Angie's List: Should You Repair Or Replace Your Cell Phone?
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – If you're like most people, your cell phone is within reach at all times.
But with all that usage, you phone is more likely to suffer some damage.
Angie's List has some advice for when it pays to consider repairing your cell phone instead of replacing it.
Elias Quintana relies on his cell phone to help with his day-to-day activities, but it's been a little tricky lately with a broken screen.
"With the same week it happened. One day, I dropped it getting out of the car and the next day, I dropped it in my apartment and then the day after that, I dropped it outside somewhere," Quintana said.
"Cell phones today have become a lifeline for most of us. We carry them with us wherever we go, which means they are likely to get dropped in the water, broken and many times, people think they automatically need replaced. But, they can be repaired. It's something you should check out to see whether it's cost-efficient," Hicks said.
Repair typically costs a fraction of what you would pay to replace you smartphone. A new one can run about $500 when not subsidized by a phone carrier.
A common repair, such as a cracked screen, can often be fixed for less than $100.
But, sometimes fixing just isn't cost effective, such as paying to replace your phone's motherboard.
"We're seeing more and more companies that will do cell phone repair, but the key here is finding someone who specializes in the make and model of your type of phone so that they have the right expertise," Hicks said.
"Investing $100, or $50 in a high-quality case is going to be the best thing for you. A lot of people don't want the bulk of it, or they don't like the color of it and that's not the purpose of the case. The case is to protect your investment so you don't have to come see me," cellphone repairman Chris Barclay said.
If you have phone insurance, be sure to read and understand exactly what it covers. In you have a phone case, check the manufacturer's warranty. '
Some offer a lifetime warranty on their cases so if your device breaks while in their product, they will replace the device for you.
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