Broken iPhone 7 Screen: Sell or Fix?
If your iPhone 7 screen is cracked and you’re not sure whether to fix it before you sell it, start by comparing its broken price versus its net value repaired:
Price Broken VS Net Value Repaired (price in “good” condition – cost of repair)
In general, you can get the most money if you repair your iPhone yourself before you sell it, but professional repair isn’t worth it. Once you factor in the repair cost, you’ll get more for a broken iPhone 7.
For example, a 32 GB iPhone 7 in good condition is worth $175. It costs around $20 to repair it yourself, so you could cash in for $155. Professional screen replacement runs between $99 and $149, which would net $26 to $76; but you could sell it broken for $92.
Here’s how to compare your options and get the most money if you have a broken iPhone 7 screen.
Determine iPhone 7 screen replacement cost
You have two options for fixing your iPhone 7 screen: do-it-yourself or paid repair services. The DIY approach is cheaper, but if you’re not experienced you run the risk of causing additional damage. Aftermarket iPhone 7 LCD and digitizers run between $20 and $25, and you can find repair toolkits for around $5 to $10.If you decide to go the DIY route, you can find iPhone 7 screen replacement guides on sites like YouTube and iFixit.
Paid iPhone 7 repair services cost more, but you won’t need to worry about additional damage. Many repair companies offer guarantees and warranties for extra peace-of-mind.
Expect to pay between $99 and $170 for iPhone 7 screen repair, less if it’s under warranty: $29 if you have AppleCare+.
iPhone 7 screen repair costs compared (LCD & digitizer)
MODEL | DIY Repair Cost (parts) | Repair Service Cost |
iPhone 7 | Repairs Universe: $20 DirectFix: $22 (aftermarket) to $45 (premium) iFixit: $65 | Apple Store & Best Buy: $149 (or $29 with AppleCare+) iResQ: $99 iCracked: Around $110 |
iPhone 7 Plus | Repairs Universe: $22 DirectFix: $24 (aftermarket) to $58 (premium) iFixit: $70 | Apple Store & Best Buy: $169 (or $29 with AppleCare+) iResQ: $109 iCracked: Around $110 |
Calculate the net value of your iPhone 7 after screen replacement
Now that you know the price to replace your iPhone 7 screen, you can calculate its net value as such:iPhone 7 Price – Cost of Repair = NET VALUE
Here are some example prices for iPhone 7 models in “good” condition on the Verizon network:
MODEL | PRICE |
iPhone 7 32 GB | $175 |
iPhone 7 128 GB | $195 |
iPhone 7 256 GB | $214 |
iPhone 7 Plus 32 GB | $265 |
iPhone 7 Plus 128 GB | $285 |
iPhone 7 Plus 256 GB | $305 |
Next, calculate the net value based on your selected repair method. The net value is how much you could get if you fix your iPhone 7 screen before you sell it.
MODEL | REPAIR METHOD | VALUE | – REPAIR COST | NET VALUE |
iPhone 7 32 GB | DIY | $175 | $20 | $155 |
iPhone 7 128 GB | DIY | $195 | $20 | $175 |
iPhone 7 256 GB | DIY | $214 | $20 | $194 |
iPhone 7 Plus 32 GB | DIY | $265 | $22 | $243 |
iPhone 7 Plus 128 GB | DIY | $285 | $22 | $263 |
iPhone 7 Plus 256 GB | DIY | $305 | $22 | $283 |
iPhone 7 32 GB | Repair Service | $175 | $99 | $76 |
iPhone 7 128 GB | Repair Service | $195 | $99 | $96 |
iPhone 7 256 GB | Repair Service | $214 | $99 | $115 |
iPhone 7 Plus 32 GB | Repair Service | $265 | $109 | $156 |
iPhone 7 Plus 128 GB | Repair Service | $285 | $109 | $176 |
iPhone 7 Plus 256 GB | Repair Service | $305 | $109 | $196 |
Find out how much a broken iPhone 7 is worth
Use Flipsy to see how much your iPhone 7 is worth with a broken screen. For example:MODEL | PRICE AS-IS (BROKEN) |
iPhone 7 32 GB | $92 |
iPhone 7 128 GB | $102 |
iPhone 7 256 GB | $112 |
iPhone 7 Plus 32 GB | $112 |
iPhone 7 Plus 128 GB | $127 |
iPhone 7 Plus 256 GB | $137 |
Compare iPhone 7 prices, repaired VS broken
Finally, you need to compare the net value of your iPhone 7 repaired versus broken. This makes it easy to see which option maximizes your resale value. Here’s a breakdown:MODEL | REPAIR METHOD | NET VALUE AFTER REPAIR | BROKEN PRICE | VERDICT |
iPhone 7 32 GB | DIY | $155 | $92 | Repair, then sell |
iPhone 7 128 GB | DIY | $175 | $102 | Repair, then sell |
iPhone 7 256 GB | DIY | $194 | $112 | Repair, then sell |
iPhone 7 Plus 32 GB | DIY | $243 | $112 | Repair, then sell |
iPhone 7 Plus 128 GB | DIY | $263 | $127 | Repair, then sell |
iPhone 7 Plus 256 GB | DIY | $283 | $137 | Repair, then sell |
iPhone 7 32 GB | Repair Service | $76 | $92 | Sell |
iPhone 7 128 GB | Repair Service | $96 | $102 | Sell |
iPhone 7 256 GB | Repair Service | $115 | $112 | Sell |
iPhone 7 Plus 32 GB | Repair Service | $156 | $112 | Sell |
iPhone 7 Plus 128 GB | Repair Service | $176 | $127 | Sell |
iPhone 7 Plus 256 GB | Repair Service | $196 | $137 | Sell |
As the table illustrates, you’ll get the most money if you repair your iPhone 7 yourself; however, if you’re not comfortable tearing into your phone or simply don’t want to hassle with it, you’re better off selling it broken than springing for a repair service.
There is one final consideration: how long you intend to keep your iPhone 7. If you plan to keep it for another year or two, it might be worth paying for repair. If you’re intent on selling it, use the above table to decide whether to fix it first or sell it with a broken screen.
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