Which is Better? Fixing a Broken iPhone or Buying a New One?

Anyone who owns a smartphone, especially an iPhone, dreads dropping their gadget and seeing the display break or shatter. After all, with the prices of the recently released mobile devices more expensive than before, having it repaired can take a bite out of your savings. You are probably thinking whether you are better off buying a brand new gadget, or perhaps proceed with repairing your old phone. It might be that you are considering getting refurbished phones too for that matter. At this point, making a decision won’t be easy as all options do have their merit, so let’s break them down so you will know which one will work best for your needs.

Repairing Your Old Smartphone

Should I repair my phone screen or buy a new one? This is a question that you and I have probably asked quite a few times now after years of enjoying using mobile phones. The glass display is prone to cracks and breakage when it is dropped at a certain height or even bumped on hard surfaces. There are certain factors that you need to weigh in to determine if you are better off having your broken iPhone repaired such as:

• Cost. If you accidentally damaged your iPhone’s screen, the cost of having it replaced is around £326 if you bring it to Apple itself and if the warranty has already expired. It is possible to get it done cheaply if you choose a third-party repair shop to do it for you, but you will need to consider where to bring it too to ensure that the work is done professionally. Fix cracked screen or buy new phone? This will depend mostly on how severe the damage is and your current budget too. If you want the best deal, there are several retailers in the UK that can provide you with quality repairs like QwikFone.
• Damage. Another factor that you should take into consideration is the severity of the damage. For example, if the screen has small cracks, it can be replaced by a professional repair service or by you, if you are brave enough to break your iPhone apart. On the other hand, if the screen damage is way too shattered, you might be better off getting a new smartphone instead. 
• Repair service. You should also consider where you will bring your broken iPhone for repair if this is the option that you will go for. Apple users will more likely bring their device to an Apple store to have it fixed, while others can approach third-party repair services especially those who are looking to save money. For those who will be considering a third-party repair service, you might want to take the following into account.
  • Research. There are plenty of third-party repair services but not all of them can provide quality repair. Read reviews and do a background check to ensure that you are bringing your iPhone to a professional service. 
  • Waiting time. Another factor that you should consider too is the waiting time. Will you be visiting the physical store or will you be mailing-in your device? Ask how long it will take for your broken iPhone to be repaired.
  • Software. Double check if your iPhone’s software is currently updated as it may be the cause of your phone’s issues. You should do this prior to bringing your smartphone to the repair shop. 

Replacing Your Old iPhone 

Replacing your broken or damaged iPhone is going to be the most expensive option since you will be buying a brand new one. And let’s face it, Apple smartphones aren’t exactly cheap to begin with. The latest models do come at a high price which is not surprising given that these models come with better features too. But when is the right time to get a new one?

Let’s say that your iPhone has been with you for more than five years. First of all, good job on taking care of it that long. Second, this is a good time to give your device an upgrade especially when Apple’s iOS are often upgraded and you might have been missing out on the new features. Third, if the cost of the repair is going to be more expensive, you might be better off getting a new device instead.

If you want to get the latest model, then better be prepared to spend at around £1000 more or less for Apple’s newest flagship device. This is a good investment though since it runs on the latest iOS, has the fastest processor in the market, plus the battery will last you longer too. There are cheaper alternatives such as the older models which will have their prices cut back every time a new model is released. This is a good opportunity to snag the previous model at a more affordable retail price that will work well with your budget. 

Additionally, you can also sell your old device as is since the parts can still be used by repair shops so you can make some money out of it too. 

How About Refurbished Phones?

If the cost of replacing the damaged screen is more expensive than the original cost of your smartphone, or purchasing a brand new iPhone is out of the question, there is a cheaper option that you can take advantage of which are refurbished phones. 

Refurbished gadgets may sound like a poor choice especially for an Apple product, but the refurbishment process is more sophisticated these days compared to the early days of mobile devices. This means that you can expect that refurbished mobile phones will not only work like-new, but also, they will look like new too. 

But if they are second hand, how can you be sure that they will work? This is where you should choose the retail service carefully. There are a few things that you should check before making the final purchase though and these are:

• Price. Don’t buy the first one that you see online or in stores. It is always better that you compare rates, features, and perks to ensure that you are getting the best value for your money.
• Background. Like it was mentioned before, the background of the retailer must be considered too. It would be better if you go for stores or sellers that have made a name for themselves in this industry and that they have high ratings from their customers too. 
• Warranty. Another factor that you should look into when shopping for refurbished phones is the warranty. Warranties will serve as your protection as a customer in case the item you bought suddenly stopped working. The retailer will be able to repair the item for free or replace it without you paying anything. 
• Return Policy. A return policy must be in place to ensure that you will be able to return the item if there are any defects or you want to exchange for a different one. Usually, the return policy can be longer than two weeks, while others can offer up to a month. You will need to weigh your options carefully. 
• Accessories. Another factor that you should look into is whether there are any accessories included. Some may not sell their refurbished phones with accessories, but there are those who will for free but they will not be original.

Which is Better?

If you are wondering, “Should I repair my phone screen or buy a new one?”, this will depend mostly on what you are comfortable doing. A cracked iPhone display may be repaired by a third party repair service to get it back to its pristine condition. This is cheaper compared to bringing your broken device to the manufacturer itself, especially when your warranty has already expired, since the repair service fee will be a bit expensive compared to third party repair companies. 

On the other hand, getting a new iPhone may be waiting in the wings especially when your current smartphone is a few years old already and is no longer eligible for updates. Although this doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to use your device any more, it is just that it will be at risk of hacking since the security features are no longer up to date. However, buying a new mobile phone will be a bit expensive, and may lock you into a plan for a few years too, so you should weigh this carefully. 

There is no wrong answer here, but if you are torn between repairing and buying a new iPhone, why not consider getting refurbished phones instead? These units are professionally refurbished to work and look like new but sold at cheap prices which means that you can get a good deal for a refurbished iPhone. The best thing about refurbished phones is that not all of them are smartphones that have been returned because they have defects. Some are returned because the owner wanted something else so there is a good chance that you will get a smartphone that will be almost brand-new.