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ahmadka

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 16, 2012
28
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Hi guys, I accidentally broke inside layer of my iPhone 5's screen, and so I need suggestions on which replacement screen to get now ... The outside glass, buttons, everything else is fine, just the inner display layer broke .... After doing a Google search, it seems there are tons of options to choose from, most of which seem to be unbanned 3rd party replacement screens from China ... So now I don't know which to try out ..

Some people say that replacement screens will be of lower quality than the original screen (colors can appear distorted from side angles, etc.) ... Is there any way to avoid this ? I want a replacement screen which is just as good as the original one ..

Also, what is the difference between aftermarket and OEM replacement screens ? Aren't they the same ?

Any suggestions ?
 
Hi guys, I accidentally broke inside layer of my iPhone 5's screen, and so I need suggestions on which replacement screen to get now ... The outside glass, buttons, everything else is fine, just the inner display layer broke .... After doing a Google search, it seems there are tons of options to choose from, most of which seem to be unbanned 3rd party replacement screens from China ... So now I don't know which to try out ..

Some people say that replacement screens will be of lower quality than the original screen (colors can appear distorted from side angles, etc.) ... Is there any way to avoid this ? I want a replacement screen which is just as good as the original one ..

Also, what is the difference between aftermarket and OEM replacement screens ? Aren't they the same ?

Any suggestions ?

I would venture to say that all 3rd party screens are inferior to the original Apple screen. If you want to have the same quality screen as the original, you could buy an iPhone for parts off eBay or have Apple replace it for a fee.
 
I would venture to say that all 3rd party screens are inferior to the original Apple screen. If you want to have the same quality screen as the original, you could buy an iPhone for parts off eBay or have Apple replace it for a fee.

Getting it repaired from Apple directly would obviously be my first choice, but there aren't any authorized iPhone repair centers in my country (not in neighbouring countries too) .. So I have to resort to other means of getting it repaired ..

I am currently trying to determine where to buy the screen from .. Any suggestions .. ?

I'd really like to get a confirmed original OEM replacement screen, even if it's used (but should be 100% working) ..
 
I wouldn't worry about it too much. Some of the OEM screens are junk anyway and aren't worth the premium (I'm talking about you, pink tinted screen...)
 
Buy a cheaper but good quality aftermarket screen.

Okay .. Any recommendations ? There seem to be tons of websites selling them, which makes it impossibly hard to narrow down the choices. Also, everyone claims that their replacement screens are original OEM parts :p
 
Obviously there are going to be some differences from the OEM to after market screens but I'm sure there are a lot of good quality screens that you can get used to/take a small loss since it is a replacement.
 
Obviously there are going to be some differences from the OEM to after market screens but I'm sure there are a lot of good quality screens that you can get used to/take a small loss since it is a replacement.

I agree. But currently I'm wondering where to buy the replacement screen from .. There seem to be so many options, I don't know where to spend money online ?

Any recommendations ?

( .. Please note that I ignore recommendations coming from people with very few posts .. )
 
I agree. But currently I'm wondering where to buy the replacement screen from .. There seem to be so many options, I don't know where to spend money online ?

Any recommendations ?

( .. Please note that I ignore recommendations coming from people with very few posts .. )

Then I sincerely hope you get no help. Get off your high horse. Who are you to sit and act as if you're superior because you have more posts on an internet forum than someone trying to help you?
:rolleyes:
 
Then I sincerely hope you get no help. Get off your high horse. Who are you to sit and act as if you're superior because you have more posts on an internet forum than someone trying to help you?
:rolleyes:

Simply ignore that ... he will quickly realize that every cheap offer for a replacement will lead to problems.

The only valid option is to go to Apple and pay for a proper replacement, because they have to ensure everything is fine afterwards.

I once bought a replacement battery for my iPhone4 that is easy to replace, but it only lasted for a few month.

There are no valid replacement parts that are trustworthy AND cheap.
You get what you pay for...
 
Any recommendations ?

