At What Point Do You Say Enough with The Expensive Reapair/Glass Screen Device?

TLDR; The glass screen or other part almost always cracks/shatters/breaks and it sometimes costs more than the bargain you got the device for, even with the insurance.

At what point do you say this device is not worth the hidden cost?

The story:
Up until few years ago I never had my phone screen cracked but my most recent device has had its screen broken 3 times already (edit; even with full body cover and double screen protector) and I thought that was expensive to replace for a couple of hundreds of dollars but fortunately I have been able to change it myself for $30-50 which is still expensive for a phone you already paid $500 to $1000. Unfortunately the cost of repair for any broken part or damage done to these devices means it's not worth the repair especially after only a year when your old generation device is even cheaper than the parts! So logic says it's better to buy a new device and the same story. Waste of money and resources. Surely the corporations like this.

I had recently checked a few of the bargains on here for $600 - $1000 and talked to the store or manufacturer or repair centres and the cost of repair for just the screen is respectively $400 - $600. The $400 insurance when available means you pay about $200 less. But who pays $400 for insurance and excess? Also even if you do pay, some functions are lost forever because of the part quality or repair.

As of now no manufacturer provides parts for the right to repair at a reasonable price.

Your thoughts?

PS; I couldn't find screen replacement for some devices at all but those that are available are only about $200 cheaper than the repair centre replacement and without their warranty.

I always have case and screen cover even on the camera lens

Poll Options

  • 7
    The Expensive devices are not worth the repair cost and I won't buy.
  • 12
    I pay I am rich
  • 1
    I will contact the government or manufacturer for the right to repair

Comments

  • +34

    my most recent device has had its screen broken 3 times already

    Have you tried not breaking the screen?

  • +2

    Glass screen protector?

    • +2

      "Tempered Glass Protectors"… these are essentially mandatory for me.

      If something hits your phone hard, or if you drop the phone, usually the impact is absorbed by the external glass.
      It acts like a sacrificial component. They barely add to the thickness. And feel much better under your fingers than those plastic ones. If we actually had a pro-consumer company the way they would design the phone would be very different, for instance:

      • Front would be a Flat Glass, with a Glass Protector installed from factory.
      • Sides of the phone would stick out to drape/lip over the plane of the front
      • The rear would curve slightly to be ergonomic but cover the Camera Lens (no Hump)
      • The innards would have the Camera, SoC, Speakers, Vibrators, etc be aligned centrally
      • Two batteries would flank the central logic board, one would be internal-sealed sitting next to the USB-C and Headphone Jack
      • The second battery (eg 2,000mAh) would be the primary one to reduce wear, and it would be User Removable
      • Phone would be IP69K waterproof, since the removable battery is placed in special compartment and has protection from electrical shortage/moisture detection
      • The logic board would be a whole piece, but components could be removable like Cameras, Vibrators, Speakers, Ports, Buttons if need refurbishing.
      • As standard, DualSIM, microSD slot, and Unlockable Bootloader would be included for longevity.
        ….
      • Cheap model would have DragonTrail screen, Aluminium subframe, backplate of Matte Aerospace-grade Polycarbonate
      • Medium model would have Gorilla Glass 6, Stainless steel subframe, backplate of scratch-resistant anodised Aluminium (7000-series)
      • Expensive model would have a Sapphire Crystal screen, Titanium alloy subframe, backplate of Military-grade Kevlar mold
  • +7

    It became a problem when replacement screens started coming as display and glass in a single package instead of just being able to simply replace the top glass. Very annoying.

    However I've never broken a phone screen so don't have this issue. Probably because I use a rubber/silicone case and rarely drop it or use it as a projectile.

    • +1

      I break phone screens all of the time (frequent dropping and projectiling) …

      Solution - cheap phones from coles / post office when 50% off

      Currently rocking a huawei y6 that I bought for 100$, if screen breaks, get another :)

    • display and glass in a single package

      Afaik this is done so the device is thinner, and the display is clearer/brighter.

      • +1

        Yeah. And I think because the front cameras and face recognition stuff is all part of that front display assembly so it all has to be replaced if you break the glass.

  • +1

    Well, most of the cost for the screen replacement is in the labour. So if you can think of a way to replace the screens without human labour… please show us.

    Or, as already mentioned, stop destroying the screens!

  • +2

    If you're breaking it because you're not using a case, use a case.

    If you're breaking it because you work in a harsh environment, get a rugged phone or don't carry your phone in your pocket whilst you work.

    The repair process is retrofitting. The assembly of your phone isn't done the same way and you can't reasonably expect someone to dismantle your phone and reassemble it without it being cost prohibitive.

  • +1

    Don't think I've broken a phone screen for over 5 years. I keep my phone in a case with a screen protector and look after it. I wouldn't even know the price of a screen replacement.

  • At what point do you say this device is not worth the hidden cost?

    What? How about just not dropping the damned thing?

  • I regularly break my screens, I pay the Optus insurance, used to be $50 to replace a screen on my s7 edge, which I did 3 times, my note 6 3 times(twice in a month) but they bumped the cost up to $100 a go. Now I'm about to be on my 3rd note 9 screen replacement. I probably should use a screen protector.

    Samsung charges $340 for the note 9, so I figure the insurance is worth it

  • I selected the 'I pay I am rich' option on the poll.

  • +1

    Pay with Amex and get free screen replacement.

  • Where's the Applecare+ option? This is a non issue for those with it.

    • +2
      • Applecare+ is not free
      • Making a claim for accidental damage under Applecare+ is not free either
      • Applecare+ is limited in its number of uses.
      • Cost of Applecare+ and a claim, is not insignificant.
      • While phone repairs cost heaps (e.g. back glass on an iPhone 8), this is (arguably) primarily due to the phone being designed without appropriate prioritization for ease and cost of repair — but no surprises there, considering it's an Apple product.

      Personally, I minimise my repair costs by refusing to buy devices that are expensive to repair, and by using it in a case. I use an iPhone SE, that is fast enough, compact, good battery life, decent camera, has a headphone jack, and is dead easy to repair.

  • +1

    Only ever broken a screen once, it was in my pocket and the edge had a very light knock against a bench and cracked. This was curved edge phone in a tough case, never buying a curved edge phone again. Shelled out the $300 to repair it and hope to not have the same experience again.

  • i spent 320 on a screen replacement for my note 8, i think it will be the last time i purchase a flagship device.
    i think ill be purchasing maybe mid level devices to get me by and if they get totalled beyond use then away it goes.

  • +1

    Husband cracked his s8+ screen 4 months in, luckily was paying with Coles MC so had Merchandise protection, but it only cost $280 with Samsung and he got it on the release day.

    And then 2 weeks later he cracked it again…too bad so sad. Think a better plan is that he just uses my old phones when I'm done with them as I never crack my screens.

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