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The difference between cheap screens and expensive screens

Posted on | by Dawn Heller

When shopping for broken screen replacement prices for your phone, you may encounter a wide variety of prices, mostly due to the quality of screens and labor.

Most modern phones run on OLED screens. Older phones run on older technology, LCD screens.

A quick search from Google best explains the difference:  The main difference between LCD and OLED screens on a phone lies in how they create images and how they handle color and contrast. LCDs use a backlight to illuminate liquid crystals, while OLEDs have each pixel light up individually. This difference results in OLEDs offering better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, while LCDs often excel in brightness and are more affordable.

Here’s a more detailed comparison:

Backlight:
LCDs use a backlight to illuminate the screen, meaning they always emit some light even when displaying black. OLEDs, on the other hand, have each pixel light up individually, allowing for true blacks and deeper, richer colors.

Contrast Ratio:
OLEDs typically have a much higher contrast ratio, resulting in sharper, more vibrant images and true blacks. LCDs have a lower contrast ratio, leading to less contrast and potentially washed-out colors.

Color Accuracy:
OLEDs generally offer better color accuracy, with more vibrant and accurate colors, especially in low-light conditions. LCDs can have color shifting and a decrease in contrast when viewed from off-angles.

Power Consumption:
OLEDs can be more power-efficient because only the pixels that are actually displaying color need to be lit up, unlike LCDs that need the backlight on for the entire screen.

Viewing Angles:
OLEDs generally offer better viewing angles, with consistent color and brightness across a wider range of viewing angles. LCDs can experience color shifting and contrast loss when viewed from off-angles.

Durability:
LCDs are generally more durable and less prone to burn-in compared to OLEDs. OLEDs can experience image retention or burn-in if static images are displayed for long periods.

Cost:
LCDs are typically more affordable to produce, making them a common choice for lower-priced phones. OLEDs are more expensive to manufacture.

What we find is, the LCD screens tend to draw more power, therefore they run hot and drain the battery faster. Most phones were not made to produce the power that lcd screens demand, so the best long-term option for a phone in an OLED screen.

In terms of OLED screens, even there you have two options. The better option is one that is most comparable to the original screen, a soft OLED. The soft oled screens are not really softer, moreso flexible and less prone to break during a drop or fall. The hard oled screens are more brittle, and more likely to break.

Confusing, isn’t it?  No worries. Drop in some time to discuss options. Most iDropped repair shops offer various phone screen options with one to meet your budget, and a screen built to last longer.

How to know if your battery or charge port is bad

Posted on | by Dawn Heller

Often times we are asked to determine if the charge port is bad or if the battery needs to be replaced on a device.

If a device has trouble taking a charge, that would indicate a problem with the charge port.

If a device has trouble holding a charge, that would indicate a bad battery.

For charge port trouble, often times it just needs to be professionally cleaned. Most iDropped stores do this for free; others charge a nominal fee. If you have to hold a cable a certain way to charge it, or it feels like it doesn’t go in all the way, or if the cable won’t stay in the port, that is a symptom of a bad charge port that just needs to be professionally cleaned. 

In terms of symptoms of a bad battery, we’d advise you to check the settings for the battery health. Usually if the battery health is 80% or less on an iPhone, it is due for a new battery. Or, if it simply says “Service” in the battery settings. 

If a device charges slow, that can be the battery and/or the charge port, or a deeper issue on the charging circuit. Most of the time it is the charge port at fault. Sometimes it’s the battery. Rarely is it a deeper board issue, but that is possible. 

Drop by your local iDropped electronics repair shop for an honest assessment of your charging port and battery performance. Hope to see you soon! 

Common Xbox repairs

Posted on | by Dawn Heller

The most common failure for Xbox game consoles is.. you guessed it, hdmi ports!

Why? Perhaps because the hdmi port is one of the most heavily used ports on the console. 

Much like the Playstation, the hdmi port is soldered into the motherboard of the console, requiring special equipment and skill. Additionally, the Xbox boards tends to be thicker, requiring more heat to remove.

The XBox series X hdmi port in particular is significantly more difficult, due to extra solder pads near the front of the board as well as extra plastic anchors to the motherboard. There are also more components around the port that can become dislodged during removal, requiring a higher level of knowledge and skill to extract and install properly.

As with the Playstation console, it’s possible some of the solder pads may be damaged, requiring tiny jumper wires to correct.

When searching for the best place to fix your xbox, look for a place that is established for many years, a brand name with at least a decade of proven repair service, not a fly by night place.

The reputable repair shops should over an extended warranty on the hdmi port replacements. Beware no warranty places! As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. Without a warranty, chances are you’ll be paying a few times. 

