
• ✓ Proximity sensor (screen turns off during calls)
• ✓ True Tone functionality (if restored)
• ✓ Earpiece speaker quality
• ✓ Front camera alignment

Step 7: Sealing and Final Inspection (5 minutes)

New waterproof adhesive is applied, the phone is sealed, and we give it a final inspection. Total time: typically 45-60 minutes for a straightforward screen replacement.

Good News

Same-day service: Most screen replacements are completed within 1-2 hours while you wait. For mail-in repairs, we aim for 48-hour turnaround from receiving your device.

True Tone, Face ID & What Survives Replacement

One of the most common concerns is which features will work after an aftermarket screen replacement. Here's the honest breakdown.

Face ID: Works Perfectly

Face ID is not part of the screen — it's in the TrueDepth camera array at the top of the phone. During screen replacement, we carefully transfer this assembly to the new screen. Face ID continues working exactly as before. The only caveat: iPhone 14 Pro and newer may show a Face ID warning message (not an error — just a notification) that requires Apple calibration to remove. Functionality is unaffected.

True Tone: Can Be Restored

True Tone adjusts your screen's colour warmth based on ambient lighting. The calibration data is stored on a chip on the original screen's flex cable. We can transfer this data to aftermarket OLED screens using programmer equipment. Result: True Tone works on Soft OLED and Hard OLED screens when properly calibrated. INCELL screens don't support True Tone.

The "Unknown Part" Warning

Since iOS 15.2, iPhones display "Unable to verify this iPhone has a genuine Apple display" in Settings → General → About for non-Apple screens. This is purely informational — not an error. It doesn't affect functionality, performance, or iOS updates. It's Apple's parts-pairing system, not a quality indicator.

Feature Summary by Screen Type

*True Tone requires calibration tool during installation

Which Screen Should You Choose?

Based on our experience with thousands of repairs, here's our straightforward advice:

If You're on a Tight Budget

Consider INCELL only if you're repairing an older iPhone (X, XS) that you're planning to sell or replace soon. For anything else, save a bit more for Hard OLED minimum.

If You Want Best Value (80% of People)

Choose Soft OLED. It's the same underlying technology as genuine Apple screens at 30-40% less cost. Better durability than Hard OLED. True Tone can be restored. This is what we recommend for most repairs.

If You're Selling Your iPhone

Consider Genuine Apple. No iOS warnings means higher resale value. True Tone works natively. Buyers pay more for phones with original parts.

If You're a Professional Photographer/Videographer

Choose Soft OLED or Genuine Apple. Maximum colour accuracy matters for your work. The difference between Hard OLED and Soft OLED is minimal, but Soft OLED's better brightness helps in outdoor shooting.

Pro Tip

Our standing offer: Not sure which to choose? Book a free consultation. We'll assess your phone, understand your usage, and give you an honest recommendation — even if that means suggesting the cheaper option. We'd rather earn your trust than make an extra £30.

For a more detailed decision framework, see our iPhone screen quality buyer's guide — we cover common mistakes, specific scenarios, and a full comparison table.

Ready to Get Your iPhone Screen Replaced?

We offer same-day screen replacement for most iPhone models. Choose your preferred quality tier at booking, or visit us for a free consultation if you're unsure.

Good News

What's included: Professional installation, True Tone restoration (OLED screens), full functional testing, waterproof seal replacement, and our 27-month warranty. Walk-in or mail-in — same quality, same warranty.