Broken Phone Display: Repair or Replacement?
Mobile device displays, despite their slim profile, are constructed from multiple layers:
- Backlight Layer – This is the first layer of the phone’s display, emitting light from behind the screen. This layer is typically made up of LED diodes.
- Polarizer Layer – This layer introduces light polarization. The polarizer is responsible for reflecting light rays in a specific direction, which is essential for generating the image.
- Color Filter Layer – This layer contains color filters that determine the color of the pixels on the screen. Each pixel consists of three subpixels (red, green, and blue), and the other known colors are generated by allowing the appropriate combination of light to pass through the color filters (similar to mixing colors with modeling clay to create a different color).
- Semi-Transparent Electrodes Layer – This layer contains electrodes that control the passage of light through the LCD matrix. These electrodes form a grid that directs the flow of liquid crystals in the matrix, thereby controlling the display of the image.
- Liquid Crystal Layer – This layer consists of millions of microscopic crystals that change their orientation in response to voltage changes on the electrodes. These crystals control the passage of light through the color filters, and combined with electrode control, they create the image on the screen.
Due to the complex construction of smartphone displays, from an economic standpoint, it is more cost-effective to replace the display rather than attempt a repair. This approach benefits the client financially and saves time for the phone service center entrusted with your mobile device.
Often, when a phone is dropped, the front glass (protective or digitizer) gets damaged while the display itself remains functional. In such cases, there is an opportunity for a quick and relatively inexpensive (as detailed below) replacement, restoring the phone to its original condition.
What Does Replacing the Front Glass of a Phone Involve?
When the front glass of a phone is damaged but the display remains functional (no cracks, spills, or discoloration), the repair process can begin.
In my service center, I always start the front glass replacement with a thorough diagnosis and an assessment of the repair’s cost-effectiveness.
To replace a shattered front glass in a phone, you need to:
- Disassemble the Device: Remove the device’s casing and, depending on the model, most of the components to access the display.
- Separate the Display and Shattered Glass: Using a separator, heat the device and then use tools to extract the display along with the shattered glass from the phone’s frame.
- Remove the Damaged Glass from the Display: Place the screen on a heated separator, activate the pump to “suck” the phone in, preventing movement during separation.
- Carefully Cut the Adhesive Layer: Using specialized tools and chemicals, meticulously cut through the adhesive between the damaged glass and the display.
- Clean the Display: Utilize a special device and chemicals to remove any remaining adhesive residue from the display.
- Test the Display: Connect the display to a tester and power it on to check for proper color display, absence of bad pixels, and discoloration.
- Attach the New Glass: If the display functions correctly, proceed to connect it with the new glass. Position the display within the phone’s casing, clean it, remove the protective film from the new OCA adhesive, and correctly place it on the display.
- Use a Vacuum Pressure Press: With both elements connected, use a vacuum pressure press to soften the adhesive with heat and then apply high pressure to bond the display with the new glass, creating a vacuum to eliminate any air bubbles between the bonded layers.
- Final Testing and Assembly: Test the refurbished display once more to ensure everything is in order, then proceed to reassemble the phone and hand it over to the client 🙂
How Much Does Replacing the Front Glass of a Phone Cost?
The cost of replacing a shattered front glass in a phone can vary depending on the device model, brand, and the region where the repair is performed. Typically, this cost ranges from 100 to several hundred złotys, but in some cases, it can be significantly higher.
Prices may also vary depending on whether the glass in the repaired model serves purely a protective function or additionally functions as a digitizer (touch layer). Replacing just the glass is usually cheaper than replacing the digitizer.
It’s important to keep in mind that cheap repairs often come with low quality and unprofessional services, which can pose safety risks to the user (such as hand cuts if the screen is improperly glued) and affect the device’s further functionality. Therefore, it is crucial to choose a reputable computer service center with experienced technicians and a quality repair warranty.
