Holy Cow, I Broke My Phone
- Paulina
- Oct 31, 2015
- 3 min read
OK, I’ll admit it. I have a relationship with my iPhone. It has replaced my alarm clock, my camera, my stereo, my laptop, and oftentimes – my TV. It is basically my gateway to the world. It’s my source of news and amusement. I use it to contact friends and family, check my work email, listen to music, watch videos and check my bank account balance. I use it to order an Uber and to check bus schedules. It wakes me up for work each morning and provides soothing music as I fall asleep each night.
If something were to happen to it… Gasp! It would almost be like losing a limb.
Our phones are not only expensive pieces of property – they have also become an inseparable extension of ourselves.
Last night I watched my boyfriend’s new iPhone fall to the ground and land – screen first – on the concrete. For a second we stared at it, with a glimmer of hope in our hearts. Of course, the screen was all cracked. Phone screens crack if they fall on anything harder than a marshmallow.
What are your options if the same thing happens to you?
Let’s start with the basics – PROTECTION.
I highly recommend using a case and screen protector to safeguard your phone (unless, like me, you’re basically trying to kill it in order to justify getting a new one). The selection of phone cases and screen protectors can make your head boggle – but it also means you will be able to find one that suits your individual style. I know – you’ve just spent all your savings on a new phone. But investing in a good case can save you a lot of stress and money later down the line.
SCREEN PROTECTORS
A screen protector will cost you anywhere from 3 to 200 dollars – the more pricey ones are made of tempered glass and offer excellent protection in case you drop your phone. The cheaper ones protect from cosmetic scrapes and bruises. Before buying one, google protector reviews – it seems that you can get a pretty good one for around 30 bucks on Amazon.
CASES
From Swarovski crystals to leather to wood to shock-absorbent plastic – the selection of phone cases is simply crazy. Here the prices range from 10 to 200+ dollars. Want a solid gold case? It’s only 10K, available here. How about a diamond phone case? You can buy one here for a little over 100K.
Between me and you, I’d get one for about $40. On Amazon. (I love Amazon).
INSURANCE
Despite outfitting your phone with the best screen protector out there, it’s still possible that your phone gets damaged. I mean, what if a cow stomps on it or something? Or your phone falls into the toilet? (I may or may not have experienced this issue). Or it gets stolen? Insurance plans will help save you headache and heartache – they start at around 4 bucks a month (plus deductible).
MANUFACTURER’S EXTENDED INSURANCE
Consider purchasing AppleCare+ or Microsoft Complete at the same time you purchase your device. Prices and coverage vary so read the fine print very carefully.
Fixing a broken phone – OPTIONS
OK, so let’s say your phone is broken and you don’t have phone insurance. Who the heck buys phone insurance, anyway? What are your options?
1. Hire someone to repair it. Probably your cheapest choice. There are plenty of places where you can get your phone fixed. Repair costs depend on phone model and type of damage. Here are a few cost estimates:
Replacing an iPhone 5 screen: approx. $110
Replacing an iPhone 6s Plus screen: approx. $150
Replacing a Samsung Galaxy screen: approx. $70-100
2. Trade-in or sell your broken phone. I know, you paid $700 for a new phone that’s now completely useless without its screen. You WILL NOT get $700 for it if you try to sell it (on eBay, Craigslist or a company that buys used phones). You also WILL NOT get $700 if you decide to trade it in at T-Mobile or AT&T. But, something is better than nothing, right?
3. DIY. Do it yourself. Purchase a phone repair kit, a screen mending kit or a new screen/bumper/back/etc. yourself. On Amazon, obviously. Take out your nifty screwdriver and get to work. I would not recommend a DIY project unless you know what you’re doing. Prices vary but the cost of a part will be cheaper than hiring someone to fix it for you.
You know what you’re doing, right?
4. Ugh. Get a new phone. If the cow that stomped on your phone was, like, really big – you may have to get a new phone. I know, I know – it sucks.
And this time, get the AppleCare.
If this cow stomps on your phone - you're in trouble :-)
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