You Can Actually Replace Your iPhone X or XS’ Screen with an LCD (Cheaply)

Most people love the stunning OLED displays on the iPhone X, XS, and XS Max devices. They’re big, bold, and beautiful; well until you break one. Then it’s a nightmare.

Replacing a screen can be an expensive proposition, especially if you want a display that’s as close to the original as possible. But now, iFixit hopes to take the sting out of a screen replacement by offering a low-cost LCD screen replacement.

For some consumers, price is no option. They want an OEM display and will choose to pay Apple’s $280 fee for a replacement outside of AppleCare. Although, folks who want to save a bit of money, and don’t mind some DIY, can go to iFixit and pick up an OLED display for around $180. That’s still a lot of money for a single component, especially for a phone that can be a few years old now.

But now, cost-conscious consumers can choose an LCD for their iPhone from iFixit. iFixit’s new screen for the iPhone X costs $75, $85 for the iPhone XS hand $165 for the larger iPhone XS Max.

These low-cost screens may be attractive price-wise, but they come with a compromise. They aren’t as bright as the original OLED displays and even have a lower resolution. The contrast and color also are slightly different.

It may be a step downward in display quality, but as iFixit points out, Apple currently uses LCDs in its iPhone 8 and XR models. For those who don’t want to invest a lot in a repair, these new LCDs might be an affordable alternative that’s worth the downgrade.