Quick answer: Compare the repair price with what your phone is worth today. If the repair costs under 25% of its resale value, repair. Between 25% and 50%, weigh its age and software support. Over 50%, replace. Batteries are almost always worth replacing. If the phone is under a year old, use the warranty or AppleCare+ first. Updated November 2026.
Your phone’s screen cracks. The battery barely holds a charge. Water gets into the charging port. Before you buy a new phone, ask yourself: is repair actually cheaper? Here’s a simple framework using Singapore prices.
The Simple Rule
| Repair cost vs phone’s resale value | Decision |
|---|---|
| Under 25% | Repair |
| 25–50% | Weigh it up: age, software support, condition |
| Over 50% | Replace |
Decision Framework: Real Scenarios
| Scenario | Resale value | Repair cost | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13, cracked screen | ~S$400 | S$78–98 (aftermarket) | Repair — about 20–25% of value, years of use left |
| Galaxy A15, heavy water damage | ~S$150 | ~S$250 | Replace — repair costs more than the phone is worth |
| iPhone 15 Pro, worn battery | ~S$1,100 | ~S$110 | Repair — about 10% of value |
| Galaxy S22, charging port | ~S$600 | ~S$220 | Borderline, but repair beats a S$600+ replacement |
For worn batteries, iPhone battery replacement is almost always the smarter choice than a new phone.
Hidden Costs of Replacing
| Replace | Repair | |
|---|---|---|
| Device / repair | S$400–1,500 | S$80–300 |
| Extras | Case and protector S$20–50; insurance if you buy it | None |
| Time | 2–4 hours to set up and transfer data | Usually 30 minutes to 3 hours |
| Data | Needs a transfer | Stays on the phone for parts-only repairs |
Phone Age and What to Do
| Phone age | Typical resale value | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1 year | 70–90% | Use the warranty or AppleCare+ first |
| 1–3 years | 40–60% | Repair if under about 30% of value |
| 3–5 years | 10–30% | Repair cheap faults (battery, screen); think twice about expensive ones |
| 5+ years | 0–10% | Likely replace, especially if updates have stopped |
iPhone vs Android Depreciation
iPhones usually hold their value longer than most Android phones. As a rough guide, a 2-year-old iPhone 13 might fetch around S$400, while a 2-year-old Galaxy S22 might fetch around S$300. So the same repair is often better value on an iPhone than on an Android phone of the same age.
Typical Repair Costs in Singapore
| Repair | Typical cost | Usually worth it? |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15 screen | S$118–138 aftermarket | Yes |
| Samsung S24 screen | S$220–280 | Yes, if the phone is worth S$600+ |
| Budget Android screen | S$100–150 | Only if the phone is worth S$400+ |
| Battery | S$80–130 | Almost always |
| Water damage | S$150–500 | Depends on the damage — get a diagnosis |
| Camera | S$200–350 | Depends on the phone’s value |
| Speaker | S$100–150 | Usually |
See iPhone screen replacement prices by model.
Environmental Impact
Most of a smartphone’s lifetime carbon footprint comes from making it — typically in the range of 55–85kg CO2e. Keeping your current phone running for an extra year or two with a repair avoids much of that.
Decision Checklist
- Is the phone under about 5 years old?
- Is the repair under about 40% of its resale value?
- Does it still get software updates?
- Are you happy with it otherwise?
- Is the rest of the phone in good shape?
Mostly yes: repair. Mostly no: replace.
Final Thoughts
Most phones stay usable for 4–5 years. A S$100–200 repair today can push back an S$800+ purchase by a couple of years. Repair first, and replace when the numbers or the software support say it’s time.
Not sure whether to repair? Free diagnosis, a clear quote and an honest repair-or-replace recommendation. Walk in at Bugis, Marine Parade, Jurong East or Ang Mo Kio, no appointment needed.
Related: Official vs independent phone repair · Phone water damage repair
The 25 / 50 Rule
Repair or replace advice
90-day warrantyFree check