Smashed screens
Most smartphones and tablets have glass
screens and some, including the iPhone 4 and Nexus 4, have glass rear panels
that, while toughened, are still quite easily broken. Dropping a phone can
dislodge components or cause other internal problems that throw up errors or
lead to a complete failure. Again, manufacturers will fix this kind of damage
for a fee, but a third-party repair costs less. The prices start at about $45
to replace the rear glass on an iPhone 4 and go up to $150 or so to replace the
front glass on a third-generation iPad. For a Nexus 4 display, Simply Fixit
charges $195, while a replacement screen for the Kindle Fire HD costs $172 –
which is still cheaper than Amazon’s won charge.
If you would rather not do either, the
third option is to buy the parts and do the job yourself. This might sound
difficult, but in many cases repairs are surprisingly simple once you have
built up the courage to attempt them. Even so, for any repair that requires
dismantling a device, it is possible to do more serious damage than you aim to
fix, so we would only advise trying these yourself if you’re certain that the
original problem is not covered by a warranty or accidental-damage insurance.
DIY
repairs to smashed glass may not be as difficult as you fear
There are so many phones and tablets and so
many ways to break them that it’s impossible for us to cover every method here,
but the best place to start is usually to search on a site like iFixit for the
relevant repair manual – there’s often an instruction video, too. Once you’ve
found instructions for the repair assuming that one is possible – you can buy
the necessary parts and tools from the same site, or try searching on Amazon.
The parts and tools needed for common repairs are often bundled together in a
pack that cost far less than even an unofficial repair.
For example, a kit to replace the rear
glass on an iPhone 4 is less than $9 on Amazon, a saving of $180 on Apple’s
fixed-price repair service. The job is actually pretty simple. You need to
remove two screws, then pop off the phone’s entire back cover and replace it
with the new one, which shouldn’t take more than a couple of minutes. Some
repairs are far harder than this, such as replacing eth front glass on the
iPhone 4, which involves almost completely dismantling it and reassembling it,
and is likely to take an hour or two of fiddly work.
Again, this is where iFixit comes in handy.
For example the website shows that replacing a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2’s display
requires a heat gun or powerful hairdryer. It’s a tricky job, but with the
parts costing around $48 from eBay, there are big savings to be made from a DIY
repair. An official Samsung repair center will often charge more for the same
job (we were quoted $300 to replace a Galaxy Tab 2’s screen), though Samsung
says customers should call for a tailored quote for a list of authorized
service centers.
The
iFixit website has guides on repairing dozens of smartphones and tablets
Replace the battery
One common problem with portable devices is
that battery life deteriorates with age. It’s possible to buy a new smartphone
battery for around $15, and fitting it might be as simple as popping off the
phone’s plastic back. Obviously, it’s more of a job if the phone doesn’t have a
simple pop-off cover. On the iPhone 3GS, for example, you’ll need to unscrew
and remove the front screen and the motherboard to access the phone’s battery.
This is glued to the rear lid and needs to be carefully prized free. The tools
and battery together cost around $13.5 from Amazon, while Apple charges $82.5
for the same repair in store.
Buying
a dedicated device toolkit won’t cost much and will make repairs easier
As we have seen, the difficulty of repairs
varies greatly, so make sure you understand what you are in for before you buy
tools or parts for a job that you can’t do. For example, the battery in the
iPad 2 is welded to the case, so replacing it is best left to an expert. It
pays to ensure you have the right parts and tools before getting started.
They’re cheap, easily bought online and could prevent damage. Also, work with
the help of a desk lamp or another good light source. Use an upturned mouse mat
or something similar to provide a non-slip, non-scratch work surface, and use
small containers to store removed parts.
Active tip
For less clear-cut smartphone and tablet
problems, follow the manufacturer’s troubleshooting advice before deciding if
there’s a fault. A simple factory reset will cure many ills. Once you’re sure,
search for the symptoms online to see it other users know a non-invasive fix
–finding one will save both time and money.
