Guide 3g · Screen

Broken iPhone Screen in San Diego? How to Choose the Best Replacement (LCD vs. Soft OLED Guide)

Cracked iPhone screen with green lines on repair workbench at Franchitti's Fix San Diego

Guide 3g · Screen

Screen Repair Guide

Cracked screen? Not every replacement screen is the same. Here are our three options in plain words, so you can pick what fits your phone and budget.

Our Three Screen Options

Option What It Is Best For
Economy An LCD screen. Bright and sharp, with a slightly thicker border. Tight budgets, kids' phones, trade-ins
Standard A Soft OLED screen on OLED models, or a higher-grade LCD on LCD models. Thin border. Most people. Best value for a daily phone
Premium A refurbished pulled screen. The closest match to how your phone looked new. Pro models and anyone who wants the closest match

On many models, our Economy and Standard options are iTruColor screens. Not every option exists for every model, so call or text and I'll tell you what's available for yours.

What You'll Notice

  • LCD screens (Economy, and Standard on LCD models) run at 60Hz and usually don't support auto-brightness.
  • OLED screens keep auto-brightness and run up to 120Hz on ProMotion models (13 Pro and later Pro models, iPhone 17 and iPhone Air).
  • True Tone can work with non-Apple screens since iOS 18.1. Color may be a little less exact.
  • Settings notice: non-Apple screens usually show "Unknown" in Parts and Service History. Your phone still works normally. See the Unknown Part message.

Which One Should I Pick?

  • Want the lowest price? Pick Economy.
  • Want the best value for a phone you use every day? Pick Standard.
  • Want the closest match to new? Pick Premium.

Watch Out For Extreme Prices (My Opinion)

If you were sold a thicker LCD-style replacement screen (the economy type) and paid over $200, you probably got taken advantage of. Across every iPhone model I fix, my LCD screens cost well under that, installed. If a quote seems high, call or text me for a second opinion. – Steve

The Same Careful Work On Every Option

A good screen still fails if it's installed badly. Here are two things I've found inside phones repaired elsewhere:

Inside of an iPhone with yellow packaging film and red stickers left on the back of a replacement screen

Packaging film and stickers left on the back of the screen.

Inside of an iPhone with dusty, unsealed edges where the adhesive seal was skipped

No adhesive seal, so dust got inside.

On every repair, I remove old adhesive, fix earlier repair mistakes, peel off all films and fit a new adhesive seal.

Warranty And Upgrades

  • 1-year warranty against defects on undamaged parts, on every option.
  • 2-week upgrade: move up a tier within 14 days and pay only the difference.
  • Most repairs take about an hour once we start.

Common Questions

Can I Ask for a Specific Screen?

Yes. Tell me what you want and I'll check if it's in stock. Some screens are special order, usually next business day.

Will a Standard or Economy Screen Show an "Unknown Part" Message?

On iPhone 11 and later (except SE models), usually yes. Apple says it doesn't affect how you use your iPhone, though it may lower trade-in value. If you'd rather avoid it, ask about plug-and-play screens.

How Does the 2-Week Upgrade Work?

Within 14 days, if the part is undamaged, you can move up a tier and pay only the price difference. A small restocking fee may apply if the part has marks from use.

Based in San Diego (North Park area). Call or text first. Book an appointment

Questions about your screen? Call or text (720) 413-8150 and I'll tell you which options fit your model.

Franchitti's Fix LLC is an independent repair shop, not affiliated with Apple.

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