How much does it cost to replace a broken phone screen?
Kevin Muñoz · 8 September 2026 · 6 min read
You've dropped your phone, the screen looks like a spider's web and the first thing you look up is the price. The honest answer is that it depends on three things: the model, the type of panel and which replacement part you get. I'll explain all three so you can judge whether the quote you're given is reasonable.
Guide prices by type of phone
These are the price ranges I work with in Matadepera and the surrounding area, with labour and VAT already included. They're a guide: I give you the fixed price in writing after seeing the device.
Why an AMOLED costs three times as much
In a modern phone, the screen isn't one part: it's three bonded together. The outer glass, the touch layer and the panel that produces the image. In cheap IPS panels these layers can be separated; in AMOLED panels they're fused with an optical adhesive that can't be undone without lab equipment.
That's why, when only the glass of an AMOLED breaks, the whole assembly has to be replaced even if the image still looks perfect. It's frustrating and expensive, but that's how it is.
The three types of replacement part you might get
This is the real difference between an 80 € quote and a 160 € quote for the same phone. Always ask which one you're getting.
- Original service part. The same part the manufacturer fits. Identical colour, brightness and touch response. It's the most expensive and isn't always available.
- High-quality aftermarket (INCELL or soft OLED). Made by third parties to good tolerances. You'll notice little or no difference day to day, and it's very good value for money. It's what I fit by default unless you ask for an original.
- Budget aftermarket. Washed-out colours, less brightness in sunlight, sometimes the touchscreen fails at the edges. It's much cheaper, but I only recommend it for old phones that just need to last another year or so.
If a quote is much cheaper than the rest and nobody tells you which part it uses, it's almost always a budget aftermarket part. It's not a scam, but you have the right to know before you pay.
What if there's just a line or a spot?
Ink-like spots that spread, coloured vertical lines and areas that don't respond to your finger are panel damage, not glass damage. The fix is the same: replace the assembly. If the phone displays fine but the touchscreen fails in just one strip, it's sometimes the internal connector, which costs much less to fix. It's worth checking before assuming the worst.
When replacing the screen isn't worth it
My rule is simple: if the repair costs more than half of what the phone is worth second-hand, think it over. A four-year-old phone that sells for 120 € doesn't deserve a 150 € screen. I go into it in “Repair or buy new? The 50% rule”.
There are two exceptions. First, if the phone has photos or data that haven't been backed up: then the repair is the cheapest way to recover them. Second, if the rest of the device is in perfect condition and the model still gets security updates.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take?
If I have the part, the same day. If it has to be ordered, two to five working days. I always tell you in advance which case you're in.
Will I lose my photos and data?
No. Replacing the screen doesn't touch the memory. Even so, it's best to back up first: if the touchscreen stops responding, you may not be able to do it later.
Can I keep using it cracked?
For a while, yes, but with two risks: the glass shards can cut your finger and, above all, dust and moisture get in through the cracks and end up damaging the panel. What's broken glass today can be a dead panel in two months.
Is there a warranty?
Six months on the part and labour. It doesn't cover another drop, of course.
Tell me the model and I'll send you the price
Send me a photo of the screen and the exact model. I'll tell you which part suits you and how much it costs, no strings attached. Diagnosis is free.