Repair or Replace? The Honest Guide
Smartphone broken — now what? Repair or buy new? The answer depends on model, damage and budget. We help with an honest analysis and real prices.
✓ When to repair?
- •Device is less than 3–4 years old
- •Damage is screen, battery or camera only
- •Cost is under 40% of new price
- •Core functions ok (motherboard)
- •You want to keep data and settings
- •Sustainability matters to you
✗ When to replace?
- •Device over 5 years old, no more updates
- •Motherboard damage
- •Cost exceeds 50% of new price
- •Multiple simultaneous defects
- •Battery and screen already replaced once
Repair cost vs. new price
Comparison: most common repair (screen) cost vs. new device price:
| Model | Screen from | New approx. | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15 | CHF 249 | CHF 849 | 29% |
| iPhone 14 | CHF 219 | CHF 729 | 30% |
| iPhone 13 | CHF 189 | CHF 609 | 31% |
| Galaxy S24 | CHF 299 | CHF 799 | 37% |
| Galaxy S23 | CHF 269 | CHF 649 | 41% |
Sustainability: repair helps the planet
Manufacturing a new smartphone produces 50–80 kg of CO₂. Repairing saves money and significantly reduces e-waste.
FAQ
Is it still worth repairing an iPhone 12?▾
Yes. Years of software support left, repair costs a fraction of new.
After how many years stop repairing?▾
Rule of thumb: no more security updates AND repair costs over 50% of residual value.
Free diagnosis?▾
Yes. At iRotto?® diagnosis is always free.
What about water damage?▾
Can be complex. We diagnose free and advise honestly.
Not sure? We advise honestly.
Free diagnosis, transparent prices.