iPhone repair: what it really costs by model

The question comes up every day at the workshop: "My iPhone is broken, is it worth repairing?" The answer almost always depends on the model. An iPhone SE screen and an iPhone 17 Pro Max screen aren't the same budget, the same technology, or the same calculation.

This guide goes through what an iPhone repair really costs in 2026, model by model, no waffle.

Why the cost varies so much from one model to the next#

Two main factors explain the price gaps between models:

Screen technology. The iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation), iPhone 8 and iPhone 11 use LCD panels, cheaper to produce and replace. From the iPhone 12 onwards, all standard models move to OLED. And the Pro/Pro Max versions feature ProMotion panels (120 Hz) that are even more expensive.

Screen size. An iPhone 17 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch panel. An iPhone SE, 4.7 inches. The difference in surface area translates directly into part price.

In short: the newer and larger the model, the more expensive the part. Labour, on the other hand, stays relatively stable from model to model.

Screen: ranges by tier#

I'm not giving prices down to the penny here, part prices fluctuate by supplier and quality chosen. For a precise quote, check the pricing page or just ask.

iPhone SE (2nd/3rd gen) and iPhone 8#

LCD panel, small format, widely available parts. This is the cheapest screen repair in the entire iPhone range. The repair cost vs device value ratio is often favourable, even on a model that's starting to show its age.

iPhone 11#

The last standard model with an LCD screen. The panel is bigger (6.1 inches) but still affordable. The repair is generally worthwhile, especially if the rest of the device is in good condition.

iPhone 12 and 13 (standard and Mini)#

Move to OLED across the range. The part cost increases noticeably compared with the LCD models. The Mini versions have a slightly cheaper panel thanks to their smaller size, but the gap isn't huge.

This is the tier where repair is very often still worthwhile: these models have several years of iOS updates ahead of them.

iPhone 14 and 15 (standard and Plus)#

The OLED panels on these models are very high quality. Part cost is a step up from the iPhone 12/13, but the repair still makes sense given the high residual value of these devices.

iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max and 15 Pro/Pro Max#

This is where it gets tougher. ProMotion panels (120 Hz) with Dynamic Island cost significantly more. On these models, the part price makes up a significant share of the total budget. The repair is still worthwhile in most cases, but you need to compare with the price of an equivalent refurbished unit.

iPhone 16 and 16 Plus#

Same OLED technology as the standard 14/15, A18 chip. Repairability continues from the previous generations, parts are gradually becoming more available. The cost stays in the same range as the standard iPhone 14/15.

iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max#

Apple slightly increases the sizes (6.3 and 6.9 inches). The A18 Pro ProMotion panels are still expensive. The 16 Pro introduces a Camera Control button, an extra ribbon cable not to damage during disassembly. These models remain expensive to repair in 2026, with parts still in limited supply.

iPhone 17, 17 Air and 17 Pro/Pro Max#

The 2025 line-up. The iPhone 17 Air (ultra-thin, replacing the Plus) imposes a very compact chassis that complicates certain repairs, notably battery replacement. The 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max (A19 Pro chip) stay in line with previous Pro generations: expensive ProMotion panels, Dynamic Island, parts still hard to source = the highest repair costs in the range in 2026.

Battery: a more predictable cost#

Battery replacement is more uniform across models. The part itself costs significantly less than a screen, and labour is similar. It's often the most worthwhile repair you can do on an iPhone, a device with a new battery gets a second youth.

When to replace the battery? Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Health. Below 80% maximum capacity, replacement is recommended. Below 75%, it's urgent, daily runtime becomes painful and performance is throttled by iOS.

Original vs compatible parts: what really changes#

This is a topic where I have a firm opinion after years of practice.

Official Apple parts offer perfect integration (True Tone, no iOS alert message), but at prices that often make the repair barely worthwhile against a refurbished unit. Apple charges between €260 and over €500 for a screen depending on the model, excluding labour.

Premium compatible parts : the ones I use at the workshop, offer display quality very close to the original for a fraction of the price. Since iOS 15, Apple shows a message indicating that a non-certified part is in use, but it doesn't affect functionality at all. It's cosmetic.

Low-end parts are to be avoided. A €20 screen from a generic site will give imprecise touch, washed-out colours, and a lifespan of a few months. False economy.

When the repair isn't worth it#

There are cases where I'll bluntly recommend not repairing:

• The model no longer receives iOS updates. iPhone 7 and earlier in 2026, even repaired, the device is on borrowed time. Apps will soon stop being compatible.
• Several repairs stacking up. Cracked screen + dead battery + faulty button = a total that often exceeds the value of the device.
• The repair cost exceeds 50% of the price of an equivalent refurbished unit. That's my rule of thumb. Beyond that, replacement is more rational.
• Traces of water damage on the logic board. Even if the phone still works, oxidation keeps spreading. Replacing the screen doesn't fix the underlying problem.

The right reflex: diagnose before deciding#

The classic trap is deciding blindly, either by repairing a device that doesn't deserve it, or by ditching an iPhone that could have been brought back to life for a reasonable amount.

A full diagnosis takes ten minutes: battery health, logic board check, sensor tests, overall assessment. It's the only way to get a reliable opinion.

1. 1
   Identify your exact model: Settings → General → About → Model Name.
2. 2
   Check battery health: Settings → Battery → Battery Health. Note the maximum capacity percentage.
3. 3
   Estimate residual value: look up the price of your model as a grade-B refurbished unit on a trusted site (Back Market, Certideal, etc.).
4. 4
   Compare: if the estimated repair exceeds 50% of that price, replacement deserves to be considered. Below that, repair is probably the right call.
5. 5
   Confirm with a professional diagnosis, a technician will spot things invisible from the outside (oxidation, fragile ribbon cables, worn connectors).

In summary#

The key is to never decide without the right information. The exact model, battery health, the presence or absence of invisible damage, all of that completely changes the calculation.

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