Damage to a smartphoneโs display is one of the most common and unpleasant situations faced by owners of modern gadgets. Owners of the most popular Chinese brands Redmi and Poco often wonder how much it will cost to restore the functionality of the device. The cost of repair depends on the phone model, the type of matrix and the quality of the components used.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the pricing in the market of spare parts, explain the difference between original parts and analogues, and help you understand whether to change the broken glass separately or better buy a module assembled. The cost of replacing the screen on Xiaomi budget models can be up to 60% of the price of a new device, making the choice of spare parts critical for the userโs wallet.
Factors affecting the final cost of repairs
The first thing to understand when budgeting for repairs is the complexity of your smartphoneโs design. Flagship models of the Xiaomi Mi or Xiaomi 13/14 series often feature curved screens that are technically impossible to replace without specialized equipment and skills. Budget models like the Redmi Note or Poco M usually have flat displays, which greatly simplifies the procedure and reduces the cost of work.
The second important factor is the type of matrix. OLED and AMOLED, Those that provide deep black and high brightness are much more expensive than traditional ones. IPS-If your phone supports Always On Display or has a high refresh rate of 120Hz, the price of the part will be higher, and the price will also be affected by the presence of a fingerprint scanner built directly into the display.
Xiaomi Authorized Centers offer original parts and warranty, but their services cost more; Private workshops can offer lower prices by using restored parts or quality copies. The choice between speed, price and quality is left to the user.
โ ๏ธ Warning: When buying a hands-on phone, always check the integrity of the screen.Replacing the display on Xiaomi's flagship models with curved edges can cost unreasonably expensive, sometimes reaching 70-80% market value.
Difference Between Glass Replacement and Module Replacement
Many users mistakenly believe that if the picture on the screen is displayed correctly and the touchscreen works, then you only need to change the cracked glass. Technically, this is possible, but the process requires industrial equipment to separate the layers. At home or in a conventional workshop, most often offer a replacement module assembly, which includes both a matrix, and glass, and a frame.
Replacing only glass (re-sticking) is cheaper, because you pay mostly for the work of the master and consumables, not for a new matrix. However, this method is only suitable if there are no black spots, stripes or artifacts under the glass image. If the matrix is damaged, you will not save money - you will have to buy a new module as a whole.
- ๐ฐ Glass replacement: cheaper by 30-40%, It takes longer and requires special equipment.
- ๐ ๏ธ Module replacement: more expensive, but faster and more reliable as you get a new matrix assembled.
- โ๏ธ Risk: when glass is re-adjusted, there is always a risk of damaging the matrix during the separation of layers.
For most users, a complete replacement of the module is the best option, ensuring that the touch layer sensitivity is not affected and that new image defects will appear in the future, and that new modules are often framed, making it easier to build and more tight.
Price categories of displays for Xiaomi
Xiaomiโs smartphone spare parts market is huge and divided into several distinct categories in terms of quality and price, and understanding these differences will help you avoid overpaying for low quality or buying an expensive original part for the price of gold.
The highest level is the Service Pack, which comes in factory-made packages with the Mi logo, has perfect color reproduction, full support for all functions (like a fingerprint scanner), and often comes complete with a frame and battery, and the cost of such parts is maximum, but it is fully consistent with the quality.
The next category is quality copies, or what's called "High Copy," which can be labeled OLED (although often an improved IPS) or labeled AAA quality. They may have color reproductions that are different from the original, brighter, and wider bezels around the display, but for budget models, this is often the only reasonable way to extend the life of the device.
| Type of spare part | Image quality | Scanner compatibility | Approximate price (relatively) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original (Service Pack) | Perfect. | 100% | $$$ |
| Copy of OLED | Good. | Partial | $$ |
| Copy of IPS (in place of OLED) | Average. | No. | $ |
| Refurbished module | Depends on the condition. | Yes. | $$ |
Refurbished is the original screen that only replaced broken glass, leaving the original matrix, and it's a middle ground in price and quality if the master did the job well, but it's almost impossible to find such parts for fresh models.
Estimated prices for popular models
Display prices vary greatly depending on the modelโs year of release and popularity; popular series like the Redmi Note produce parts in huge quantities, making them relatively cheap; and Xiaomiโs flagship Mi and Xiaomi T lines require more expensive components.
