Owners of the popular Xiaomi Mi 9T smartphone (known globally as the Redmi K20) often face the problem of a damaged screen. Despite using high-quality Gorilla Glass, accidental falls or bumps on hard surfaces can lead to cracks. The user faces a difficult choice: carry the device to the service or try to repair it yourself, trying to save money.
The cost of repairs is not a fixed figure, but an amount that depends on many factors: the final price is influenced by the region of circulation, the status of the service center, and the quality of the components used. It is important to understand that replacing the glass and replacing the display module are two different services with radically different pricing policies.
In this article, we will discuss in detail what the cost of repairs is, why prices can vary by two times and whether it is worth risking the integrity of the device for the sake of saving. You will learn the current prices for original parts and quality analogues, and also understand why glass reglazing in the factory is more expensive, but often is the only way to maintain moisture protection and image quality.
Factors affecting the final cost of repairs
The first thing to consider when looking for a master is the type of damage, which is that if only the top glass is broken and the image is clear and there are no black spots or stripes, then repainting is theoretically possible, but the cost of this procedure depends on the equipment used, and it's almost impossible to do at home, because it requires a special machine to separate and laminate.
Most service centers offer replacements for the full module, which means you get a change in the glass, touchscreen and matrix assembly, the cost of the module is the lion's share of the cost of repairs, original components from Xiaomi cost much more than quality copies or restored parts, the difference in price can be as much as 50-70%.
Another important factor is the color of the case. For the Xiaomi Mi 9T model in rare colors such as Ice Blue or Carbon Black, finding the original frame or framed glass assembly is more difficult. Deficiency of parts of a certain color can temporarily increase the cost of service. In addition, the cost of repair depends on the warranty: official centers give a longer warranty, which is included in the cost.
- 💰 Part Type: Original always costs more than a high-quality copy or a refurbished module.
- 🛠️ Replacing only glass requires expensive equipment, replacing the module is a simpler, but time-consuming procedure.
- 📍 In Moscow or St. Petersburg, prices will be higher due to rent and salaries than in the regions.
And the extra cost is that if you fall in the back cover or frame, the wizard can suggest replacing it to keep it tight, which will increase the check, but prolong the life of the device, and ignoring minor damage to the body can cause moisture to get inside the next time you change the screen.
Price comparison: original, copies and restored details
Xiaomi’s smartphone spare parts market is huge and diverse. The Mi 9T offers vastly different pricing. Let’s figure out what you’re paying for. The original display module (OLED) delivers perfect color reproduction, high brightness margin, and Always On Display without distortion.
Copies, often labeled as OLED Incell or simply LCD, are cheaper. However, in the case of the Mi 9T, which features a subscreen front camera, using a sub-standard counterpart can lead to the inoperability of the selfie camera or the appearance of image artifacts. Cheap arrays are often less bright and do not support DC Dimming technology, which is important for eye protection.
Refurbished is the original display that has broken glass but replaced it with a new one in the factory, which is a middle ground for price and quality, but it is difficult to find a truly original refurbished module, often with cheap copies hidden under this mask.
| Type of spare part | Estimated price (detail only) | Image quality | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original (Service Pack) | from 6000 to 9000 rubles. | Perfect, 100% match. | Minimum, high price |
| Quality copy (OLED) | from 3,500 to 5,000 rubles. | Good, there are nuances of brightness. | Medium, possible failure of touch screen |
| Budget copy (LCD) | from 2000 to 3000 rubles. | Low, thick frames, no Always On | High, camera and scanner problems |
| Only glass (patching) | from 2500 to 4000 rubles. | Depends on the original matrix | High, risk of damage to the matrix when removed |
When choosing a spare part, be sure to ask the master about the origin of the part. If you are offered the "original" at a price of 2500 rubles, it is guaranteed a fake. The original matrix for such a flagship cannot cost less than a budget phone.
Cost of work in the service center against self-repair
If you don't have experience in electronics repair, replacing the screen with a Xiaomi Mi 9T can be a real challenge.The smartphone has a complex design with adhesive body connection. To get to the plume of the display, you need to carefully remove the back glass cover, warming it with a hairdryer, and unstick a lot of plumes.
In a service center, the cost of the work is usually between 1500 and 3000 rubles, not including the cost of the spare part. For this money, you get not only a replacement, but also professional sealing of the case, checking for other damages and a warranty for the work performed (usually from 3 to 12 months), the wizard will also calibrate the sensor and check all functions.
⚠️ Attention: Independent disassembly Xiaomi Mi 9T Without heating and special suction cups, 90% of the time it will break the back cover, be prepared for the extra cost of buying a new lid.
Self-repairing seems attractive because of the savings on the job. Buying a module on the marketplace, you can save 2-3 thousand rubles. However, the risks are great: you can damage the plume when connected, incorrectly apply the glue B-7000 (or use the wrong analogue), which will detach the screen, or leave dust under the display.
In addition, when you repair yourself, you lose the warranty on any other nodes of the phone, if it was still in effect. If you damage the battery or the fee in the process, the cost of repair will increase significantly. For many users, the time spent finding tools (drivers, suckers, shoulder blades, glue), and the risk of ruining the device is not worth saving 2000 rubles.
☑️ Checklist before going to the service
Hidden costs and additional services
Often, the price is not finalized by the phone, and the diagnostic process may reveal additional problems, such as a battery that could have been affected by a heavy impact, and the Xiaomi Mi 9T has a battery glued to the body, and replacing it with a phone that is disassembled is ideal if the battery is already worn out.
And you also have to consider the cost of consumables. Good-quality glue for displays and back covers costs money. Some services include this in the price of work, others charge a separate fee for "sealing." If you are offered "scotch" or not to use glue at all, refuse - the phone will lose protection from dust and moisture, and the screen may begin to light up.
Another expense is diagnostics, which is free in good services, provided that you have to repair it further, and if you don't do it after the diagnosis, you can get 500 to 1,000 rubles for the time of the master, which is normal, because the technician took the time to disassemble the device.
- 🔋 Battery replacement: It is recommended to change with the screen if the phone is more 2 years (price) +1500-2500 ruble.).
- 🛡️ Protective glass: Many services offer or offer a discounted installation of protective glass after repair.
- 🧹 Cleaning speakers: While the phone is disassembled, the wizard can clean the auditory speaker of dust, improving the sound.
If spare parts are not available, the wait can take from 3 days to 2 weeks. Express repair (in the presence of the customer in 1 hour) usually costs 20-30% more than the standard.
Risks of cheap analogues and “restored” screens
Chasing low price often leads to substandard parts. In the case of the Xiaomi Mi 9T, this is especially critical because of the mechanical front camera. Cheap copies of displays often have incorrect proximity sensor calibration or mechanical obstacles to the outgoing camera module.
Use of the LCD-matrix OLED It's going to cause black to turn gray and the viewing angles to deteriorate. LCD-The screen may be larger than the original, which will lead to glass protruding over the frame or problems with closing the case. Touchscreen on cheap copies may work with delays or not support multi-touch.
⚠️ Note: Cheap copies of displays often don't have a fingerprint scanner (if it's underscreen) or Always On Display feature.
Restored screens can have a residual burn-in effect, where you can see traces of static images (icons, keyboards) on the screen, and you can check this by turning on the white picture at maximum brightness. If you notice pinkish or yellowish spots, it's marriage.