Repair or Replace? How to Decide If Your Broken Phone Is Worth Fixing
Three questions settle it for most phones: what the repair costs compared with the phone's value, whether it still gets updates, and whether anything else is about to fail.
Quick answer
Repair your phone if the fix costs less than about half of what the phone is worth, it still gets software updates, and nothing else is failing. A new screen or battery on a phone from the last few years usually passes all three tests. Replace it if it no longer gets updates, needs several major repairs at once, or the repair costs more than a good used copy of the same phone.
- The 50% rule: if the repair costs less than half the phone's current value, repair it.
- Check software support: Google promises 7 years of updates for the Pixel 8 and later; Samsung committed to 7 years from the Galaxy S24.
- If the battery is under 80% health, replace it in the same visit. It often makes an old phone feel new.
- Repairing keeps a working phone out of landfill and usually costs a fraction of a new flagship.
"Should I just get a new phone?" We hear it every day at our shop on Bronson Avenue, usually from someone holding a phone with a spiderweb crack. Sometimes the answer really is to upgrade. Most of the time it isn't. Three questions settle it for almost every phone.
Question 1: Does the repair cost less than half the phone's value?
This is the 50% rule. Look up what your model sells for used, in good condition. If the repair costs less than half of that, fixing it is almost always the better deal.
For a sense of scale, Apple's out-of-warranty screen repair prices in Canada run from $179 to $499 and Samsung's suggested Galaxy S screen prices from $225 to $468, while a new flagship phone costs well over $1,000. Independent shops usually quote less than the manufacturers. Our iPhone and Samsung price guides have the model-by-model numbers.
Question 2: Does it still get software updates?
Updates keep your phone secure and your apps working. A phone that no longer gets them is a poor candidate for an expensive repair.
- Google Pixel: Google promises 7 years of updates for the Pixel 8 and later, and 5 years for the Pixel 6 and 7.
- Samsung Galaxy: Samsung committed to 7 years of updates for its flagships starting with the Galaxy S24.
- iPhone: Apple doesn't publish a fixed number, but it typically supports iPhones for many years. Check Settings › General › Software Update to see if yours still gets new versions.
Question 3: Is anything else about to fail?
A cracked screen on an otherwise healthy phone is an easy call. A cracked screen plus a dying battery plus a loose charging port is a different story. Check battery health first: on an iPhone it's in Settings › Battery › Battery Health. Apple designs iPhone 14 and earlier batteries to keep 80% of their capacity at 500 full cycles, and iPhone 15 models at 1,000 cycles. Below 80%, a new battery is worth doing in the same visit. See our battery replacement guide.
When repairing is the clear winner
- A cracked screen or back glass on a phone from the last few years.
- A battery that drains by lunch. A new battery is one of the cheapest ways to make a phone feel new.
- A charging port full of lint, or a worn port. Charging port repairs start from $79 at Hotspot, and sometimes all it needs is a cleaning.
- A camera lens, speaker or microphone problem. These are small, quick repairs.
When replacing makes more sense
- The phone no longer gets software updates.
- It needs several major repairs at once, adding up to more than half its value.
- It has serious liquid damage to the main board and you don't need anything on it. (If you do need the data, see data recovery.)
- You were planning to upgrade soon anyway. A cheaper repair can still raise its resale value first.
Resale value and genuine parts
A repaired phone sells for more than a cracked one. On iPhones, Settings shows which parts were replaced: parts installed through Apple's processes appear as "Genuine" or "Used", and non-genuine parts appear as "Unknown Part", which Apple says might affect trade-in value. If you plan to sell soon, ask which grade of part you're getting. Our guide to the Unknown Part message explains more.
The environmental side
Every repair keeps a working phone out of the waste stream and delays manufacturing a new one. When a phone truly is at the end of its life, recycle it properly; here's where to recycle an old phone in Ottawa.
Still unsure? Bring it to 572 Bronson Avenue for a free diagnostic. We'll tell you what it costs and whether we'd fix it ourselves.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth fixing a cracked phone screen?
For most phones from the last four or five years, yes. A screen replacement costs a fraction of a new phone and restores it completely. It's less worth it on a phone that no longer gets software updates or that has other serious problems.
What is the 50% rule for phone repairs?
If the repair costs less than half of what your phone is worth in working condition (check used prices for the same model), repair it. If it costs more, a replacement is usually better value.
How long do phones get software updates?
Google promises 7 years of updates for the Pixel 8 and later and 5 years for the Pixel 6 and 7. Samsung committed to 7 years for its flagships starting with the Galaxy S24. Apple doesn't publish a fixed number, but it typically supports iPhones for many years.
Should I fix my phone before selling or trading it in?
Often, yes. A cracked phone sells for much less. Keep in mind that Apple lists non-genuine parts in Settings and says an Unknown Part might affect trade-in value, so ask which part you're getting.
What if the repair isn't worth it?
We'll tell you. You can still recover your photos and data, and recycle the old phone responsibly through an authorized drop-off point.
Sources & further reading
- Learn when you'll get software updates on Google Pixel phones — Google Pixel Help
- Apple Service and Repair for iPhone Screens — Apple Support (Canada)
- Out of Warranty Pricing — Samsung Canada
- iPhone battery and performance — Apple Support (Canada)
- iPhone Parts and Service History — Apple Support (Canada)
Prices and details were checked on September 27, 2026. They can change; call us for today's price.
