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Your iPhone screen is cracked, but it still works… for now. Should you repair it immediately or can you wait? Here’s everything Singapore iPhone users need to know about cracked screens and when they become urgent.
Is It Safe to Use a Cracked iPhone Screen?
Short answer: It depends on the severity of the crack.
You can probably wait if:
✅ It’s a minor crack in the corner
✅ Touch functionality works perfectly
✅ No glass shards are falling off
✅ The crack isn’t spreading
✅ Screen protector is holding the glass together
Get it fixed IMMEDIATELY if:
⚠️ Touch screen is unresponsive in areas
⚠️ Glass pieces are falling out
⚠️ You see colorful lines or black spots
⚠️ The crack is growing
⚠️ You can see the LCD/OLED underneath
⚠️ Water resistance is compromised
Types of iPhone Screen Damage Explained
1. Hairline Crack (Minor)
What it looks like: Small, thin crack on the surface glass
Risk level: Low
Can you wait? Yes, 1-4 weeks is usually safe
Cost in Singapore: $80-$120 for older models
2. Spider Web Crack (Moderate)
What it looks like: Multiple cracks radiating from impact point
Risk level: Medium
Can you wait? 1-2 weeks maximum
Cost in Singapore: $100-$250 depending on model
3. Shattered Screen (Severe)
What it looks like: Glass pieces loose or falling off
Risk level: HIGH – Fix within 1-3 days
Cost in Singapore: $120-$450+ (iPhone 15 Pro Max)
4. LCD/OLED Damage
What it looks like: Black spots, colored lines, screen flickering
Risk level: CRITICAL – Fix immediately
Cost in Singapore: $180-$600 (OLED screens more expensive)
What Happens If You Wait Too Long?
1. Dust and Moisture Get Inside
Singapore’s humid climate is particularly bad for cracked screens!
Problems:
- Humidity seeps through cracks
- Internal components corrode
- Logic board damage (expensive!)
- Face ID/Touch ID sensors fail
💧 Singapore tip: Our 80%+ humidity accelerates internal damage!
2. Cuts and Injuries
Real dangers:
- Sharp glass edges can cut your fingers
- Glass shards can get stuck in skin
- Increased risk when using phone at night
- Children are especially vulnerable
🩹 We’ve seen many customers with cut fingers from cracked screens!
3. The Crack Spreads
Small cracks grow over time due to:
- Pressure from putting phone in pockets
- Temperature changes (especially aircon to outdoor heat in Singapore)
- Phone flexing during normal use
- Accidental drops worsening existing damage
📈 Real data: 70% of customers report cracks growing within 2-4 weeks
4. Touch Screen Stops Working
Cracks can damage the digitizer (touch sensor) underneath:
Progressive failure:
- Week 1: Small dead spots appear
- Week 2-3: Ghost touches (phone acts on its own)
- Week 4+: Large portions of screen become unresponsive
⚠️ Warning: Once touch fails completely, emergency calls become impossible!
5. Display Issues Develop
Common problems after delayed repair:
- Black spots appear and grow
- Green/purple lines across screen
- Screen flickers or dims randomly
- Backlight bleeding
- Complete display failure
💰 Cost impact: Display issues add $50-$150 to repair costs!
6. Water Damage (The Expensive One)
Even "water-resistant" iPhones lose protection with cracked screens:
What happens:
- Water enters through cracks during rain
- Bathroom moisture damages internals
- Spills that would normally be safe cause damage
- Humidity accumulates inside (big issue in Singapore!)
💸 Water damage repair: $200-$800+ or phone may be unrepairable
7. Resale Value Drops Significantly
Planning to trade in or sell your iPhone?
Value decrease:
- Minor crack: -30% to -40% value
- Major crack: -50% to -70% value
- Crack + display issues: -70% to -90% value
- Water damaged: Nearly worthless
Example:
iPhone 14 Pro (128GB) Carousell prices:
- Perfect condition: $800-$900
- Minor crack: $500-$650
- Cracked + display issues: $250-$400
When You MUST Fix It Immediately
Critical Situations (Fix Within 24-48 Hours):
-
Glass falling out of the frame
- Risk: Further damage, cuts, internal component exposure
-
Display showing lines, spots, or flickering
- Risk: Complete display failure imminent
-
Touch screen not working in areas
- Risk: Phone becomes unusable, can’t make emergency calls
-
You can see inside the phone through the crack
- Risk: Rapid internal corrosion (especially in Singapore humidity)
-
The crack is growing daily
- Risk: Repair costs increase as damage spreads
-
Upcoming travel plans
- Risk: Phone failure during trip is extremely inconvenient
Temporary Solutions (Until You Can Repair)
1. Apply a Screen Protector Immediately
Why it helps:
- Holds glass pieces together
- Prevents cuts
- Slows crack spreading
- Provides temporary water resistance
Where to get in Singapore:
- Challenger, Courts, Harvey Norman
- Any phone accessory shop
- Convenience stores (Basic protectors ~$5-$10)
💡 Pro tip: Tempered glass protector works best (not plastic film)
2. Use a Protective Case
Benefits:
- Prevents frame from flexing (slows crack growth)
- Adds impact protection against further drops
- Covers sharp edges
🛡️ Recommended: Thick silicone or heavy-duty cases
3. Avoid Extreme Temperatures
Be extra careful in Singapore:
- Don’t leave phone in hot car
- Avoid direct sunlight
- Be gentle when moving between aircon and outdoor heat
- Temperature shock accelerates crack spreading
4. Keep It Dry
Essential in humid Singapore:
- Don’t use phone in bathroom steam
- Avoid using during rain
- Keep away from drinks/water
- Use in aircon environments when possible
5. Enable AssistiveTouch (For Touch Screen Issues)
If parts of screen stop responding:
Setup:
- Settings → Accessibility → Touch
- Turn on AssistiveTouch
- A floating button appears – use this instead of broken areas
📱 This gives you a virtual home button and other controls!
