When you get a screen replaced, you will often be offered a choice, or quoted very different prices by different shops, and it nearly always comes down to the type of screen being fitted. The words get thrown around loosely, so here is what they actually mean and how to choose the right one for you.
The main screen types
- Genuine (original) screens. The exact same part the manufacturer uses, either pulled from an original unit or made to the same spec. Perfect colour, brightness and touch, and the highest cost.
- Premium OLED or soft OLED. High-quality replacements that use the same OLED display technology as the original. To your eye they look and feel like genuine, with deep blacks, vivid colour and smooth touch, at a more sensible price. This is the sweet spot for most people.
- Basic or LCD copies. The cheapest option, often a lower-grade LCD standing in for an OLED. They can look dimmer, show slightly washed-out colour, feel less responsive and drain the battery a little faster.
What you actually notice day to day
A good premium OLED and a genuine screen are very hard to tell apart in normal use. Where you do notice a difference is with the cheapest copies: colours that look a touch off, lower brightness in sunlight, touch that is not quite as crisp, and sometimes faster battery drain because the panel is less efficient. On phones with an always-on display or True Tone, low-grade copies can also struggle with those features.
Why the cheapest is not always cheapest
A bargain screen that looks dull, stops responding in a corner, or cracks again easily is a false economy, because you end up paying for a second repair. A quality screen fitted properly lasts, looks right, and is backed by a warranty. That is why we focus on genuine and premium screens rather than the throwaway copies, and it is why we can offer a lifetime warranty on our premium screen replacements.
Which should you choose?
For most people a premium OLED is the smart choice, you get the look and feel of the original without the top-end price. If you want an exact factory part and do not mind paying more, genuine is there. We would only steer you away from the very cheapest copies, because they tend to cost more in the long run.
Get the right screen, fitted right
Whichever you choose, the fitting matters as much as the part. Our technicians fit and test every screen properly before you leave, and we confirm the price and the screen type upfront so you know exactly what you are getting. You can get a screen repair quote here, at our High Wycombe shop or on your doorstep.
Need it fixed for real?
Instant Mobile Fix repairs phones, tablets, laptops and consoles in High Wycombe. Free diagnostic, upfront quote, no fix no fee.