Broken glass or black stripes on the Xiaomi Mi 8 screen turn the 2018 flagship into a pile of useless plastic.This smartphone, which became the company’s first device with facial recognition technology like the iPhone X, is still relevant thanks to the powerful Snapdragon 845 processor. However, it is a complex design and OLED-And the matrix makes repairing it a little bit of a treat. Owners often wonder, is it worth investing in rebuilding or is it easier to buy a new machine? The answer depends on a lot of factors, which we'll go through in detail.
The cost of replacing the display on the Xiaomi Mi 8 is not only the cost of the spare part itself, but also the complexity of the dismantling work. The screen is glued to the frame, and underneath it are the fingerprint scanner and camera plumes. Poor build can lead to loss of moisture protection or the appearance of “artifacts” of the image. Below we will consider what the total amount of the check in the service is made of and what affects the pricing of spare parts at the moment.
What the final cost of repair depends on
The first thing you need to understand is that the screen in the Xiaomi Mi 8 is modular, which means that the glass, touchcon and the matrix itself are a single, non-shatterable unit. You can't replace only cracked glass in a garage without specialized separation equipment.
The second critical factor is the quality of the spare part. The electronics market is in chaos, and the same seller can offer the "original" at three different prices. The difference in cost between the original OLED matrix and the cheap copy can be as much as 300%, which dramatically changes the economic feasibility of repairs. In addition, the price of a master's work depends on the region and the level of the service center: in authorized Xiaomi centers, the price tag will be higher than in private workshops at home.
The price is also affected by the presence of a frame. Modules can be sold “naked” (only a screen with a plume) or already glued into a metal frame with a battery. The second option is more expensive, but greatly simplifies and speeds up the replacement process, reducing the risk of damage to the body during disassembly. For the Xiaomi Mi 8 with its glass back cover, accuracy when gluing the module is critical.
⚠️ If you are offered to replace only glass on Xiaomi Mi 8 priceless 1000-1500 Beware, you'll probably get a cheap one. LCD-A copy that distorts the color reproduction and strips the Always On Display function.
Price range: Original vs Copies
The price range for the Xiaomi Mi 8 is huge, and it’s easy for a beginner to get confused in terms of “Super Copy,” “High Copy,” and “Original Refurbished.” The real factory matrix is AMOLED and provides deep black and saturated hues. Copies are often made on IPS or low-resolution OLEDs, which is immediately striking on a white background.
Original modules, even those taken from broken phones (called OEM Refurbished), keep the color reproduction and viewing angle correct. Their cost is high as demand for quality parts for older flagships grows, while supply is reduced. Copies are mass-produced by third-party factories and may have a touchscreen backlash or illumination calibration.
Below is a comparative table showing the average market prices for components and work (prices are indicative and may vary):
| Type of module | Image quality | Average price of spare parts (ruble) | Cost of work (ruble) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original (Service Pack) | Perfect, AMOLED. | 4500 - 6000 | 1500 - 2500 |
| Original (Refurbished) | Good, AMOLED. | 3000 - 4000 | 1500 - 2500 |
| Copy (High Copy OLED) | Middle, faded colors | 1800 - 2500 | 1000 - 1500 |
| Copy (IPS LCD) | Low, thick frames. | 1200 - 1600 | 1000 - 1500 |
How to distinguish a high-quality display when accepting
After replacing the display with the Xiaomi Mi 8, you need to do a thorough check, without departing from the cash register. The first thing to pay attention to is the thickness of the bezels. Cheap copies often have wider “backbones” or uneven indentations around the perimeter, since their production tolerances are below factory standards.
The second important test is to check for broken pixels and the uniformity of the backlight. OLED-In the matrix, you can often see greenish or pinkish hues around the edges of the screen, which should not be in the original.
Be sure to test the multi-touch. Xiaomi Mi 8 supports up to 10 touch points at a time. You can use the built-in engineering menu or download the test app from the Play Market. Swipe your fingers across the screen, checking the response in each corner.
☑️ Check after screen replacement
Technical features of the module replacement
The process of replacing the display on the Xiaomi Mi 8 is technically complicated because of the design of the case. The screen is mounted on a powerful adhesive layer, and under it is a complex system of plumes. The main feature of this model is a fingerprint scanner built directly into the display module. If you sloppy remove the old screen, damage the scanner plume or the sensor itself.
Another challenge is the front camera and speaker, which are located in the top bangs and require very delicate handling. Often, when repairing themselves, the masters forget to move the sealing gums or damage the speaker plume, which leads to extraneous noises when talking. It is also important to connect the connectors correctly, since they are located in hard-to-reach places under metal screens.
The work requires a special set of tools: a thermophene or a separation plate for heating glue, suction cups, a set of Torx and Pentalobe screwdrivers, as well as a new adhesive composition B-7000 or specialized glue for screens. The use of bilateral tape is not recommended, as it does not provide tightness and can unstuck when heated.
⚠️ Note: When disassembling the Xiaomi Mi 8 categorically do not pierce the battery with the tool. In this model, the battery is located under the screen, and any careless movement can lead to a fire of lithium.