iPhone vs Samsung — Which Phone Is Cheaper to Repair?

The eternal debate — iPhone or Samsung?

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

Let us compare the real repair prices for comparable models and see who is actually "cheaper to repair".

Screen replacement — comparison

This is the biggest repair cost, and this is where the differences are most noticeable.

Budget phones: Galaxy A series vs entry-level iPhone

Winner: iPhone (with an In-Cell screen). But note — In-Cell is LCD, while the Samsung A series uses AMOLED. The comparison is not entirely fair because you get a different screen quality.

Premium phones: Galaxy S series vs iPhone Pro

Result: a tie. For standard models the prices are very similar. For Ultra/Pro Max models, iPhone OLED Premium screens are cheaper than Samsung originals. But Samsung has the advantage of a glass-repair option.

Glass repair — Samsung's advantage

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

Battery replacement — comparison

Winner: Samsung. Samsung batteries are consistently cheaper, mostly in the 6,000 RSD – 8,000 RSD range regardless of the model. iPhone batteries for newer models go up to 17,000 RSD for the Genuine Apple option.

Back glass replacement

This is harder to compare, because most Samsung models (the S series) have back glass but it is not replaced often — it usually goes with a frame replacement. iPhone models have a clear cover replacement price:

Samsung back glass is usually not replaced separately at our shop — the whole frame with the glass is replaced. That is a different approach from the iPhone.

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

Let us do a "worst-case" calculation — how much it costs if over 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 the iPhone is more cost-effective thanks to the affordable OLED Premium screens.

Conclusion

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

Frequently asked questions

Which brand has more screen-quality options?

iPhone. For the iPhone we have 5 quality tiers (In-Cell, OLED, Refurbished Original, New Original, Genuine Apple). For Samsung it is usually one option — a standard aftermarket panel.

Which brand is easier to repair?

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

Do aftermarket Samsung screens lose quality?

Samsung aftermarket AMOLED screens are mostly of excellent quality — Samsung produces so many AMOLED panels that the market is saturated with quality parts.

Which phone holds its value better after a repair?

iPhone. Even after a screen and battery replacement, the iPhone retains a higher resale value than Samsung. That is another factor to consider.

Do you service both brands with the same warranty?

Yes. A 90-day warranty with a fiscal receipt, whether it is an iPhone or a Samsung.