We’d recommend iDropped, of course! Established in 2012, we are a trusted independent Xbox repair shop.

Playstation PS5 Hdmi Port Repairs

Posted on | by Dawn Heller

Playstation PS5 hdmi ports break often– how do you get them fixed and where?

One of the most common gaming repairs we see is the PS5 hdmi port. They are soldered into the motherboard of the console. When we look at this port under the microscope, we often times see it missing solder or very little solder that it’s bound to break. We joke, the factory put it together with spit & a prayer.

It takes special equipment and training to perform this repair, especially so that it holds up over time.

iDropped to the rescue! We have the microscope, hot air machines and soldering equipment to get your Playstation up and running again soon. Most iDropped locations do warranty this port for one year.

Many of our technicians that replace hdmi ports took specialized training programs and have access to mentors that teach this repair every day in case there are any complications. 

We can, if needed, run jumper wire and correct any pulled pads on the board, as repair consoles with additional complications from previous repairs.

While we’re at it, we can also clean your PS5, reset liquid metal, replace the power supply, disk drive, and repair many other issues with your Playstation.

“Drop” in some time and talk with us. We’re happy to help!

Common Motorola phone repairs

Posted on | by Dawn Heller

iDropped is more than just iPhone and Apple repair these days– we’ve fixed Motorola phones and other android devices for a while now. 

The most common problems to fix on Motorola phones is a cracked screen or bad image or touch not working, of course! Accidents happen, no matter what brand. You would have to check with your local iDropped, but some of our stores do stock the most common screens. Most screens are replaced within an hour or so and include a one year limited warranty.

Another common issue is battery replacements. Sometimes we see the back glass is lifting due to a battery that overheated and is pushing it up. When the battery is expanded like that, it is very dangerous, and it should be resolved timely whether you choose to get a repair or replacement. 

Motorola charge ports get worn out over time. Sometimes it just needs to be cleaned professionally. Some iDropped stores do this for free, others have a nominal fee. It’s common for debris to get compacted in the port. Other times charge ports needs to be replaced. iDropped can help with that too!

Other repairs included cracked camera lenses, buttons, cameras, and speakers.

One thing we really have to give Motorola credit for is speakers. They typically do have extraordinarily loud speakers!  If you find your Motorola phone sounds getting really soft, it may just need a professional cleaning. Drop in anytime!

The beauty of Samsung screen replacements

Posted on | by Dawn Heller

We see quite a broken Samsung phones every day at our iDropped electronics repair shop. 

Samsung actually does make their original screens available to repair shops unlike a few other manufacturers. Unfortunately the price point they offer on these parts is often high, especially for the higher end phones like the S series (S25, S24, S23 etc), Note Series, Flips and Folds.

That said, these are typically the most expensive phones and the parts that make them work tend to cost more than that of a lower end model. 

iDropped of Edwardsville and Dickson City typically do stock these screens, and it generally takes an hour or so for replacement usually. You would have to check with the Stroudsburg and Knoxville location in regards to what they typically stock. Generally even if a screen is not in stock, it can be ordered for arrival as early as the next day.

There are lower end aftermarket screens available, but usually these are not a good option if you are planning to use the phone rather than just turn it in for a credit with a carrier. 

The price point for more lower end models like the A series (A14, A15, A16, A32, A54, A55, etc) is closer to $100. Because these are cheaper phones, generally the cost of the parts are cheaper. Often times there are reasonable priced and well-performing aftermarket options for these models.

The tricky thing about replacing the screen on Samsung phones most of the time is remove the back glass without cracking it. These takes skill, heat, isopropyl alcohol and patience.

When you need a fix for your Samsung phone, give iDropped a ring for a price quote! We are upfront and transparent in pricing. We look forward to getting your broken Samsung phone back in your hands, working like a charm!  And yes, we do fix android phones and many more phones, for instance Motorola, Pixel, LG, OnePlus, and more.

iPhone back glass replacement rundown

Posted on | by Dawn Heller

One of the most frequent problems we encounter is cracked back glass on iPhones. Sometimes the back of the phone is smashed so bad there is a hole, and you can see the battery, charge port, and other components inside the phone.

For cracked back glass that doesn’t have a hole or any exposure on the back,  some customers on a budget opt to simply cover that with a case. Often times a surface fracture of the glass is just cosmetic.

Certainly though if there is any hole or exposure, that should be remedied to protect the internal components from heat, liquid, dust and other contaminants that can affect the life of the device. Let’s be honest, cracked back glass is not a good look. Many people do not like the look of smashed glass, reminding them of an event they’d rather forget. 

