When a phone breaks, the first thought is to buy a new one. But a repair often costs several times less, and the phone then lasts another couple of years.
A simple rule
If the repair costs less than half the price of a similar phone and you’re happy with the phone itself, it’s almost always worth repairing. If it costs more than half of a new phone, think it over.
When a repair clearly pays off
- The battery drains fast — the most common sign of “ageing”, and a new battery makes the phone feel young again.
- The screen or back glass is cracked but the phone works.
- It won’t charge — cleaning or replacing the charging port is often enough.
- The phone holds lots of data and settings you don’t want to move.
When a new phone makes more sense
- The phone no longer gets system updates and new apps and security matter to you.
- Several things broke at once and the total repair cost is close to a new phone.
- The phone is too slow for your daily needs even after a system restore.
How to decide
My diagnostics are free: I check the phone and tell you what’s broken and what the repair will cost. If it isn’t worth it, I’ll say so — and you won’t pay anything.
