How Much Does It Cost to Replace iPhone 7 Screens?

Few issues are more frustrating with a smartphone than an unresponsive or cracked screen. While you have plenty of repair options available to you, they have varying levels of effectiveness and affordability.

When you need to fix your iPhone 7, there are plenty of pros and cons to Apple’s in-house repair services, third-party repair shops, and DIY methods. The trick is determining which one is the best choice for your budget and circumstances.

About the iPhone 7

The Apple iPhone 7 made its debut in 2016, with plenty of upgrades compared to the previous models. Compared to the iPhone 6 Series, the iPhone 7 added new color choices, improved water resistance, and more powerful graphics and system processors. In addition, the iPhone 7 was the first iPhone model to include 1080p HD video capabilities for the front-facing camera.

While the iPhone 7 was a relatively popular device in its heyday, Apple has released quite a few newer models since its debut. Furthermore, Apple discontinued iOS support for the iPhone 7 in 2022. In other words, this smartphone certainly had its time in the sun, but if you’re still using an iPhone 7, it might be time to look into an upgrade.

Everything You Need to Know About iPhone Screen Repair Costs

If you have a broken screen on your iPhone 7, you have several options for fixing it. The main variable regarding the cost of screen replacement is which type of repair shop you choose. The parts themselves have relatively static costs — the big difference is usually how much you spend on labor.

The extent of damage can also play a part, as a shattered screen may have embedded small glass particles in the device, causing an array of associated issues. Meanwhile, a small crack in the display may be a relatively simple fix.

When deciding where to get your iPhone 7 fixed, you’ll need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each option — the best choice for you may vary based on your budget and preferences. Should you spend the extra money to have Apple’s first-party experts attach your replacement screen? How much money can you save with a third-party electronic repair shop? And is the DIY option even worth a try?

If your display’s image quality isn’t up to snuff, answering these questions can help you make the best choice for iPhone 7 screen repairs.

The Varying Costs of iPhone 7 Screen Replacement Options

First off, we’d like to briefly discuss AppleCare+ before we dig into the details of your choices. If you have AppleCare+, there’s really no reason to entertain any other options. After all, Apple’s first-party protection plan provides in-house screen repairs for the very reasonable rate of $29.

Now that that’s out of the way, we can tackle the specifics and expenses of your three main choices. Which one sounds like the right option for you?

First-Party Repairs: Apple Store, Authorized Service Providers, or Mail-In Service

Apple itself offers three options for first-party iPhone 7 screen repairs. You can bring your device to an Apple Store, take it to an Apple-authorized service provider, or ship it to Apple via mail. With any of these options, you might spend a bit more than you would at an independent repair shop or with the DIY route.

That said, iPhone 7 screen repairs aren’t very expensive compared to fixing many other iPhone models, so the math works out in their favor more often than not.

Pros

Even without AppleCare+, Apple quoted us a price of $129. When you consider that Apple charges several hundred dollars to fix screens on some other models, this looks like a pretty good deal. Usually, Apple’s first-party repair costs are more of a con than a pro, but not for the iPhone 7!

We also generally appreciate how transparent Apple is about its repair pricing. You can look up your model on their website, choose the problems you’re experiencing from a drop-down menu, and get an exact quote — the entire process takes about 30 seconds.

It’s also nice that Apple gives customers three distinct choices for accessing their first-party repairs. You can visit your nearest Apple Store, use an Apple-Authorized Service Provider, or send it to Apple in the mail. Not everyone lives near an Apple Store, so we appreciate having the other two options.

The assurance that Apple always uses genuine first-party components is a welcome attribute as well. Your new screen will be the same as the old one, with the obvious difference that the new one will actually work. When you have Apple repair your device, the end result is a like-new phone that functions exactly like one that came fresh out of the box.

Cons

Not all iPhone 7 service costs are quite as affordable as screen repairs. While battery replacement is also reasonably priced at $69, some other damages can cost up to $399 to repair. In this situation, it’s almost certainly a better choice to upgrade to a new device instead of continuing to repair your iPhone 7.

The other disadvantage to Apple’s in-house repairs is the potential inconvenience. While we appreciate the option to get your phone repaired via mail, it can take a few weeks. Apple told us it takes up to nine business days to complete repairs after they receive an iPhone 7. When you factor in shipping times, this option might have you waiting for your phone for quite a while.

Third-Party Repair Centers

Although we’ve already mentioned that Apple’s in-house repair costs for iPhone 7 screen repairs are pretty reasonable, you can still save some money using your local third-party repair shop. Whether you choose a locally owned independent repair store or a major repair shop chain like uBreakiFix, weigh the following advantages and disadvantages before finalizing your decision.

Pros

Simply put, third-party repairs are usually cheaper than Apple’s support services. We reached out to a few repair shops and got quotes ranging from $75 to $120. Even though this isn’t a huge cost savings over Apple’s $129 price point, money doesn’t grow on trees, and we’ll take every extra dollar we can get.