In terms of how the iPhone is made, for iPhone 8 series to 13 series, and the 14 Pro and Pro Max, the back glass is basically one with the frame. It takes an incredible amount of heat, power, precision, time and patience to remove the back glass without damaging any other component, like the power flex, camera, the flash, a microphone, charge port or battery.

Beware any person or place telling you they’re turnaround time is about an hour for a back glass replacement. Sure, it can be done, but there are consequences and usually these customers arrive on our doorstep for additional repairs such as no power, restarting, microphone not working, charge port not working, power button not working, damaged battery (we’ve seen batteries poked with knives!), no flashlight, bad camera, broken motherboard, and more.

Whenever adhesive is required for a repair, keep in mind it takes time to properly clean away old adhesive, and to reset the new adhesive properly. Some chop shops use peel and stick adhesive. This does not hold up over time. The best adhesive does require a proper cure time of a few hours. And, if bad or wrong adhesive is used, the phone smells of terrible adhesive, like a nail polish remover type of smell. Do you want that near your face on a call?

We started noticing as well, for shops that were doing glass only repairs, lots of tiny shards of glass and laser dust was left inside the phone. The laser dust could contribute to overheating in the future (plus it is nasty!), and as for the shards of glass, well, glass is conductive and it is really bad if it hits the wrong component on the motherboard or the battery. 

What’s the alternative? Frame replacements! These are much more difficult for a repair shop and involve more risk and often times less profit, but this is the best option for back glass replacements, especially if the repair shop can source a great OEM (original) frame. The drawback of this method to the customer is that the screen needs to be carefully lifted so as not to break it, and it does break the factory seal of the screen to the frame. That seal can be replaced but of course it will never be the same as brand new from the factory.

The good news is, beginning with the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, extended to the iPhone 15 and 16 series (and probably beyond!), Apple changed the way the phone is made, so the back glass can be more easily replaced. The back glass on these models is more like a modular plate, harkening back to their iPhone 4 design. The more things change, the more they stay the same, right? 

Is it worth it to get your smashed screen replaced or just buy a new one?

Posted on | by Dawn Heller

Cracked screens, smashed back glass, lines on the screen and touch not working — these are the problems we see every day in our phone repair shop.

Some people ask us, “is it worth replacing my screen or should I just get an upgrade?”

The short answer is, most of the time, yes it is worth repairing! And, it usually takes an hour or less. 

When is it not a good option to repair it? Certainly we are fans of keeping technology useful long past the one to two year cycle that manufacturers and wireless providers recommend, but there is a time to let the old tech go.

Because manufacturer improvements are so minimal anymore, most people keep their phones for about five years or so, rather than opting for a new one every year. After five years or so, you should consider upgrading.

Within the five years or so of ownership, many people do encounter mishaps that leave them with cracked glass, black screens, lines on the screens, can’t touch anywhere, and of course batteries do go bad over time and need replacement. iPhone screens and batteries are considered common maintenance services. Most of the time these can be handled by a local independent electronics repair shop.

If a phone experiences severe liquid exposure, sometimes that is equivalent to be “totaled” within reason, and at that time it makes more sense to invest in a replacement over repair. We can talk more about liquid damage on another article, but liquid exposure, or a severe drop or fall that causes board damage is another reason when it makes sense to replace a device over a repair. Most of the time though, liquid damage can result in a recovered working device. 

It is still common for us to see iPhone 8 series for screen replacements! What can we say, iPhones are built to last, and the longer you hold on to them, the more money you can save and put towards other expenses in your life, rather than a phone payment. We do see older iPhones on occasion, but not as many.

Why clog up landfills with perfectly usable tech? Tech repair is noble, much kinder to our planet than getting a new device every one to two years.  

iDropped has fixed thousands (maybe millions?) of devices since 2012. We’re locally owned and operated. We care about our customers and their devices. We’re proud that so many have chosen us as their local electronics mechanics for iPhones, Samsung phones, Motorola phones, Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo, iPads and iPods and other phones and electronics. If you have a tech problem, give us a call or stop in some time for an honest and fair assessment.  

Top 5 Shopping Apps for the Holidays

Posted on | by Boost MyRepair

While this year it’s more important than ever to shop local, we understand it’s not always an option when looking for a specific gift. We encourage everyone to shop local and shop small when possible, but when you’re looking to stay inside and shop online iDropped phone repair has you covered! Here are our top shopping apps for 2020.

