Phone screen types and features: your guide before a screen replacement
When you replace your phone screen you'll hear terms like "original", "OLED" and "LCD". This guide explains the difference simply: how each affects colour, touch, battery and price, and which option suits your device.
Two core technologies: OLED and LCD
In an OLED screen every pixel lights itself, so black is truly black, colours look deeper, and it uses less power with dark backgrounds. Most flagship phones use OLED, such as the iPhone 16 Pro Max and the Galaxy S25 Ultra (Samsung calls it AMOLED).
An LCD screen relies on a backlight behind the colour layer, so black looks dark grey; it's slightly thicker and cheaper. Devices such as the iPhone 11 and the iPad 10th Gen use LCD.
Replacement screen types
When a screen breaks, you usually choose between these types, depending on what's available for your model:
Original screen
Matches the factory screen in colour, brightness, touch and battery use. The best choice if you want your device exactly as it was.
- Factory-matched colour and brightness
- Best battery efficiency
- The highest price of the options
High-quality OLED screen
A genuine OLED replacement for OLED devices: deep blacks, vivid colours and precise touch, for less than an original.
- OLED colours and true blacks
- Precise, smooth touch
- A balance of quality and price
High-quality replacement or LCD screen
The budget option for many Android phones and for LCD devices such as the iPhone 11: performs well in daily use for a lower price.
- The lowest price
- Good for everyday use
- Less colour depth than OLED
Features that should survive the replacement
- Refresh rate: ProMotion up to 120 Hz on Pro models, so scrolling stays smooth.
- True Tone on iPhone: we transfer its data from your old screen so colours keep adapting to the room's light.
- Touch and sensors: we test multi-touch, the proximity sensor, the front camera and Face ID before handover.
- Brightness and Always-On display on devices that support it.
How do you know your screen needs replacing?
- Cracked or shattered glass.
- Green or pink lines, or black spots spreading across the display.
- Touch that doesn't respond, or taps by itself (ghost touch).
- A black screen while the phone still works and rings.
Which type is right for you?
Either way, we show you the options available for your model and the price of each, and only start once you agree. You'll find each model's options on the phone screen replacement page.
- A recent device such as the iPhone 17 Pro or Galaxy S24 Ultra that you want exactly as it was: an original screen.
- You want OLED colours for less: a high-quality OLED screen.
- An older device or simple everyday use: a high-quality replacement screen is enough.
Screen replacement for popular devices
Before replacing the screen
If the screen still works, even partly, back up your data first. You'll find the steps in our repair tips.
Screen replacement FAQ
Does a screen replacement affect Face ID?
Not when it's done properly: we carefully transfer the parts it relies on from the old screen and test it before handing the device back.
Will a message appear after an iPhone screen replacement?
On iPhone 11 and later, iOS may show a notice in Settings that the screen was replaced. It's for information only and doesn't affect how the screen works.
What's the difference between OLED and AMOLED?
AMOLED is a type of OLED screen that Samsung uses in Galaxy phones. The principle is the same: every pixel lights itself, so blacks are true and colours are deep.
How long does a screen replacement take?
30 to 60 minutes in most cases when the part is in stock.