25 May The Most Expensive Phone Repairs and How to Avoid Them
The cost of repairing your smartphone can be expensive. Whether or not it’s worth it depends on your circumstances.
Often, it’s cheaper to repair your phone than buy a new one. However, there are some repairs that simply aren’t worth the cost. Here are some of them.
1. Cracked Screen
A cracked screen is one of the most common phone repair issues. Whether it’s a small crack or a shattered display, it can be difficult to use your smartphone when it’s cracked. Plus, a cracked screen can expose internal parts to moisture and dust and make it more difficult to operate.
It’s also not comfortable to have your fingers run into glass fragments. Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to get your smartphone screen replaced at most third-party repair shops. Repairs through the original manufacturer, like Apple or Samsung, will usually cost more, but may be covered by your warranty.
If your cracked screen is preventing you from using your phone, consider repairing it or upgrading to a newer model. The good news is that the average price of a new Apple or Samsung smartphone is less than half the cost of repairing or replacing its screen. In fact, some smartphones are even cheaper to repair or upgrade if you’re willing to go the DIY route. But beware of attempting repairs without the proper tools, as this can cause additional damage to your device and potentially void any warranties you have on it.
2. Broken Camera
Whether it’s from a bump or a drop, a broken camera is one of the most frustrating smartphone problems to deal with. It can ruin a photo or video shoot, leaving you with only blurry or dark images to work with. Fortunately, there are several ways to fix the problem.
The first option is to replace the camera lens. You can find DIY tutorials on sites like iFixit that teach you how to replace the camera lens in various iPhone models. However, if your phone is still under warranty, you should take it to an Apple Store or an authorized service provider to avoid voiding the warranty.
Another option is to buy a third-party repair service. These services offer a range of iPhone repairs and often have physical stores you can visit. However, beware that some third-party repair services may charge a premium for their work.
3. Broken Speaker
If your phone has muffled or distorted audio, it’s time to bring it to a repair shop. A broken speaker can make it difficult to listen to music, use the speakerphone for calls or hear notifications.
Cellphone speakers are often exposed to a variety of environmental factors, including dust and debris that can damage or wear out the cones inside them. The resulting cracks, dents and holes in the speaker can lead to muffled or distorted sounds that can interfere with your enjoyment of the device.
To fix a broken speaker, you’ll need to carefully remove any fabric covers or faceplates that protect the cone from the rest of the device. This can be tricky and could lead to further damage, so it’s usually best to visit a professional service that can safely access the speaker without risking other components.
A broken speaker can be expensive to fix, but it’s important to weigh your options before deciding whether to repair or replace your phone. If your old phone is at or near the end of its lifecycle, it may make more sense to buy a cheap replacement on Swappa instead.
4. Broken Battery
The battery is a vital component of any cell phone, and one that’s damaged can cause some serious problems. One of the most common signs that your battery is damaged is that it won’t hold a charge for very long, making your phone less useful overall. Another sign is if your battery overheats while charging, which can damage the battery and other components in your phone.
If your battery is damaged, you should stop using it as soon as possible and get it replaced. Leaving a faulty battery in your device can lead to overheating and fires, which are both dangerous for you and other users.
The cost of a broken battery will vary depending on the type of battery in your phone and where you get it repaired. Generally speaking, simple fixes will cost less than complex cell phone repairs, so shopping around for the best price is always a good idea.
5. Broken Camera Lens
Getting your phone camera lens cracked is a very painful thing to deal with. Luckily, this is a repair that’s easily avoidable. Just take extra care when handling your phone, and you won’t have to worry about it. Make sure to put on a protective case that elevates the lens away from hard surfaces, and don’t carry it in your pocket where it might be exposed to sand or small particles.
If you find yourself with a broken lens, it’s best to take your phone to an official repair center as soon as possible. That way, you’ll be sure that the technician is competent and has access to the necessary parts to fix your device. A phone technician from repairxpress yishun can help you get your phone back to good condition.
Another thing to keep in mind is that sometimes your lens might just need a clean. It’s very easy for dust or other debris to get on the camera’s contact pins, so it’s not always a sign that your lens is damaged beyond repair. If you’re experiencing blurry or out-of-focus images, try gently cleaning the lens with a soft cloth and retesting your camera.
6. Broken Speaker Lens
Liquid damage isn’t covered by most warranties, and it can be quite expensive to fix. If your smartphone gets wet, make sure to dry it out as soon as possible and don’t plug in a charger or expose it to the sun. You can try to do this yourself with a hair dryer and some rice, but it’s best to visit an expert who can use a method called deoxidation, which removes all traces of rust and verdigris.
Typically, repair costs for this issue will be between $50 and $100, but that might not be worth it if you’re already considering getting a new phone. Figure out whether a repair or a replacement makes sense using our handy repair cost calculator. Then, check out what’s available on Swappa to find the perfect mobile device for you!
7. Broken Battery
A broken battery is perhaps the most frustrating phone repair to deal with. After all, most mobile devices run on lithium-ion batteries that will eventually wear out and need replacement. Unfortunately, fixing a broken battery can be quite expensive, especially on an older smartphone.
The best way to avoid a broken battery is to keep an eye out for signs that it’s on its last legs. A common sign is that your device can’t make it through a full charging cycle in the amount of time it normally takes to charge. A more dangerous sign is that the battery overheats while charging, or becomes extremely hot during normal use.
Another way to avoid a broken battery is to buy a refurbished phone or smartphone on Swappa instead of getting it repaired. Depending on the model of your phone, it may be more cost effective to buy a new or used one than paying for repairs. Plus, a new or refurbished smartphone will likely have up to date software that you won’t be able to enjoy with an older phone.
8. Broken Speaker
A broken speaker can leave your phone sounding muffled and distorted. A lot of things can cause a broken speaker, such as spilling liquids or not using a protective case. If you notice that your sound quality has diminished, it’s a good idea to bring your phone in for repairs.
Speaker vents can become clogged with makeup, dead skin cells, pocket lint, or other debris. The best way to avoid this problem is to use a clean, dry microfiber cloth or cotton swab to wipe the speaker and the vents. You should also avoid using compressed air or chemicals to clean your device, as this can damage the internal components.
Fixing a headphone jack isn’t cheap, with typical repair costs ranging from $60-$100 depending on the model of phone. Since most phones with headphone jacks are on the older end of the spectrum, it may not make sense to spend so much money fixing a phone that’s nearing the end of its life cycle. Instead, you can find a cheaper replacement or upgrade on Swappa.