iPhone screen replacement

Adrianr · 27 Oct 2009 at 22:33

My iPhone has unfortunately been dropped for the last time, 4ft to a Tescos floor. The screen has now essentially shattered, covered in cracks. Still functions perfectly, just not quite as aesthetically pleasing as it once was. Out of warranty (Not that it would cover it anyway) and no insurance (Because i'm an idiot), any idea how much it costs to replace one of these? Is it easy to do it yourself if I obtain spares from somewhere online? I'm not in Manchester anymore so I can't just pop into the Apple store

meghatronic · 29 Oct 2009 at 01:36

Apple store will do it for £139 I believe.

Google for spares and a guide.

kylew · 29 Oct 2009 at 07:15

You should be able to find everything you need on ebay.

Which iPhone specifically is it? First gen? 3G? 3GS?

Adrianr · 29 Oct 2009 at 10:55

Yeah seem I can get the screen with digitizer for £15 from the bay if i'm prepared to fit it myself. Replaced components in Canon speedlights before, this can't be any harder. It's for a standard 3G.

blaineoliver · 29 Oct 2009 at 11:24

Watch out you dont break the ribbon cable when you fit a new one. Or break the rubber.

kylew · 29 Oct 2009 at 11:26

Should be perfectly fine then, I think there's an issue with the First gen iPhones, something to do with the glass and LCD being part of the same assembly or something.

3Gs are fine though.

kylew · 29 Oct 2009 at 11:26

blaineoliver said:
Watch out you dont break the ribbon cable when you fit a new one. Or break the rubber.

This too, how about ordering a spare ribbon cable if it's not too much extra?

PiKe · 29 Oct 2009 at 11:28

Hardest bit is getting the back off without leaving marks where you've wedged in the screwdriver to pry it off.

kylew · 29 Oct 2009 at 11:29

PiKe said:
Hardest bit is getting the back off without leaving marks where you've wedged in the screwdriver to pry it off.

iPhone spares usually come with plastic tools. If not, use an old credit card or something else that's made from plastic that you can use to wedge it off.

I've actually cut my finger pretty badly getting the back off an original iPhone.

PiKe · 29 Oct 2009 at 11:30

kylew said:
iPhone spares usually come with plastic tools. If not, use an old credit card or something else that's made from plastic that you can use to wedge it off.

Well I want to replace my battery in my 1g but I'm not even going to try because the video tutorials look brutal, the metal back gets bent and all sorts

Adrianr · 29 Oct 2009 at 11:35

PiKe said:
Hardest bit is getting the back off without leaving marks where you've wedged in the screwdriver to pry it off.

I'l need to order a new back too, mines got the usual inch long crack from the dock port and is generally pretty scratched up. I'l be renewing my contract soon for a 3GS, so if I only have to spend £50 getting this 3G upto new condition, it'l sell on the bay for £250. Seems worthwhile to me!

kylew · 29 Oct 2009 at 13:03

PiKe said:
Well I want to replace my battery in my 1g but I'm not even going to try because the video tutorials look brutal, the metal back gets bent and all sorts

Sounds like it's more trouble than it's work.

Luckily, I've just got a, what appears to be a brand new 3G as a replacement, I had loads of bubbles under the screen of my 3G, 5 in total, one at first, and the other 4 popped up randomly over time.

It's still in pristine condition which is nice, my other one was battered

Scratches all over the back, bump, small dents etc.

kylew · 29 Oct 2009 at 13:03

Adrianr said:
I'l need to order a new back too, mines got the usual inch long crack from the dock port and is generally pretty scratched up. I'l be renewing my contract soon for a 3GS, so if I only have to spend £50 getting this 3G upto new condition, it'l sell on the bay for £250. Seems worthwhile to me!

That's a usual thing? :eek:

Adrianr · 29 Oct 2009 at 13:05

kylew said:
That's a usual thing?

Everyone I know with an iPhone has it (5), see the 'Iphone back replacement' topic for more examples!

kylew · 29 Oct 2009 at 13:09

Adrianr said:
Everyone I know with an iPhone has it (5), see the 'Iphone back replacement' topic for more examples!

I know a fair few people my self who have iPhones too, never heard of it though. Is it a fault with the phone? Or is it more a weakspot that's damaged if you drop it too much?

Wicksta · 29 Oct 2009 at 13:12

I've replaced two iPhone 3G screen/digitisers, it's simple. £11 quid from ebay.

Here is a good tutorial:

You shouldn't need to lever or damage anything. You can get the phone apart with a sucker.

Adrianr · 29 Oct 2009 at 14:15

kylew said:
I know a fair few people my self who have iPhones too, never heard of it though. Is it a fault with the phone? Or is it more a weakspot that's damaged if you drop it too much?

Just a stress riser. If the back is going to crack anywhere it will be from one of those two corners.

Wicksta said:
I've replaced two iPhone 3G screen/digitisers, it's simple. £11 quid from ebay.

Here is a good tutorial:

You shouldn't need to lever or damage anything. You can get the phone apart with a sucker.

Cheers for that. Though im not sure how much of my screen will come apart with a sucker, it's practically destroyed.

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 29 Oct 2009 at 15:14

Wicksta said:
I've replaced two iPhone 3G screen/digitisers, it's simple. £11 quid from ebay.

Here is a good tutorial:

You shouldn't need to lever or damage anything. You can get the phone apart with a sucker.

Cheers for that. Gonna order myself a replacement glass screen as mine is covered in scratches now. Just need a place to buy the plastic backs from and I'll be happy!

PiKe · 29 Oct 2009 at 15:27

How did you managed to scratch the glass?

Diggsy · 29 Oct 2009 at 15:33

Wicksta said:
I've replaced two iPhone 3G screen/digitisers, it's simple. £11 quid from ebay.

Here is a good tutorial:

You shouldn't need to lever or damage anything. You can get the phone apart with a sucker.

Is this just as easy to do with a Touch? A friend of mine has one with a cracked screen, and I am sure he'd happily pay £11 to sort it!