There can also be a convenience advantage associated with independent repair shops. After all, it seems like every small town has at least one or two electronics repair centers, and more people live near one of these stores than an official Apple location. If you don’t live near an Apple-Authorized Service Provider, you could save a considerable amount of time using a third-party repair shop instead of driving all the way to your nearest Apple Store or waiting weeks to get your phone back through the mail.

Furthermore, first-party Apple techs aren’t the only ones with the know-how and expertise required to fix an iPhone 7 screen. The technicians working in independent repair stores are often highly talented, with plenty of knowledge required to work on all types of cell phones.

Speaking of, do you have any other broken electronics lying around collecting dust? Bring them with you to your local repair shop and get them all fixed at once! While Apple employees will only fix their own devices, the technicians at an independent shop can also fix devices manufactured by Samsung, Google, and many other companies.

Cons

Sometimes, independent repair shops will charge an additional surcharge to use genuine Apple components instead of third-party parts. This can be a big deal, as the usage of non-Apple parts can drastically reduce the resale value of an iPhone, and it can even void your warranty in some situations.

Remember how we said in the previous section that one repair shop quoted us $75 to perform iPhone 7 screen repairs? As it turns out, that was the cost to use third-party components. If we want a genuine Apple screen (and screws, membranes, etc.), that $75 price point jumps up to $105. Sure, it’s still cheaper than the $129 Apple charges, but it’s less than we thought we’d save using an independent repair shop.

Finally, one of the pros of third-party repair shops is also a con! Because the techs at these shops work on a seemingly endless variety of electronics, they may not have the Apple-specific knowledge base of an official Apple employee. After all, if one person works on nothing but iPhones all day, every day, and another person spends one hour working on iPhones and seven hours working on other devices, which one do you think has more expertise for iPhone 7 screen repairs?

The DIY Option (…Is Often a Very Bad Idea!)

If you’re a particularly tech-savvy individual, you might think that a do-it-yourself screen repair is a good idea. Well, it isn’t! Sure, if you perform the repairs exactly as you’re supposed to, you can save a few bucks. But the potential disadvantages of this option get overwhelming in a big hurry.

Pros

Theoretically, the DIY route could cost as little as $50. If everything goes well, you could save yourself a small but not insignificant amount of money performing your own repairs. If saving money is your absolute highest priority and you’re highly skilled with technology, this is technically an option. That said, as you’ll see in a moment, it’s rarely worth it.

Cons

The potential to cause accidental damage while repairing your own phone is very high. Disassembling and reassembling an old phone has dozens of steps, and each one of them requires keeping track of tiny screws and other miniature components. Even the process of removing the old screen has more than 10 steps and involves a bunch of tricky moves, like detaching the display using a suction cup or removing the membranes and connectors from the Home button. If you make one seemingly small mistake, you could mess up the entire process, causing more issues than you could ever hope to fix yourself.

Furthermore, let’s say you do a perfect job and fix your iPhone 7 screen exactly as you’d hoped. Congratulations — you just decreased the resale value of your phone. There are plenty of used phones out there, and the vast majority of buyers would prefer buying one that wasn’t opened up and tinkered with by its previous owner. The fact of the matter is, the moment you open your iPhone, its resale value drops like an anchor.

Finally, the DIY option typically voids your remaining warranty. In other words, if your device has any covered damage in the future, Apple will no longer cover it because you violated the warranty terms by fixing the screen yourself.

How to Protect Your iPhone 7 Screen

The best kind of screen replacement or repair is the kind that never needs to happen! Here’s a handful of tips that can extend the lifespan of your iPhone display.

• Use a screen protector that can prevent dings, dents, and scratches. A high-quality protector can minimize the effects of dropping your phone, scraping your keys across the display, and more.
• Keep it in a sturdy case that can absorb shock from accidental drops. Some cases also enhance the iPhone’s water resistance, too!
• Never store your phone in the same pocket as your keys or other sharp objects (pocket knives, nail files, etc.). If you do, you risk scratching your display.
• Consider buying AppleCare+ or another protection plan. This way, even if you do cause damage to your iPhone screen in the future, you’ll only need to pay a $29 fee to get it fixed.

Sell Your Old iPhone 7 With ecoATM!

If you’re still using an iPhone 7, it might be time to consider replacing it with a newer model, whether it has screen damage or not. Even upgrading to a used version of a more recent model can make day-to-day life much simpler to navigate.

Here at ecoATM, we’d love to help you get rid of your iPhone 7 in an environmentally responsible manner. Whether your device has a shattered screen, a dysfunctional ear speaker, or a drained battery, we’ll recycle it on your behalf for free! We even offer cash for some damaged phones, based on whether we think we can resell them or not.

To get started, visit your nearest ecoATM kiosk. With over 6,000 locations in the U.S., you’re bound to find one in a retail center near you. Connect your phone to the kiosk, and you’ll receive an instant cash offer. Simply accept our offer, leave your phone at the kiosk, and walk away with cash in your pocket. It doesn’t get much easier than that!

We’ve already helped recycle 50+ million tablets and smartphones, and you can help us reach our goal of 100 million recycled devices. Get some extra cash toward your next device and help ecoATM save the planet, all in one easy and convenient transaction. Visit our website to find the kiosk near you and experience the ecoATM difference today!