The iPhone 15 Pro Max in these photos was repaired at Phone Repair Tech in Raleigh. The glass was shattered from corner to corner, with impact points on both ends. Below is what the repair involved, what it cost, and what you should expect to pay where you live.
What a broken iPhone 15 Pro Max screen costs
| Where | Price | Screen used |
|---|---|---|
| Independent shop | $120 to $180 | Aftermarket OLED, quality varies |
| Phone Repair Tech, Raleigh | $160, parts and labor | Soft OLED, 120Hz |
| Apple, no AppleCare+ | $379 | Genuine Apple screen |
| Apple, with AppleCare+ | $29 | Genuine Apple screen |
Shop prices move with where you live and which shop you pick. Shops in big cities and high-rent areas sit at the top of the range. A well-known shop with a solid warranty usually charges more than a new one, and often that's worth it.
Apple's prices are its US out-of-warranty prices before tax, as listed in October 2026. Apple inspects the phone first, so a bent frame or liquid damage can raise the price.
The screen used: a soft OLED at 120Hz
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a 6.7-inch OLED screen that refreshes at up to 120Hz, so scrolling looks smooth. That's why the part matters so much here.
Phone Repair Tech used a soft OLED screen that runs at 120Hz. Here's how the common options compare:
- Soft OLED: a flexible OLED panel, the closest look and feel to the original. True blacks, slim borders and smooth 120Hz scrolling.
- Hard OLED: cheaper, but the panel is rigid. Borders can look a little thicker, and it breaks more easily if the phone is dropped again.
- LCD: the cheapest. Grayer blacks, less brightness, and often no 120Hz. On a Pro Max, it's a big step down.
What the repair involves
The glass, touch layer and OLED panel are one part, so a cracked screen means replacing the whole screen. On this phone, the job went like this:
- Heat the screen and carefully separate it from the frame.
- Disconnect the battery first, then the screen cables.
- Clean off the old adhesive and any glass chips.
- Test the new screen before sealing it: touch, brightness, 120Hz and Face ID.
- Fit a new adhesive seal and close the phone.
Is it the glass or the display?
A crack doesn't always stop the phone working, but here's how to tell how urgent it is:
- Picture fine, touch works: cosmetic for now, but cracks spread and glass chips can cut your fingers.
- Lines, black spots or a green tint: the OLED panel is damaged and won't recover.
- Ghost touches: fix it soon, because the phone may start tapping things by itself.
- Screen lifting at one edge: see the warning below.
Things to know before you choose
- AppleCare+: if you have it, $29 for a genuine Apple screen is hard to beat. Check your coverage first.
- "Unknown part" message: after a non-Apple screen, iOS lists the display as an unknown part in Settings. The phone works normally; it's just a notice.
- Warranty: ask how long the shop guarantees the screen, and whether that covers touch and display faults.
- Back up first: a screen repair shouldn't touch your data, but a fresh backup costs nothing.
The bottom line
For most people with an iPhone 15 Pro Max and no AppleCare+, a good soft OLED from a local shop is the best value. Expect to pay $120 to $180; Phone Repair Tech in Raleigh charges $160 with parts and labor. If you want a genuine Apple screen and the full Apple warranty, Apple's $379 price is the way to get it.
