How much does it cost to fix a dropped phone in Australia?

It depends entirely on what broke. Cracked screen only: $109–$619. Cracked back glass: $89–$259. Screen + back glass: $198–$878 combined. If the phone won't turn on after the drop, it could be a disconnected cable ($0–$39 to reseat), dead screen ($109–$619), or logic board damage ($149–$399). A repair shop diagnostic ($0–$39) identifies exactly what needs fixing before you commit.

Is it worth repairing a dropped phone?

Use the 40% rule: if the total repair cost exceeds 40% of what a good refurbished replacement would cost, replacing usually makes more sense. For a 2-year-old flagship with a cracked screen ($249 repair), repair almost always wins. For a 4-year-old mid-range phone with a cracked screen AND dead battery AND broken port ($400+ total), replacing is usually better.

Dropped and broken phone — assess damage and repair cost

Step 1: Assess the damage

Work through this checklist. Each "yes" is a separate repair that needs pricing:

Is the front screen cracked?

Glass only (touch and display work fine): Cosmetic damage. Safe to use with a screen protector. Fix when convenient. Cost: $109–$619 depending on model. See our cracked screen guide.
Glass + display damage (black spots, lines, colour bleeding): Fix soon — damage spreads. Same cost range.
Glass + display + touch dead zones: Fix now — ghost touch is a security risk.

Is the back glass cracked?

Cosmetic only — doesn't affect phone function. But it compromises water resistance and drops resale value by $200–$400. Cost: $89–$259 at independent shops. Apple's back glass pricing ($119–$159) is competitive on iPhone 12+.

Is the phone completely dead?

Try a force restart first (fixes 60–70% of "dead after drop" cases). If it vibrates or makes sounds but the screen is black, see our black screen guide — likely a disconnected display cable ($0–$39 to reseat). If completely unresponsive, it may be a disconnected battery cable (free reseat), dead screen, or logic board damage. A shop diagnostic ($0–$39) will identify which.

Is the camera cracked or foggy?

Camera lens replacement: $49–$149. Camera module replacement (if the sensor is damaged): $99–$399 depending on the model and number of cameras. Flagship phones with multi-camera arrays (iPhone Pro, Samsung Ultra) are the most expensive. If only the protective lens glass is cracked (camera still takes clear photos), the lens cover replacement is the cheaper fix.

Are buttons or the frame bent?

Frame damage from a severe impact can bend the chassis, crack internal connections, or shift component alignment. Mild frame bending can sometimes be straightened by a technician. Severe frame damage may not be economically repairable — the repair cost approaches the phone's replacement value.

Step 2: Add up the costs

Most drops cause one type of damage (usually the screen). But bad drops — off a balcony, out of a car, face-down onto concrete — can cause multiple simultaneous issues. Add up the individual repair costs to get the total:

Example 1 — Corner drop, screen crack only: Galaxy S24 screen replacement: $199–$289. One repair, straightforward, almost always worth doing.

Example 2 — Face-down drop, screen + back glass: iPhone 15 Pro Max screen ($329–$479) + back glass ($139–$229) = $468–$708 total. Expensive but still worth it for a phone that was worth $1,200+ new and $700+ refurbished.

Example 3 — Severe drop, screen + camera + frame: iPhone 14 screen ($269–$389) + camera module ($199–$299) + frame straightening ($50–$100) = $518–$788. At this point, check the repair vs replace calculation.

Step 3: Repair or replace?

Use the 40% rule: if the total repair cost exceeds 40% of what a good refurbished replacement would cost, replacing often makes more sense. Here's the math:

Phone is 0–2 years old: Almost always repair. The phone has significant remaining life, and a single repair (even $400+) is cheaper than a new phone ($1,000–$2,000).

Phone is 2–3 years old: Repair if it's a single issue. Replace if multiple things broke simultaneously (screen + camera + battery = time to upgrade).

Phone is 4+ years old: Repair only for simple, cheap fixes (battery, port). A $300 screen replacement on a 4-year-old phone that's worth $200 refurbished doesn't make financial sense.

For the detailed decision framework, see our repair vs replace guide. For pricing on your specific model, use the repair calculator or browse all 75+ models with pricing.

Before you go to the shop

Back up your data. If the phone still works (even with a cracked screen), back up to iCloud/Google Drive immediately. If the screen is dead but the phone is on, connect to a computer via USB to back up. Once the phone is at a repair shop, things can go wrong — always back up before handing it over.

Know your model. The exact model affects the price significantly. iPhone 15 vs iPhone 15 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Max can be a $200 difference in screen replacement cost. Check Settings → About (if the screen works) or the model number engraved on the SIM tray.

Get a quote before committing. A good shop will diagnose for free or $20–$39 and give you a quote before starting work. Never agree to a repair without knowing the price upfront. If a shop won't quote before starting, find a different shop.

Ask about warranty. Under Australian Consumer Law, every repair comes with automatic consumer guarantees. A screen that develops dead pixels within weeks of replacement is the shop's responsibility. Ask what warranty they offer — 90 days minimum is the standard for reputable shops.

Dropped your phone — how bad is it?