Broken phone screen — what to do and how much the repair costs

Dropped your phone and cracked the screen? Don't panic — in most cases a repair is possible and considerably cheaper than a new phone. A broken screen is the most common fault we see in our shop, and there's almost always a solution: from an affordable glass-only repair to a full screen replacement, depending on how deep the damage goes.

This guide explains what to do immediately after a drop, how to tell from the look of the screen how serious the damage is, when the cheaper glass repair is enough instead of replacing the whole display, roughly how much the repair costs and how long it takes. We service iPhone and Samsung in New Belgrade, with free diagnostics and a warranty — and we give you honest advice, even when the most cost-effective solution is the cheaper one.

What to do immediately when the screen is broken

A few steps in the first couple of minutes can prevent further damage:

1. Stop using the phone if possible. Sliding your finger across cracked glass spreads the cracks and can cut you.
2. Make a backup while the phone still works — photos, contacts, messages. If the screen still responds to touch, back up to iCloud, Google or your computer.
3. Put clear film or tape over the crack as temporary protection — it stops small glass fragments from falling out and dust from getting under the panel.
4. Don't press on the damaged area and don't try to "pull out" fragments. If liquid is leaking inside the screen (black or coloured blotches), the panel is damaged internally and should be replaced as soon as possible.
5. Bring the phone in for diagnostics. It's free and takes 5–10 minutes — after that you know exactly what's needed and what it costs.

Types of screen damage — what can be repaired

Not every "broken screen" is the same. The type of damage determines the repair price:

• Only the glass is cracked, the image works normally — the best-case scenario. Often a glass repair is enough, without replacing the whole display.
• Cracks + green or pink lines — the panel beneath the glass is damaged; a screen replacement is needed.
• A black blotch that keeps spreading — the panel is physically broken; screen replacement.
• The glass is intact, but part of the screen doesn't respond to touch — the digitizer (touch layer) is damaged; screen replacement.
• The screen is completely black, but the phone rings and vibrates — the panel is "dead" even though the phone works; a screen replacement brings the image back and your data stays untouched.
• The screen flickers or turns on and off — could be the flex cable or the connector; diagnostics required.

If you're not sure which category your phone falls into, don't worry — that's exactly what we determine during the free diagnostics.

Is it safe to use a phone with a broken screen?

In the short term the phone may still work, but using a broken screen carries several risks:

• Small glass shards can cut your finger or get lodged in it when you swipe — especially with "spider web" cracks.
• Dust and fine particles get in through the cracks and over time damage the panel and internal components, so a repair that's cheap today can become more expensive tomorrow.
• The touch layer may start registering taps you never made (so-called ghost touch) if the digitizer is damaged, which makes using and unlocking the phone difficult.
• Backlight and sensors can fail if the crack runs across the top part of the screen.

That's why it's best not to postpone the repair — the sooner you act, the better the chance you'll get away with a cheaper glass repair instead of replacing the whole screen.

The screen is cracked but the image works — should I repair it right away?

Yes, and now is the best time. While the panel under the glass still works (image with no lines or blotches), the phone is a candidate for a glass repair — only the glass is replaced, which is noticeably cheaper than replacing the entire screen. If you wait for the cracks to work their way into the panel (lines or blotches appear, or part of the screen stops responding), a glass repair is no longer possible and the more expensive full-module replacement is required. In other words: the same crack can cost significantly less today than it will in a month.

Glass repair or screen replacement?

With a broken screen there are two options:

• Glass repair (OCA lamination) — only the cracked glass is replaced, while the original display stays. This is possible only if the panel beneath still works (image with no lines or blotches). The saving is up to 40% compared with replacing the whole screen.
• Screen replacement — the entire module is replaced (glass + panel + touch). This is done when the panel is damaged or the touch layer doesn't respond.

Diagnostics show which option is possible for your phone. We always suggest the more affordable solution if it's feasible.

How much a broken screen repair costs

The price depends on the model and on whether a glass repair is enough or a full screen replacement is needed. Roughly, for iPhone:

• Glass repair: from 4,000 RSD (when the panel works).
• Screen replacement: from 5,000 RSD (for older models, InCell) upwards, depending on the model and panel type (Genuine Apple, Original OEM, OLED, InCell).

