According to them the iPhone 5s has been a ‘goose that laid a golden egg’ with 14 common repairs and driving about 60% of its business “They just break all the time” she said. Their little kiosk was doing about $10,000 a week worth of repairs including (6 and 6 Plus prices in brackets):
- Glass replacement (not LCD) $109 ($169/219)
- Charging port $59 ($89)
- Power switch $69 ($89)
- Home Switch (not touch ID sensor) $69 ($89)
- Housing (scratched or dented replacement) $149 ($199)
- Headphone jack $59 ($89)
- Battery $69 ($89)
- Earpiece Speaker $49 ($59)
- Front camera $69 ($79)
- Rear camera $69 ($89)
- Proximity sensor $69 ($79)
- Vibration motor $59 ($89)
- Microphone $59 ($79)
- Loudspeaker $49 ($89)
The iPhone 6 and Plus have just started to appear and glass replacement is at the top of the list.
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But, here is the kicker – the industries dirty little secret - many repairers are low cost using aftermarket parts including:
- Glass screen $2-5
- Battery $13
- Housing $55
- Home button $1.50
- LCD screen – from $25 to $70
The tools required cost as little as $17 for a basic repair platform to about $450 for a three in one automated LCD separator, glue remover, and middle bezel frame separator. I am told the best machine is a four in one model from Japan that costs around $2,000 but they were not aware of anyone using it in Australia. My local repairer uses a hair dryer for heat and a suction cup to remove the screen. It is that easy.
They can also replace motherboards (usually purchased second hand from phone recyclers) but most people walk away from quotes of $300 or more. They do a great trade in selling second hand 4s and 5s to this group who would generally have to wait out their telco contract period.
I asked about Samsung Galaxy S3, S4 and S5 and their comment was that cracked glass was the most common issue (typically $100-139) but because the battery and rear cover were user replaceable, it was far easier to repair.
Most offer a self-insurance cover for glass screen replacement of $35 for one year – easy to do when it costs $2 as an iPart.
My local Apple Store would not comment except to say that most users took out Apple Care cover for out of warranty service (iPhone 5S, 6, 6 Plus $388.95/$428.95/$469.95 respectively). Their replacement price for an iPhone 6 glass screen was $168.95 and the 6 Plus and 5S $198.95. The battery was $109 plus $20 shipping if applicable.
Opinion
Yes, the prices are off the planet – but labour is the highest cost and everyone needs to make a profit to survive. If one little kiosk at a shopping centre is doing $10K per week imagine how big the repair game is.
What I found interesting is three issues:
First, the self-insurance offer – there is serious money to be made there.
Next, the aftermarket spare parts that appear to be as good as genuine parts (but I am in no position to declare that).
Finally, the apparent number of people who have a phone on telco contract and the offer and take-up rates of a replacement phone – ranging in cost from about $70 up to $200 instead of a repair.
Thin and light is fine but more effort needs to go into unbreakable front glass.
