In this article
Key takeaways
- Back up first, and switch the phone off if it has liquid damage. Don’t charge it, and don’t use rice or a hairdryer.
- Screens and batteries are usually good repair candidates. Water damage and motherboard faults are less predictable.
- Ask for a quote before work starts, and ask what warranty covers the parts and the labour.
- In South Africa, parts fitted during a repair, and the labour to fit them, carry a warranty of at least three months.
A cracked screen or a phone that is dead by lunchtime feels like a good excuse to upgrade. Sometimes it is. Often, though, a repair costs a fraction of a new device and gives you years of extra use.
This guide walks through what to do in the first few minutes, how to tell when repairing makes sense, and what to ask any repair shop before you hand your phone over.
What to do first
- Back up what you can. Photos, contacts and chats are far harder to recover after a failed repair than before one. If the screen still works, back up now.
- Stop using a badly cracked screen. Loose glass can cut your fingers, and flexing the phone can spread the damage to the display underneath.
- Protect the screen if you must keep using it. A clear screen protector or wide tape over the cracks helps keep fragments in place until the repair.
- Note what happened. When did the problem start, and was there a drop, a spill or an update? This helps a technician find the cause faster.
Which faults are usually worth repairing
The table below is a general guide. The right answer depends on the model, the extent of the damage and what a technician finds when they inspect it.
| Problem | Usually repairable? | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Cracked screen, touch still works | Often yes | The display is replaced as a unit. Check that the repair price makes sense for the model. |
| Battery drains fast or shuts off | Often yes | A new battery restores day-long use on many phones. Age and condition of the rest of the phone still matter. |
| Charging port won’t charge | Often yes | Lint or debris is a common cause, so cleaning is worth trying first. A worn port can be replaced. |
| Liquid damage | Uncertain | Results vary, and some damage appears days later. Data recovery can’t be guaranteed. |
| Phone won’t switch on at all | Depends on the cause | It could be the battery, the screen or the board. Diagnosis comes first. |
Repair or replace: how to decide
A common rule of thumb is that a repair is worth it when it costs well under half the price of a comparable replacement phone. Treat that as a starting point, not a law. Weigh these points as well:
- Age and software support. If the phone no longer receives security updates, a repair buys you hardware, not safety.
- Other problems. If the phone is slow, full of faults or has already been repaired a few times, a new device may be better value.
- What you actually need. If the phone does everything you want, a repair avoids the cost of moving data, apps and accessories.
- Sentimental or data value. Some phones hold things that matter more than the hardware does.
You can see typical repair prices for popular phones on our repairs pricing page. Compare them with the cost of a replacement model before you decide.
Original or third-party parts?
Not all replacement parts are equal, and a good shop will tell you exactly what they’re fitting. Original (manufacturer-grade) parts are the closest match to what came with your phone. Quality-tested third-party parts usually cost less and suit many repairs well.
Neither is automatically right. What matters is that you get a clear choice and a clear price before the work starts. We list both options on our pricing page where they are available.
Keeping your data safe during a repair
- Back up before you hand the phone over, even if you trust the shop.
- Tell the technician about any passcode or security lock the phone needs.
- Ask what happens to your data during the repair. Most screen and battery repairs don’t need access to your files, but some diagnostics do.
- Remember that liquid damage and board-level repairs can’t guarantee your data will survive.
Your rights and the repair warranty
Under South Africa’s Consumer Protection Act, a service provider warrants every new or reconditioned part installed during a repair, and the labour needed to fit it, for three months from the installation date, or for longer if the provider specifies in writing.
In practice, this means you should always ask for an invoice that lists the parts fitted and any warranty period, and you should keep it. If the same fault returns within the warranty period, go back to the shop and show them the invoice.
Questions to ask any repair shop
- Will you give me a quote before you start, and is there a diagnostic fee?
- Are the parts original or third-party, and what is the price difference?
- How long will it take, and does that depend on ordering a part?
- What warranty do you give on the parts and the labour, and will it be written on the invoice?
- What happens to my data, and what should I do before I bring the phone in?
- Can you come to me, or do I need to bring the phone in?
House calls or workshop?
Some repairs, such as many screen and battery replacements, are suitable for a visit at your home or office. Others, such as liquid damage or board-level faults, usually need the phone in a workshop with proper tools. In Johannesburg we offer both, and we tell you which one applies when you book a repair.
The short version
Back up, switch off a wet phone, and get an inspection before you decide. Repair is usually the better choice for a cracked screen or a tired battery on a phone that is otherwise healthy, while replacement makes more sense when the phone is old, unsupported or failing in several ways. Whatever you choose, get the quote and the warranty in writing.
Want to know your options? Read about our electronic repair service, or contact us with the model and the problem.
Written by
AutocratTech Team
Electronic repair specialists, Johannesburg