Should You Use a Warranty or Insurance?
AppleCare+ (If you have it)
Coverage:
- 2 incidents per year
- Screen repair: S$38 service fee
- Other damage: S$128 service fee
✅ Worth it! Much cheaper than out-of-pocket repairs
How to claim:
- Book appointment at Apple Orchard Road
- Bring your iPhone and ID
- Pay service fee
- Repair takes 1-2 hours (or same-day)
Credit Card Insurance
Some Singapore credit cards include phone insurance:
- DBS/POSB cards (some premium cards)
- OCBC cards (selected)
- Citibank
- HSBC
Check if:
- You bought the iPhone with that card
- It’s within coverage period (usually 6-12 months from purchase)
- Accidental damage is covered
⚠️ Note: You typically pay repair first, then claim reimbursement
Mobile Insurance Plans
Available in Singapore:
- Singtel Mobile Protect
- StarHub Mobile Insurance
- M1 Device Protection
- Standalone insurers
Considerations:
- Monthly premiums: $6-$15
- Claim excess: $50-$100
- Coverage limits and exclusions apply
DIY vs Professional Repair: What You Need to Know
Why DIY is Risky for iPhone Screens
Common DIY problems:
❌ Replacement screens from Shopee/Lazada are often low quality
❌ Face ID stops working if cables damaged
❌ Touch sensitivity issues with cheap parts
❌ No water resistance after repair
❌ Void any remaining warranty
💰 Hidden cost: Many DIY attempts fail, then need professional repair anyway = 2x cost!
Professional Repair Benefits
What you get:
✅ Quality parts with warranty
✅ Proper tools and expertise
✅ Face ID/Touch ID preserved
✅ Water resistance restored (when possible)
✅ Same-day service often available
✅ 30-90 day warranty on repair
iPhone Screen Repair Costs in Singapore (2026)
Older Models (iPhone 11, 12, SE)
- Authorized shops: $150-$250
- Third-party: $80-$150
- DIY kits: $50-$80 (not recommended)
Mid-Range (iPhone 13, 14)
- Authorized shops: $200-$350
- Third-party: $120-$220
Latest Models (iPhone 15, 16)
- Apple Store: $450-$550
- Authorized: $300-$450
- Third-party: $200-$350
Pro Max Models (OLED screens)
- Apple Store: $550-$750
- Authorized: $400-$600
- Third-party: $280-$450
💡 AppleCare+ holders: Only $38 regardless of model!
How Long Does Screen Repair Take?
Apple Store (Orchard Road):
- With appointment: 1-2 hours
- Walk-in: 2-4 hours (depending on queue)
- Mail-in: 5-7 days
BreakFixNow & Similar Shops:
- Most iPhones: 30-60 minutes
- Latest models: 1-2 hours (parts availability)
- Walk-in usually accepted
Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Repair Shop
✅ Do you use original or high-quality replacement parts?
✅ What warranty do you provide?
✅ Will Face ID/Touch ID continue working?
✅ Do you restore water resistance?
✅ What’s your repair time?
✅ Can I see reviews from other customers?
✅ What if the repair fails?
🚩 Red flags:
- No warranty offered
- Prices way too cheap (likely poor quality parts)
- Can’t show previous work/reviews
- Vague about what parts they use
Get Your iPhone Screen Fixed in Singapore
Stop waiting and risking further damage!
Visit BreakFixNow for expert iPhone screen repair:
✅ High-quality parts with warranty
✅ Same-day service for most models
✅ Experienced technicians who preserve Face ID/Touch ID
✅ Transparent pricing – no hidden costs
✅ Water resistance restoration
✅ Located in Singapore – convenient location
📍 Walk-ins welcome!
📞 Contact BreakFixNow today for a free quote!
Don’t wait until it’s too late – small cracks become expensive problems in Singapore’s humid climate!
Final Verdict: How Long Can You Wait?
| Damage Type | Maximum Wait Time | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| Minor hairline crack | 2-4 weeks | Low |
| Corner crack (not spreading) | 1-2 weeks | Low-Medium |
| Spider web crack | 3-7 days | Medium-High |
| Loose glass pieces | 1-2 days | High |
| Display issues visible | 24 hours | Critical |
| Touch not working | Immediately | Critical |
⚠️ Singapore factor: Reduce wait times by 30-50% due to our humid climate accelerating damage!
Last updated: February 2026