I can't speak to longevity but I recently bought a white iPhone 5 screen from eBay seller, 23_shannon.
The screen came pre-assembled with the home button, camera, earpiece, and all of the cables and it had plastic covers on both the front and back. Very OEM-like.
The quality was way better than the one I got when SquareTrade gave me a warranty replacement.
:mad:
The only thing I didn't like was that it was shipped in a padded mailer with very little protection. Guess I got lucky that it arrived undamaged.
 
Last edited:
Hi guys, I accidentally broke inside layer of my iPhone 5's screen, and so I need suggestions on which replacement screen to get now ... The outside glass, buttons, everything else is fine, just the inner display layer broke .... After doing a Google search, it seems there are tons of options to choose from, most of which seem to be unbanned 3rd party replacement screens from China ... So now I don't know which to try out ..

Some people say that replacement screens will be of lower quality than the original screen (colors can appear distorted from side angles, etc.) ... Is there any way to avoid this ? I want a replacement screen which is just as good as the original one ..

Also, what is the difference between aftermarket and OEM replacement screens ? Aren't they the same ?

Any suggestions ?

I don't recommend those kiosks in the mall that will replace shattered screens. A friend dropped his 5S, we both went to the mall because he needed a quick fix. The cost was $140, however, the "touch" is off and he noticed it wasn't as bright as his original OEM glass screen.
 
Hi guys, I accidentally broke inside layer of my iPhone 5's screen, and so I need suggestions on which replacement screen to get now ... The outside glass, buttons, everything else is fine, just the inner display layer broke .... After doing a Google search, it seems there are tons of options to choose from, most of which seem to be unbanned 3rd party replacement screens from China ... So now I don't know which to try out ..

Some people say that replacement screens will be of lower quality than the original screen (colors can appear distorted from side angles, etc.) ... Is there any way to avoid this ? I want a replacement screen which is just as good as the original one ..

Also, what is the difference between aftermarket and OEM replacement screens ? Aren't they the same ?

Any suggestions ?

I took a chance with a vendor I've never ordered parts from before to repair an iPhone 5 screen a few months ago. I honestly cannot tell much deviation of color reproduction or quality with the finished repaired product. Here are before/after pics attached.

I hear that a lot of replacement screens incorporate actual OEM screens from broken display assemblies they buy for cheap (digitizer integrated in-cell, so just the outer glass lens damaged). They just replace the front glass with a new one, and possibly the frame. I'm sure a lot of other vendors provide actual unused, brand new parts, but I can't speak for any vendor on the real deal. Sent from my MacBook Pro.
 

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I agree. But currently I'm wondering where to buy the replacement screen from .. There seem to be so many options, I don't know where to spend money online ?

Any recommendations ?

( .. Please note that I ignore recommendations coming from people with very few posts .. )

When I broke my screen I actually got it replaced by using groupon. I would search through those and yelp (that's how my sister got hers replaced). My sister thought her new screen was even better than the original. I'm not sure where you're located but people's reviewers are the most honest in my opinion.
 
My out of warranty Iphone 5 screen is cracked. I need a new one, and there a tons of ebay and amazon. Looking for a good aftermarket one, b ut there are thousands to choose from.
 
The only oem screens that exist are ones taken from other iPhones. There is no such thing as an oem screen that did not come from an already existing iphone any website that says otherwise is lying.
 
I would venture to say that all 3rd party screens are inferior to the original Apple screen. If you want to have the same quality screen as the original, you could buy an iPhone for parts off eBay or have Apple replace it for a fee.

Have to disagree. I have an iPhone repair biz and you wouldn't know the difference.
 
Have to disagree. I have an iPhone repair biz and you wouldn't know the difference.

anyone who ever worked at the genius bar at an apple store and is certified would know the difference in 5 seconds. theres key things to look for. i would figure out a non oem apple screen quick
 
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anyone who ever worked at the genius bar at an apple store and is certified would know the difference in 5 seconds. theres key things to look for. i would figure out a non oem apple screen quick

I would figure it out too but 99.9% of my customers don't care they want their screen replaced and I offer a great price on the spot repair.
 
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