iPhone vs Samsung — which phone is cheaper to repair?

The eternal debate — iPhone or Samsung?

I hear this question every day in the shop. Customers come in with a cracked screen and ask: "If I'd bought a Samsung/iPhone, would this have cost me less?" After 20 years of repairing both brands, I have a clear answer — but it's not as straightforward as you might think.

Let's compare actual service prices for comparable models and see who's really "cheaper to repair".

Screen replacement — comparison

This is the biggest repair expense, and it's where the differences stand out the most.

Budget phones: Galaxy A series vs iPhone base models

Winner: iPhone (with an In-Cell screen). But note — In-Cell is LCD, while the Samsung A series uses AMOLED. The comparison isn't entirely fair, since you're getting a different screen quality.

Premium phones: Galaxy S series vs iPhone Pro

Result: it depends on the quality you choose. An iPhone aftermarket OLED screen is usually cheaper than a Samsung original Service Pack screen — but these are not the same parts: with Samsung you pay for the original. Samsung has the advantage with the glass repair option.

Glass repair — Samsung's advantage

Winner: Samsung. Glass repair on Samsung is significantly cheaper, especially for newer models. Glass repair on the Galaxy S25 is 9,000 RSD, and on the iPhone 16 22,000 RSD.

Battery replacement — comparison

Winner: Samsung. Samsung batteries are consistently cheaper, in the range of 7,000 – 10,000 RSD across all models, while the iPhone range is 3,000 – 24,000 RSD — the top end is the Genuine Apple variant.

Back glass replacement

This is harder to compare, since most Samsung models (S series) have back glass but it's not replaced separately very often — it usually goes together with a frame replacement. iPhone models have a clear price for back cover replacement:

Samsung back glass is usually not replaced separately at our shop — the whole frame is replaced together with the glass. This is a different approach compared to iPhone.

Total service costs — which phone is more cost-effective?

Let's run a "worst case scenario" calculation — how much it costs if, over the course of 3 years, you need to replace the screen and the battery:

Interesting, isn't it? For standard models, Samsung is cheaper to repair, but for the Ultra/Pro Max category, iPhone is more cost-effective thanks to affordable OLED Premium screens.

Conclusion

There's no single clear-cut answer. Samsung is generally cheaper for batteries and glass repair. iPhone has the advantage of affordable aftermarket screens (In-Cell, OLED) that are a quality alternative to the original. It pays off differently for everyone — but one thing is certain: repairing is ALWAYS more cost-effective than buying a new phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which brand has more screen quality options?

iPhone. For iPhone there are several screen types — InCell, OLED, Soft OLED, Original (iOS: Unknown or Used) and Genuine Apple, and availability depends on the model. For Samsung we use only original Service Pack screens (some models also come in a version with the frame).

Which brand is easier to repair?

Samsung, generally. Samsung phones are easier to open and have fewer software restrictions. iPhone requires more specialized tools and calibration.

What Samsung screens do you install?

Only original Samsung Service Pack screens — the same part used by the authorised Samsung service, so there is no difference in display quality compared to the factory screen.

Which phone retains its value better after service?

iPhone. Even after a screen and battery replacement, iPhone retains a higher resale value than Samsung. That's another factor worth taking into account.

Do you service both brands under the same warranty?

The policy is the same for both brands — the warranty depends on the type of part: 90 days for original parts (including Samsung Service Pack), 7 days for aftermarket InCell and OLED panels due to their fragility (installed only with the customer's prior consent), and 6 months for Genuine Apple batteries. Always.