Often it is worth repairing your phone, especially when the fault is a single part such as a cracked screen, a tired battery or a charging port that no longer charges. Replacing the phone usually makes more sense when several things are failing at once, when the repair would cost close to what the phone is worth to you, or when the phone no longer does what you need. The honest way to decide is to have the fault diagnosed and priced before you spend anything.

“Is it worth repairing, or should I just buy a new phone?” is one of the questions we hear most at Archway Tech Repairs, our walk-in shop at 647 Holloway Road, London N19 5SE. This guide, from the Archway Tech Repairs Technical Team, sets out how to weigh it up and what we look at when you bring a phone in.

When is a phone worth repairing?

A repair usually makes sense when one part has failed and the rest of the phone still works well for you. The most common examples we see are:

• A cracked or damaged screen. Glass damage is not the same as display or touch damage, so it is worth having the screen checked to see exactly what has failed. See our screen repair page.
• A battery that no longer lasts the day. A battery replacement deals with an ageing battery; it does not change the rest of the phone.
• A charging port that will not charge. Charging port repair is one of the common jobs we carry out.
• Software faults. Some problems that look like hardware turn out to be software, which is why diagnosis comes first.

If you like your phone, it still has the storage and features you need, and the fault is limited to one of these, a repair is often the sensible choice.

When does buying a new phone make more sense?

A new phone can be the better option when:

• Several parts are failing at the same time, for example the screen, the battery and the charging port together.
• The cost of the repair is close to what the phone is worth to you.
• The phone no longer meets your needs, whatever is repaired.
• The phone has water damage that cannot be repaired reliably. Water damage is assessed case by case, and not every water-damaged device can be saved.

Having the fault diagnosed and priced first is how you find out which side of the line your phone is on.

What should I think about before deciding?

What exactly is wrong

The first step is finding the real fault. A phone that will not charge might need a new charging port, a new battery or something else entirely. Our technicians run diagnostics in store, and our free in-store check-up covers this for most devices. Water-damaged devices are excluded from the free check-up and carry separate terms.

What the repair will cost

Repair costs depend on the device, the model and the specific fault, so we do not publish fixed prices. We assess the fault and explain the repair options and expected cost before any work starts. If the cost changes once the device is opened, we tell you before continuing. Complex motherboard work can carry a non-refundable diagnostic or service charge.

What a repair will and will not fix

A new screen fixes screen problems. It does not fix an ageing battery, a worn charging port or a camera fault. Knowing this up front helps you compare a repair with a replacement fairly.

The quality of the repair

Poor-quality parts can affect brightness, touch response and battery life, so ask what you are getting as well as what it costs.

Your data

Back up your phone before any repair wherever you can. If the phone will not turn on, ask us about data recovery and backup support when you bring it in.

Water resistance

A repaired device may not retain its original manufacturer water-resistance rating. If water resistance matters to you, take that into account.

Should I try to repair it myself?

Some people do repair their own phones with a kit. The risks are real, though: internal damage, adhesive and sealing problems, and the wrong part for the model. If you are unsure, it is worth having the fault diagnosed first so you know what you are dealing with.

How a repair works at Archway Tech Repairs

1. Walk in or call: bring the phone to 647 Holloway Road (nearest station: Archway Underground) or call 020 7263 0607. No appointment is needed.
2. Free in-store check-up: a technician inspects the phone and identifies the fault (water-damaged devices excluded).
3. Quote and options: we explain the repair options and expected cost before any work starts, so you can compare repairing with replacing.
4. Repair: carried out in store, from screens, batteries and charging ports to board-level motherboard work. Where a part has to be ordered, timing depends on availability.
5. Testing: the phone is checked before it goes back to you.
6. Warranty: applicable repairs are covered by our published warranty policy.

Many common repairs are completed the same day, depending on the fault and parts availability. We repair iPhones, Samsung phones and other mobile phones; see iPhone repair and Samsung repair. If you are deciding about a laptop rather than a phone, see laptop repair.

Questions customers ask

Is it worth fixing a cracked phone screen?

Often, yes, if the rest of the phone works well for you. We check whether it is the glass, the display or the touch response that is damaged and give you the cost before any work starts, so you can decide.

Can you repair my phone today?

Many common repairs are completed the same day, depending on the fault and parts availability. Where a part has to be ordered, the timing depends on when it arrives, and we will tell you what to expect.

What warranty do I get on a repair?

Our published warranty policy gives 14 days on applicable parts repairs and charging port repairs, and 28 days on LCD/screen repairs, with one free re-repair for the same issue subject to the stated conditions. Successfully repaired water-damaged devices carry a limited seven-day re-repair guarantee.

Can a water-damaged phone be saved?

Not always. Water damage is assessed case by case, which is why it is excluded from the free check-up and has separate terms.

Do I need an appointment?

No. Walk in to 647 Holloway Road, London N19 5SE, or call 020 7263 0607 first if you want to check before you travel.

Are you an Apple repair centre?

No. Archway Tech Repairs is an independent repair provider and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple Inc.

Get an honest answer before you spend

If you are not sure whether to repair or replace, bring the phone in and let us look at it. Visit 647 Holloway Road, London N19 5SE, call 020 7263 0607 or email info@archwaytechrepairs.co.uk. You can also read what customers say on our testimonials page.

Repair times and costs vary depending on the device, extent of damage and availability of replacement parts.