Etsy

Etsy is the best way to shop small and shop online! Shop millions of handmade, personalized, one-of-a-kind gifts that are sure to impress the recipient! Esty is available online and on an app.

eBay

On eBay, you’ll find new or gently used items at a discounted price. Perfect for gifts and stocking stuffers for the holidays! eBay is also available to shop online.

Honey

Honey instantly finds discounts and coupons for your favorite online stores and then automatically applies them to your order during checkout. This gets you instant savings. Honey is available online and even has a toolbar extension so you’re alerted of discounts on any site you visit.

Wish

If you have some extra time and want to save money, check out the Wish app. Perfect for small stocking stuffers and small gift add ons for your friends and loved ones!

Facebook Marketplace

You can find the marketplace on your Facebook app. Around this time of year, there are many people who make custom gifts selling their creations on Facebook. Another great way to shop small and local during the holidays!

2020 has been hard for many local and small businesses across the country and the world. We recommend supporting small businesses during the holidays and beyond. Your local iDropped location is also a small business! Rather than purchasing a new phone when your smartphone needs repair you can support a local business, save money, and fix your device at iDropped! We hope to see you soon and have a great holiday season!

Cell Phone Speaker Not Working? Here’s What to Do

Posted on | by Boost MyRepair

Does this sound familiar? You answer a call on your phone. As you start the conversation, you notice that the sound quality isn’t the best that it can be. Either the other person at the end of the phone line is speaking very low or you can’t hear them at all. It’s frustrating, especially if you use your phone all the time.

If your cell phone speaker is not working, it could be a sign of an underlying problem with your phone. But before you purchase a new phone or head to the cell phone repair shop, here are a few troubleshooting steps you can take to solve the problem.

Check Your Audio Levels

This may seem like a no-brainer but it’s an important step to finding out what’s wrong with your phone speaker. Check the volume on your phone by either moving the volume’s slider or adjusting the volume through the phone’s buttons.

If the volume is set at maximum level and you still can’t hear a sound, there is an issue with the phone speaker and you’ll need to take it to the nearest iDropped location to fix the problem.

Turn Off Bluetooth

Do you like to use a Bluetooth speaker or headset when listening to your phone? There may be a chance that your phone is connected to that device, even if you’re not near the device.

Many people don’t realize that the range of a Bluetooth device is typically 30 feet away, depending on the environment. So even if you’re not in the same room as that speaker, it still may be connected to your device!

Try turning off the Bluetooth connection on the phone and see if the sound returns.

Test Your Sound on a Headset

If adjusting the volume doesn’t work and the sound doesn’t return after turning off your Bluetooth, it’s time to figure out if it’s a speaker issue or if it’s an issue with the phone itself. Grab a set of headphones and try testing the sound again. If the sound plays in your headphones, then there is a problem with your phone’s hardware.

Make Sure “Do Not Disturb” Mode Isn’t On

When you select the Do Not Disturb mode on your phone, all notifications will be silenced, including incoming calls. You may have turned this feature on accidentally or you have it scheduled for a certain period of time during the day. Whatever the case may be, make sure Do Not Disturb is off and you are able to receive notifications.

Reset Your Phone

If you tried everything above and your phone is still not producing sound, you may need to reset the phone to factory settings. Before you do this, make sure you back up your phone so you don’t lose any important data or photos.

Remember, you want to do a full reset and not just a reboot. Rebooting the phone may not clear the problem as it may be an issue with an app or a recent update to the phone’s operating system. Instead, you’re going to want to “Reset All Settings” on an iPhone or “Erase All Data” on an Android.

Take It to iDropped

If you followed all the steps above and your cell phone speaker is not working still, it’s time to call in the professionals!

Our cell phone repair experts can fix phone speaker issues on any mobile device — from the newest model of iPhones to Galaxy series devices to even tablets. So before giving up your phone for good and buying a new phone, why don’t you head over to your nearest iDropped location? We’ll get your phone up and running in no time!

Stop Believing These 5 Common Cell Phone Repair Myths

Posted on | by Boost MyRepair

Many of us go to lengths to avoid fixing our phones. We’ll try anything to either ignore the issue or do it ourselves. But in reality, but ignoring the issue, you’re further damaging your phone.

With so many common cell phone repair myths floating around on the internet, the cell phone repair experts at iDropped have decided to debunk five of the most common we hear daily from our customers.

Myth 1: Rice Will Fix a Water Damaged Phone

You’re out fishing. You hear the familiar beep of a text message from your wife and you fumble for your phone. It slips out of your hands right into the water, plop! Fortunately, you were able to grab it before it sunk into the murky abyss.

So how can you fix the water-logged device? Uncooked rice, of course! As we all have heard at one time or another, sticking your phone into uncooked rice overnight will fix it right up.

