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Published on: 27.01.2024 | updated on: 08.04.2024
In this article, we discuss the comparison between repairing your phone and buying a new one. We look at what you can do to prolong the life of your phone, like installing updates and using good charging habits. We look at the costs of buying a new phone and the repair costs for screen, battery, and charging port replacements.
When you have problems with your phone, it can be hard to know which option is better to replace or repair. There are factors you need to consider here that can determine the answer, such as the type of damage, how old the Samsung phone is, and whether the phone is still working well.
If the phone has minor damage and cost is a factor you need to consider, then repairing it is cost-effective.
Here, we look at the prices for buying and repairing the phone to help you understand what each repair may cost.
Here are the prices for two common phone brands Apple and Samsung.
Samsung repair costs
You can carry out the phone repair yourself if you know what you are doing and have experience in this field. We talk about the costs of the basic repairs, but remember, when you are conducting repairs yourself, you need to factor in the costs for the phone tools as they are not common tools that you already have at home.
Repair Type |
Estimated DIY repair cost |
$92-$240 |
|
$35 to $52 |
|
$2 to $30 |
Table 1. Samsung DIY repair prices
Repair Type |
Estimated DIY Cost |
$100-$120 |
|
$10-$50 |
|
$20-$140 |
Table 2. iPhone DIY repair cost
Here is a cost breakdown for the popular models of iPhone and Samsung to buy brand new.
The worse the damage, the more you will have to pay for your repair. If you drop the phone and the screen cracks, but upon inspection, the repairer finds that the charging port is also damaged, you will need two repairs, which means more expense. For minor issues like a charging port or a screen replacement, they are minor jobs and won’t cost too much; however, water damage is expensive due to the parts involved and the damage that water causes to the internals.
You need to consider your phone's age when deciding whether to replace or repair it. If the phone is nearly obsolete and Samsung or Apple is no longer providing you with updates, then it may be worthwhile to replace the phone. You could spend money on the repair only for the phone to die a few weeks later due to old age.
If the phone is still getting updates and the repair is minor, you can save yourself the price of a new phone and just get the repair done instead.
The average lifespan for most mobile phone models is 2.5 to 3 years. If the phone is cheap, you may get less out of it as cheap phones are not made to last. If you have an expensive Samsung or iPhone, you will likely get more time out of it if you look after it and keep it updated. These are only estimates. The lifespan will also be determined by your charging habits and the protection you have for the phone.
As the above says, phones last for around 2.5 to 3 years, but you can push them out to 4-7 by this time, you will start to see signs of old age, such as slowing down, internet problems, phone freezing, or not holding charge.
For the iPhone lovers most will upgrade their phone when a newer model comes out but for those who don't feel the need to upgrade as often can push it out to three or so years. If you only use the phone to call or message and use other basic features, then you can extend this longer as long as the phone is still receiving updates.
For most iPhones, you can get around 2-3 years more out of the phone once you have repairs done such as battery replacement. In most cases, the battery is the first thing that will start to degrade and make your phone performance degrade.
For Samsung models, you can gain around 2 more years with basic phone repairs.
If you like to do your bit for the environment, then consider a repair instead of a replacement. If the phone is working fine but needs a minor repair, why replace it when you can fix it and avoid sending another phone to the landfill? Repairing is certainly more eco-friendly than the alternative.
You might prefer to buy a new phone if you are stuck for time. If you use your phone for work every day, you may not be able to go without it while it is being repaired. If you can borrow a phone to use while yours is being fixed, it would be more affordable to repair than to buy a new device. Complex damage can take up to a week to fix, depending on how many customers are ahead of you. If you have to send the phone away, it can take weeks by the time the phone is repaired and sent back to you.
Some people struggle with change and prefer to leave things as they are. If this sounds like you, then you may want to repair the device so you can continue using it rather than replace it with a new one. The phone might have emotional importance, which makes repair the suitable option.