With iPhone you choose the screen type according to your budget, so we explain the differences during diagnostics. For Samsung models the approach and prices are different — details are in the Samsung phone repair guide.

For the exact price for your model, see iPhone screen replacement, Samsung screen replacement, glass repair, the detailed screen replacement price guide or the complete price list. All prices include the part, labour and VAT.

How long a broken screen repair takes

A screen replacement takes 1–3 hours for iPhone, 2–3 hours for Samsung, a glass repair 3–5 hours. For most repairs you can wait in the shop or at the nearby shopping centre — no appointment needed. If coming in doesn't suit you, a courier picks up and returns the phone for 1,500 RSD within Belgrade.

Is data lost during a screen replacement

No. A screen replacement or glass repair doesn't affect the phone's memory — photos, apps and data stay untouched. The phone isn't reset and nothing is erased; only the screen (or the glass) is replaced. We don't ask for your PIN or access to your accounts. Still, a backup is always a good habit, so do one as soon as the screen allows it.

How to prevent it from breaking again

You've repaired the screen — here's how to keep it safe:

• Tempered glass or hydrogel film — absorbs the impact and protects the new glass. More on the differences in the hydrogel screen protection guide.
• A case with raised edges — keeps the screen a couple of millimetres above the surface when the phone falls face down.
• Avoid the back pocket of your trousers and leaving the phone on the edges of tables.
• Replace cracked protection in time — tempered glass that has already cracked no longer protects; new film costs several times less than a screen replacement.

We can fit a screen protector or film right after the repair, bubble-free and precisely aligned. If you're curious why screens crack in the first place, read the top 5 reasons why phone screens break.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if my screen is cracked but the phone still works? Make a backup while you can, put clear film over the crack as temporary protection and bring the phone in for diagnostics. If only the glass is affected, a more affordable glass repair is possible instead of replacing the whole screen.

How much does a broken screen repair cost? For iPhone, glass repair starts from 4,000 RSD, and a screen replacement from 5,000 RSD upwards, depending on the model and panel type. You can see the exact price for your model on the price list or by calling 065/362-61-31.

Can I replace the screen myself? We don't recommend it. A screen replacement requires heating, special tools and calibration; incorrect installation can damage the touch layer, sensors or internal connectors and voids any warranty. Professional installation is cheaper than fixing a botched DIY replacement.

Is it worth repairing a broken screen or should I buy a new phone? For most models the repair is considerably cheaper than a new phone. With very old models, where the cost of a screen replacement exceeds the phone's market value, we'll tell you honestly and suggest an alternative — a more affordable panel, a glass repair, or buy-back in as-is condition.

What warranty do I get on a screen replacement? The warranty depends on the type of part: standard parts and labour 90 days, genuine Apple batteries 6 months, and InCell and OLED panels 7 days due to their brittleness — these are installed only with the customer's prior consent.

Does a glass repair look like the original glass? Yes. With a glass repair (OCA lamination) new glass is fitted and bonded to the original panel under vacuum, so the screen looks and responds like factory — no air bubbles and with full touch sensitivity. The difference compared with a full screen replacement is that you keep the original display and only the cracked glass is replaced.

What if the back cover is cracked too, not just the screen? We also replace the back (cover) glass, as well as the camera glass when the glass is cracked but the module still works. These are quicker and cheaper jobs than a screen replacement and we often do them in the same visit — just tell us during diagnostics everything that needs doing.

Do you service Samsung and other phones as well? Yes. Besides iPhone we do complete Samsung Galaxy service (details: Samsung phone repair), as well as Xiaomi, Huawei and other brands, subject to part availability.

Bring your phone in for diagnostics

A broken screen doesn't have to mean the end of your phone. Bring it in for free diagnostics or book a service online — we'll tell you exactly what's needed and what it costs, with no obligation. For most repairs you don't even need an appointment: come in, we'll run the diagnostics and, if you agree, do the repair the same day while you wait. Viper Mobile has been in business since 2004, with over 700 Google reviews and a 4.9★ rating. Call 065/362-61-31 or visit us at Bulevar Arsenija Čarnojevića 91, apartment 3, 11150 New Belgrade.