Original vs Compatible Screens For iPhone


We offer our customers two types of replacement screen for Apple iPhones: Original and Compatible.

You can select either option online or in-store.

Apple iPhone Repairs

What You Need To Know

  • Original screens have a sharper display and better overall quality.
  • Both screen options come with a 12-month warranty on manufacturing defects and touch faults. Physical damage and cracked screens void the warranty.
  • We keep both options in stock. 
  • You will not lose any functionality by opting for a compatible screen.
  • We cannot transfer True Tone to compatible screens in some cases.
  • A water resistant seal is not guaranteed with either option - as with any water resistant device that has been physically damaged or repaired.
  • For newer models, you will get a display message after repair, regardless of what screen we fit. This is because screens are serialised. This shows up an an "Unknown Part" in service history. More info here.
  • We only fit compatible screens for older models: iPhone 4, 4S, 5, 5S, 5C, SE, 6, 6 Plus, 6S & 6S Plus. This is because compatible screens are very similar to original, and therefore better value. Also, both supply and demand for old original displays is very low.

We highly recommend reading this: 
Important Information - Apple iPhone Screen Replacement

Why We Offer Both Options
Whilst we'd prefer to only fit OEM and original parts, replacement OEM screens can be expensive to buy, and so a repair is not within everyone's budget.  

Whilst most repair centres will only offer copy screens (and perhaps tell you that they're original); and Apple only offer their own original screens; we like to give our customers the choice.

How To Pick
We recommend that you base your choice on the following criteria:

  • Your budget - if you can afford the extra, go for OEM.
  • How much you use your device/how important it is to you - if you don't use it much, go for Non-OEM.
  • What you use your device for - gaming, media and creative uses are better suited to an OEM screen.
  • How long you plan on keeping your device for - if you're due an upgrade next month, perhaps opt for the Non-OEM option.
  • How likely you are to break it again - if you're generally careful, and you use a protective case, we'd recommend OEM.

Product Specifics

Original - OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)

The screens are manufactured to the same specification as the original, or are original LCD’s/OLED's (display panels) that have been refurbished with brand new OEM-quality glass and touchscreen, so it looks and works just like the original part. In most cases, we refurbish original displays.

Apple do not sell their parts, so this is the highest quality option that you can get at a repair centre.

Fault/defect rate: 1-2%

Compatible - Non-OEM (Not Original Equipment Manufacturer)

These screens are aftermarket. They are designed and manufactured by an alternative company to be fully compatible with the relevant model.

Display quality and resolution is not quite as good. For LCD screens, these components utilise a medium brightness backlight, as opposed to a high brightness backlight. 

Not all screens are equal. We use the highest quality compatible assemblies available. They cost a little bit more, but they are more reliable. 

Fault/defect rate: 3-4% 

If you're not happy with the compatible screen, you can pay the difference to upgrade to an original screen at no additional labour cost. 

For models that use OLED screens; iPhone X, XS, XS Max, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, 12 series, 13 series and 14 series; we offer one or two compatible options: 

Non-OEM (Compatible LCD) 

HQ Non-OEM (Compatible OLED)

LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display. OLED stands for Organic Light-Emitting Diode. OLED is a newer, more advanced technology which offers superior quality and performance to LCD. OLED screens have better contrast, higher brightness, fuller viewing angle, wider colour range and faster refresh rates.

Aftermarket manufacturers have created an LCD that is compatible with iPhone's that use OLED screens. The display quality is not as good as an OLED screen. LCD screens consumer more power, so battery life may be slightly lower. An LCD screen is the cheapest available option.

We use Soft OLED screens, which are significantly better quality than Hard OLED versions. They fit into the frame properly and are more durable. The overall quality and functionality of these screens are close to original screens, yet not as expensive.

If your device uses an OLED, we recommend having an OLED replacement screen fitted.

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