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My daughter's dropped and smashed her screen. Apple price is £150, any reason to not use a reputable repair firm? Timpson's quote is for AAA quality parts at £99.95, and another firm that seems to be recommended is iMend, but any experience / what's the pitfalls for any future problems, are they also covered by the repairer?
there was something about any non Apple replacements causing issues after some upgrades...
no idea if it's still occurring
It’s a minefield.
Apple come down really hard on anyone even using their name to sell parts so they’re invariably generic non-branded items so the only way for them to sell them really is on price.
Generic screens are nothing like as strong or scratch resistant as an original screen, the can also be; darker, grainy, cause over-heating, have terrible touch sensitivity, decrease battery life and otherwise suddenly die without warning.
My guy will fit a new iPhone screen for £35, but even he says they’re never the same again.
Take out a nationwide flex plus account = £13 p/m and phone insurance included. £156 for the year and travel insurance also plus other benefits.
I used it it when I dropped my Galaxy and smashed the screen - returned in days and guaranteed for 12mths.
Don’t waste money with anyone but Apple. Screen never feels the same at indie repair co’s and Apple will guarantee the fix. My 7 went into brick mode a week after their repair and they gave me a new phone on the same day.
My previous repair of my 5 at an indie lost sensitivity over time and came loose. Also taken quite a few iPads to indies over the years to experiment before selling and they’ve all been just ok at best. They all show off their genuine Apple screens but I think the problem is while the back is fine and looks as it should / genuine, the lamination / recon on their screens is never as good as a fresh screen straight from Apple.
Surely, if you go to Timpson's and it isn't right, you go back to Timpsons. They aren't likely to be disappearing any time soon! I'm taking mine there when the crack bugs me enough.
Timpsons still won't be able to fit a genuine Apple screen though no matter how many times you take it back.
Daughter has s Timpsons screen on her 6. It’s fine, but no better than the generic one from the local phone guy. Whilst they may fail over time they are usually that much cheaper than Apple that it’s worth doing even if you have to replace it. Just don’t try to take it for an authorised Apple repair after you’ve used non Apple parts.
I guess it comes down to whether the phone is still in warranty or you’re likely to want Apple to open it up.
edit: Timpsons also gave a 12 month damage smash replacement guarantee too.
I have yet to see a replacement screen from any one but apple that doesn't have a blue hue to it.
Spend the money once with Apple and buy an Otterbox defender while you are there.
Spend the money once with Apple and buy an Otterbox defender while you are there.
...and then subscribe to Louis Rossmann's Youtube channel to find out just how sinister Apple's business practices are when it comes to repairs:
https://www.youtube.com/user/rossmanngroup
Generic screens are nothing like as strong or scratch resistant as an original screen, the can also be; darker, grainy, cause over-heating, have terrible touch sensitivity, decrease battery life and otherwise suddenly die without warning.
I know, but £150 repair on a 2nd hand phone that cost £300...... even if the screen isn't as good for colours or sensitivity, that's the penalty for being a stupid teenager and not having it in a case like she's told to. If it wasn't properly smashed I'd be all for telling her to live with it full stop.
Of the above the one that bothers me is the 'die without warning' hence recommendations for reputable repairers and if it does really go wrong then someone like Timpson's or one of the other longstanding repair firms with a 12mo warranty seems like a better option. Are those 'can also be' from experience or just what you read on the web, because there are dozens of other happy reviews.
Or get an Android like her Dad seems to manage with at less than a price of the Apple screen?
Having 2 kids I've replaced 6 and 6s screens at local repair places I use be apple only for repairs but not once they pushed their prices up. Had no issues with quality certainly not noticeable.
Chances are Apple will give you a refurbished phone anyhow.
IME they will repair your existing one (mine had the same scratches on the back when it was returned!) unless it's actually destroyed.Chances are Apple will give you a refurbished phone anyhow.
unless she's paying for it, and as she won't look after it properly, I don't see why you wouldn't do this though!!Or get an Android like her Dad seems to manage with at less than a price of the Apple screen?
Might be wise to make sure it's backed up and reset before leaving it with a stranger.
£65 at iMend and for an extra £15 they'll even come out to you and do it while you wait.
https://www.imend.com/repairs/iphone-7-repair/
I've had 4 done by them, but as others have said the replacement non-Apple screens are never quite as bright or sharp. But for kids to drop them all the time they are good enough.