Cracked your iPhone screen and want a straight answer on price? Good. Here's the real breakdown, no runaround.
Apple charges one price. Independent shops charge less, usually a lot less. The right call depends on your model, your warranty status, and what you actually care about.
We've fixed over 220,000 devices since 2011. We see this exact question every day at both our Valdosta and McDonough locations. Here's how the numbers actually shake out in 2026.
What Apple Charges for an iPhone Screen
If you have AppleCare+, Apple's screen repair fee is a flat $29 no matter what model you own, according to Apple's own repair pricing page. That is genuinely the best deal on the planet if you already have the plan.
If you do not have AppleCare+, Apple's out-of-warranty screen pricing looks like this:
- Older models (iPhone SE, 11): roughly $129-$199
- iPhone 12/13 series: roughly $229-$279
- iPhone 14/15 series: roughly $279-$379
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: up to $379
Apple's pricing barely drops as phones age. A five-year-old iPhone 13 screen and a brand new iPhone 15 screen cost close to the same at Apple.
What Independent Shops Charge
This is where the math changes. Independent shops buy screens in volume and don't carry Apple's retail overhead, so the price comes down without the quality dropping, as long as the shop is using good parts.
At Mr Fix It, most iPhone screens run $90-$180 for older and mid-range models, and $150-$250 for current Pro Max models. You get a free diagnosis first, so you know the number before you commit to anything.
Cost Comparison Table
| Model | Apple (AppleCare+) | Apple (out of warranty) | Independent Shop Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 11 | $29 | $129-$199 | $90-$140 |
| iPhone 13 | $29 | $229-$279 | $110-$160 |
| iPhone 15 | $29 | $279-$379 | $140-$210 |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | $29 | $379 | $180-$250 |
Ranges vary by part quality, screen damage severity, and whether the back glass is also cracked. Get a free diagnosis for your exact number.
OEM Screen vs Aftermarket Screen: What's the Difference
This matters more than most people realize.
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) screens are made to the same specs as what shipped in your phone. Color accuracy, touch response, and brightness match the original.
Aftermarket screens are third-party manufactured. Quality varies wildly. A good aftermarket screen is nearly indistinguishable from OEM. A cheap one has washed-out color, laggy touch response, or fails within months.
The part quality matters more than the label. Ask any shop directly what grade of screen they install. We use high-quality OEM and OEM-grade parts because we back every repair with a full year of coverage, and a cheap part would make that warranty a losing bet for us.
When Going to Apple Actually Makes Sense
We'll say it straight: sometimes Apple is the right move.
- You have active AppleCare+. That $29 fee beats anything we can offer. Go to Apple.
- You have an iPhone 12 or newer and are worried about Face ID or True Tone. Some deep repairs on Face ID modules or True Tone calibration are genuinely easier to get right with Apple's proprietary tools. Ask us directly. We'll tell you if your specific repair is one where Apple has an edge, because a repair that breaks Face ID is worse than an expensive one.
- Your phone is still under its original 1-year Apple warranty for a non-accidental defect. That is covered free by Apple, full stop.
For everything else, especially an iPhone 11, 12, or 13 with a cracked screen and no AppleCare+, an independent shop is almost always the smarter financial choice.
Why the 1-Year Warranty Matters
Most repair shops offer a 90-day warranty on parts and labor. We offer a full 1-year warranty on every repair, parts and labor both.
That's not a marketing line. It means if your screen has a defect, a dead pixel, or a touch issue that shows up in month four or month ten, we fix it at no charge. A 90-day warranty barely covers you past the first few weeks of normal use.
What Drives the Price Difference
A few things explain why the same screen repair costs so differently depending on where you go.
- Retail overhead. Apple Store locations carry higher lease and staffing costs that get built into every service fee.
- Part sourcing. Independent shops buy screens directly from manufacturers in volume, cutting out several markup layers.
- Labor model. Apple technicians follow a fixed corporate rate. Independent shops set local, competitive pricing.
None of this means independent repair is lower quality. It means the price reflects a different business model, not a different result.
Questions to Ask Before You Choose a Shop
Not all independent shops are equal. Before you commit to any repair, ask:
- What grade of screen are you installing, OEM or aftermarket?
- What's the warranty length on parts and labor?
- Is the diagnostic free?
- How long will the repair actually take?
- Will Face ID and True Tone still work correctly after the repair?
A shop that answers these clearly and confidently is one worth trusting with your phone.
Bottom Line
For older and mid-range iPhones without AppleCare+, an independent shop like Mr Fix It saves you real money, often $100 or more, with a repair that's just as good and backed for a full year. If you've got active AppleCare+, use it. Everything else, walk in and ask.
We've fixed over 220,000 devices since 2011 and hold a 4.9-star rating across 876+ Valdosta reviews and 996+ McDonough reviews. We are an independent shop, not Apple Authorized, and we're upfront about that.
Walk in for a free diagnosis. No appointment needed, most repairs are done same-day. Visit us in Valdosta at 1835 Norman Dr Suite A, or call (229) 469-7234. In the McDonough area, find us at 120 S Point Blvd, or call (770) 478-6590. Open Monday through Saturday, 10 to 6, closed Sunday.