For low-end models of the entry-level (Redmi A series, Redmi 9/10/11), the cost of replacing the screen in the collection with work can vary from 2500 to 4000 rubles. In this segment, IPS-matrixes are most often used, which are inexpensive in themselves. There is no point in looking for originals, since quality analogues are almost equal to them in everyday use.
Mid-size segment (Redmi Note) 11/12/13, Poco X3/X4/X5) It's a very careful approach. It's a very common place. AMOLED-screens, the price of which starts from 4000-5000 RUB per copy and comes to 8000-9000 It is important to note that in these models, the fingerprint scanner is often under the screen, and cheap copies may not support this function.
Why do prices change?
Flagship devices (Xiaomi) 12/13/14, Mi 11) โ It's the most expensive category. It can cost you a lot to change the screen. 10 000 before 20 000 RUB and above. Use of curved OLED-panels and complex design make repairs economically feasible only in the case of original spare parts of high quality.
Can you save money: a self-sustaining replacement?
Replacing a screen by yourself is a real way to save up to 30-40% of the total cost of repairs, eliminating the cost of a master's work. However, this path is only suitable for those who have minimal technical skills, accuracy and understand the risks. To begin with, you will need a set of tools, including a suction cup, mediators, screwdrivers and thermophen.
The process begins by heating the edges of the display to soften the glue, and the thermophen or building hair dryer heats the perimeter to 80-90 degrees, and then carefully, using a suction cup and a thin blade, you have to separate the broken module from the body, and the main danger here is to damage the battery or the plumes of other components.
- ๐ง Tools: set of screwdrivers, sucker, mediators, tweezers, thermophene.
- ๐งช Expendables: The new glue B-7000 or T-7000, isopropyl.
- โฑ๏ธ Time: The first replacement can take 1 to 3 hours.
Once the old module is dismantled, you need to thoroughly clean the frame of the residue of the old glue. Then the new screen plume is connected to check the health (without gluing it!). If the touchscreen reacts and the image is there, you can apply the new glue and fix the module. Assembly is done in reverse order.
โ ๏ธ Warning: Never connect the display plume to the motherboard if the phone is on, this is guaranteed to cause the power controller or the board itself to burn down, and repairs will become economically inefficient.
โ๏ธ What you need for a self-replacement
Where to buy spare parts and how not to make a mistake
Finding a reliable seller is half the success. Large marketplaces offer a wide range of options, but the risk of running into a low-quality product is higher there. Specialized phone parts stores tend to value reputation and can advise on the compatibility of a particular model.
When buying, pay attention to reviews, especially those that have photos of installed screens. If the seller claims that the screen is "Original", ask for a photo of the package. QR-Cheap copies often come in plain white boxes or without packaging at all.
It's also important to check the package. A good module often comes with a pre-installed bezel, which eliminates the need to reglue the speaker and the front camera. If the bezel isn't on, you'll have to gently carry all the components from the old broken screen, which increases the risk of damage.
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When ordering a screen at Chinese sites, choose delivery from a warehouse in your country (Local Warehouse), which will allow you to receive the goods faster and, in the case of marriage, it is easier to arrange a return than waiting for a parcel from abroad for a month.
Don't chase the lowest price. AMOLED-models with a high probability of being IPS-It's a matrix with poor viewing angles and no support for Always On Display, and you can visually tell them apart by looking at black when the screen is off: OLED It will merge with the frame, IPS โ gray.
Should I repair an old phone?
The cost of repairing a phone is especially important when it is 3-4 years old. If the cost of replacing a screen exceeds 60-70% of the market price of a used device in good condition, repairs may not be warranted. However, if the phone was your main device and you are used to its interface, replacing the screen can extend its life by another year or two.
For budget models bought a couple of years ago, it's often more profitable to buy a new phone than to change the screen, but if it's a flagship that still pulls on modern apps and games, investing in a quality original display will pay off.
You also need to consider the state of the battery, and if you change the screen, it makes sense to replace the battery right away, because you still have to disassemble the phone to access it. + The battery is often cheaper than two separate visits to the service.
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Repair makes sense if the cost of work and spare parts does not exceed 50% of the price of a similar used phone in excellent condition.