Chosen Solution
Hello. I’m the owner/operator of a small iPhone repair shop. Does anyone out there know why the iPhone 5 replacement screen is so expensive? Is it a supply issue? Is it a new technology issue? Also, any speculation on whether the price will come down? The best price I’m getting them for is $250-265. At that price, I charge my customers $300 for the repair. Apple charges $229 (I think). I’m concerned this is the beginning of the end of my business if the prices don’t come down. Any insight from other repair shops?
It’s simple supply and demand. Apple can’t make the iPhone fast enough and haven’t even launched in all countries yet. The price will come down as soon as Apple can easily keep up with demand. The new screens also use new technology to be produced. This new technology means that no one can make copy versions that are much cheaper either.
It’s a supply issue. iPhone 5 uses an in-cell LCD/touch combo panel, most other LCD manufacturers that offer iPhone 4 panels can’t supply. The ones that do simply does not take orders from anyone other than Apple. In the early days the OEM part suppliers literally have to buy phones and resell them for parts. the price was in the $250-300 range. Now they can buy cracked screen and recover the LCD panel, the price is around $100 Now the Chinese websites sell the entire front panel assemblies that include everything at ¥400-600 range, which is $65-100. I wonder if it’s profitable to sell them overseas.