Well, no.

While it’s true that the rice may absorb some of the water, it cannot prevent the corrosion of the motherboard. Not only did the water do some damage, but the rice will further damage the phone since its remnants can speed up the corrosion.

Myth 2: A Third Party Fixing the Phone Will Void the Warranty

When purchasing any type of product, you may be told that only the manufacturer or a certified technician should touch your phone. Not only does a certified technician have the stamp of approval from the manufacturer but it could void the warrant if opened by a third-party technician.

And while this may be the case in a major repair, when it comes to a minor issue such as a cracked screen or battery replacement, the warranty will not be voided. In fact, many of these minor fixes are best handled by third-party technicians, who handle these repairs every day, then a certified technician who may not have the same experience.

Myth 3: You Can Fix the Phone On Your Own

Are you a DIY warrior? Do you consider yourself pretty handy? Then you can totally fix the phone without any help!

Not only is this untrue, but you could damage the phone even further.

When it comes to cell phones, there is a special set of tools needed to repair your device. At iDropped, not only do we have the right tools to take apart your phone, but we also have specialized machines that can fix your screen. We’re quick, we’re thorough, and we’ll get your phone working just like it did before it was broken.

Myth 4: A Cracked Screen is Just an Aesthetic Issue

A shattered screen doesn’t mean the phone is broken, right? It just means your cell phone is not as pretty as it once was.

As we’ve mentioned in a previous blog, not only does a cracked screen make your cell phone look awful, but can cause serious problems to the phone down the road. It can prevent you from using even the most basic tasks such as reading an email or sending a text message. And the longer you ignore the issue, the worse it’s going to get.

Myth 5: The Cell Phone Repair Shop Will Look Through Your Phone

We store a lot of personal information on our phones. Contact information, emails, social media accounts, photos — all that hackable information just waiting to get in the wrong hands. So, if you get your cell phone fixed, how can they resist looking through your phone, right?

Besides the fact that iDropped technicians are reputable and honest, we guarantee that your information will remain confidential and safely stored on your phone. If for some reason we need to power on and even look into your phone, approval will be asked. We can guarantee that your phone will remain safe during the time of repair.

When it comes to cell phone repair, you don’t want to mess around. For many of us, our phones are our lives. Instead of following these cell phone repair myths and causing more harm, take your device to the nearest iDropped location. We’ll get it back in working order before you know it!

How to Protect Your Cell Phone

Posted on | by Boost MyRepair

These days, our cell phones are like part of the family. We keep them close and rely heavily on them to get through our days. It’s where we keep our favorite photos and memories, how we connect with others, and how we manage work. That’s why it’s so important that we take the right safety precautions to ensure our device remains intact and in working order. Mistakes are bound to happen though and fortunately iDropped offers Wilkes Barre phone repair to quickly get your phone back to working order! Here are some tips to avoid potential mistakes.

Avoid Water

Sometimes this is easier said than done. In the coming months, as the weather starts to turn for the better, we’ll be outdoors more enjoying pool time and more. Of course, photos will be taken, and communicating with family and friends will happen. But doing that in the water can cause some serious damage to your phone. While some phones are now waterproof, it’s still risky.  For example, most phones are waterproof only up to a certain extent. If the phone falls further than the estimated number of feet or meters, water pressure can cause many issues. Try keeping your phone in a waterproof bag or casing for additional protection. 

Protective Case & Screen Protector Usage

The sleek simple design your phone has is visually appealing by itself. But adding a protective case is essential to keeping your phone safe. There are a lot of stylish cases out there, but it’s important you make sure they will also do their job. A case with raised edges to protect your screen is best. A case with extra shock protection is also useful to protect your phone from damage in case it’s dropped.

Clean Your Cell Phone

Keeping your cell phone clean is very important. Did you know this – your cell phone has more germs than a toilet seat! Unlike washing your hands, you can’t easily clean your phone using soap and water. You shouldn’t clean your phone that way at all. Instead, start by removing your case, and turning your device off. Then unplug your cell phone. After that, wash your hands using soap and water. Get an anti-bacterial wipe or alcohol-based disinfectant cleaner, along with a scratch-free cloth. Gently wipe down your phone, including the screen. Find a cleaner that contains 70% isopropyl to clean your device. Do not use 100% alcohol cleaning products because they can damage your phone’s protective coatings. 

Visit an iDropped Franchise Location for More Help!

As we said earlier, accidents are bound to happen. Even while following cell phone safety precautions, you may still require the assistance of a cell phone repair expert to fix minor problems. Visit, message, or give us a call today!