Screen replacement is the most common repair on any bench, and the panel you fit decides how the phone looks, how the customer feels about the repair, and your margin. This guide explains the screen types and quality tiers in plain terms so you can quote the right option every time.
The screen technologies
- OLED / Soft & Hard OLED. Each pixel emits its own light, so blacks are true and contrast is highest. It matches the original on most modern iPhones (X and later) and flagship Samsungs. Hard OLED is more rigid and durable than soft OLED and usually costs more.
- Incell (LCD). The touch digitiser is fused into the LCD as one layer. It is bright, robust and affordable, which makes it a strong value choice for LCD-era iPhones (up to iPhone 11) and many budget repairs. Blacks are greyer and off-angle colour shifts more than OLED.
- TFT. The cheapest aftermarket LCD type. Fine for the lowest-cost repairs, but colour, brightness and viewing angles are noticeably weaker, and features like True Tone are usually unsupported.
Original vs aftermarket vs refurbished
Original (OEM)
A genuine panel, either pulled from a donor device or service stock. Colour, brightness and touch are exactly as designed and features like True Tone work without extra steps. It is the most expensive option and the right one for flagship phones and colour-critical customers.
Aftermarket
Third-party panels built to fit the same model. Quality spans a wide range, so buy by tier: premium hard-OLED for flagships, quality incell for value repairs, and basic TFT only for the cheapest jobs. A reliable supplier and consistent tiers matter more than the label on the box.
Refurbished
An original panel with the glass and sometimes the touch layer replaced. It keeps OEM colour at a lower price, but refurbishing quality varies, so inspect for lamination bubbles, dust under the glass and touch response before fitting.
How to choose
- Flagship phone or fussy customer, buy OEM or premium hard-OLED.
- LCD-era or budget phone, a quality incell panel is the value sweet spot.
- Cheapest possible repair, TFT, and tell the customer what they are getting.
- Need original colour on a budget, consider a well-refurbished OEM panel.
Before you fit it
Test every screen before assembly: full-screen colour images to check for dead pixels and tint, a white image for backlight bleed, and an edge-to-edge touch test. On iPhones, transfer True Tone data with a programmer if the panel supports it. Work under a microscope for connector and FPC inspection, and browse current stock on the shop page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an original and an aftermarket screen?
An original (OEM) screen uses the same panel the phone shipped with, so colour, brightness and touch behave exactly as designed. An aftermarket screen is made by a third party to fit the same model at a lower price, with quality that ranges from near-OEM to basic depending on the tier.
What is the difference between OLED and incell screens?
OLED panels light each pixel individually, giving true blacks and the deepest colour, and they match the original on most modern iPhones and Samsungs. Incell is an LCD technology that bonds the touch layer into the display; it is brighter in direct sunlight and cheaper, but blacks are greyer and viewing angles are narrower than OLED.
Does an aftermarket iPhone screen lose True Tone?
Often yes, unless the original backlight/True Tone data is transferred to the new panel with a programmer. Many aftermarket OLED and incell screens support True Tone restoration; basic TFT panels usually do not.
Which screen should I fit for a customer?
For flagship phones and customers who care about colour accuracy, fit an OEM or premium hard-OLED aftermarket panel. For budget repairs and older or lower-cost models, a good incell panel gives the best value. Always tell the customer which tier they are getting.