If you have AppleCare or the basic Apple or Samsung warranty that comes with the phone, then you may be able to get the phone repaired at no charge or a lower out-of-pocket cost. Be sure to read the terms and conditions, as not everything is covered by the warranty. Water damage, heat damage, and damage from misuse are not covered. Most coverage that comes with the phone will last for 12 months.
If your phone is still working great and the only problem you are facing with the phone is minor damage like a cracked screen or battery replacement, then repair is a great option and the most affordable. It would only be wise to replace the phone if the phone’s function and performance are very degraded and the overall phone is old.
If you have an older iPhone or Samsung, then you won’t be experiencing certain technological features that new models have such as better cameras and features, the ability to run higher-tech games, and other advancements. If you are happy with a basic phone without the added features, there may be no need for you to buy a brand-new one. If you are doing photography, then you will need a newer model with better camera functions and features.
There are signs that will indicate that your phone needs to be replaced. Problems such as switching off, not turning on, freezing, or severe water damage mean that you need to get a new phone. In these cases, the repairs would not be worth it cost-wise, and you are better off replacing them. Minor problems like a new screen or battery can be easily fixed, and there is no need for a phone replacement.
The recommended way to prolong the life of your phone is to look after it. Check out the tips below for the best way to look after your phone.
You have several options for getting your phone fixed. You can either go to the manufacturers, such as Apple and Samsung, or a third-party platform, such as Simply Fixable.
Simply Fixable has extensive knowledge and skillful technicians on their platform who specialize in the field of phone repair. Simply Fixable ensures their partners use high-quality parts, can make diagnoses quickly, offers supportive customer service, and is affordable.
You can choose to go with Apple, who use genuine parts however, the costs will be higher. All manufacturers of phones cost more for their repairs as they use genuine parts. Apple offers Applecare, so if you have that, you may be able to get your repair cheaper or at no cost at all.
Samsung offers all types of phone repairs and has supportive staff willing to help with your repair. There are fewer repair stores around for Samsung, so you may need to send it to the store via post.
There are so many places where you can buy new phones. You can buy them directly from manufacturers like Samsung or Apple or department stores like Bestbuy and other electrical shops. You can choose to buy brand new or refurbished ones that are second-hand but restored to excellent condition.
Before you go out and buy a phone, it’s a good idea to check with a professional first to see if there is anything else that can be done to repair your phone and get it back in working condition.
Sometimes, what you think is an expensive problem might only be a minor problem that won’t cost much to fix. Talk to a professional first and ask for a quote to determine which option, replacing or repairing, is better suited for you.
It can be hard to know which is the right decision from repairing a phone to buying a new one. There are pros and cons for each like if you are on a budget then repairing is the more affordable option but if your phone has significant damage and is near obsolete then it may be more cost-effective to buy a new phone. If you are unsure, speak to your local phone repair store who can give you a quote to repair the device and help you decide which is the better solution for your problem.
Author: Hollie Spooner
LinkedIn: Hollie Spooner
Professional Content Creator
Hollie is a technical writer with over 15 years of experience specializing in creating content to help keep the rest of the world informed and updated on all tech-related subjects. Hollie has created content for many writing platforms in the tech and IT industry, and her passion for turning words into helpful articles is still growing. Hollie holds several certifications, like "Professional Article and Blog Writing", "Writing Editing and Publishing", "Creative Writing" and "Technology Digital Solutions" by Open Education and Thompsons Education Direct. When she isn’t creating content for the web, she is enjoying a crazy life with her family and friends.
Professional Content Creator
LinkedIn: Hollie Spooner
Hollie is a technical writer with over 15 years of experience specializing in creating content to help keep the rest of the world informed and updated on all tech-related subjects. Hollie has created content for many writing platforms in the tech and IT industry, and her passion for turning words into helpful articles is still growing. Hollie holds several certifications, like "Professional Article and Blog Writing", "Writing Editing and Publishing", "Creative Writing" and "Technology Digital Solutions" by Open Education and Thompsons Education Direct. When she isn’t creating content for the web, she is enjoying a crazy life with her family and friends.
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