The 16 Pro Max has a huge screen: 6.9 inches of OLED with ProMotion up to 120Hz and an always-on mode. It's also the most expensive iPhone screen to replace at Apple. So before you hand over $379, it helps to know what the cheaper screens actually are, and what you lose with each.
What Apple charges
| Repair | Apple price | With AppleCare+ |
|---|---|---|
| Cracked screen | $379 | $29 |
| Screen and back glass | $469 | $58 (two $29 claims) |
| Back glass only | $159 | $29 |
| Other damage (bent, crushed, liquid) | $829 | $99 |
Apple's quote is an estimate. They inspect the phone first, and if they find a bent frame or liquid damage, the screen price can turn into the $829 "other damage" price. Mail-in repairs may add a shipping fee, and tax is extra.
Your three screen options
| Screen type | Typical price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Aftermarket LCD | $80 to $140 | Cheapest. Grayish blacks, often dimmer, can drain the battery faster. Usually no 120Hz |
| Aftermarket OLED | $150 to $250 | Much closer to the original look. Some keep 120Hz, many don't |
| Genuine Apple | $379 at Apple | Original brightness, color and 120Hz. Shows as a Genuine Apple Part |
Here's the thing most shops won't say out loud: a cheap screen on a phone this nice is like putting retread tires on a sports car. It'll roll, but you'll notice. The original panel hits 1,000 nits typical, 1,600 nits for HDR and up to 2,000 nits outdoors, per Apple's spec sheet. A budget LCD won't come close in direct sun.
The 120Hz question
ProMotion is a big part of why the Pro Max feels smooth when you scroll. Parts suppliers are open about the fact that many aftermarket OLEDs, even the better "soft" OLED type, don't support 120Hz. Some do. So the label "OLED" by itself tells you nothing about refresh rate.
How to tell if it's just the glass
Not every crack means the display is dead. Check these before you get a quote:
- Touch works and the picture looks normal: it's probably just the top glass. You still need a full screen replacement (the glass and display are one part), but there's less risk of hidden damage.
- Green or purple lines, black blobs or a flickering screen: the OLED panel underneath is damaged. This won't get better, and it often spreads.
- Screen is fine but the phone won't charge wirelessly or the back is cracked too: that's a back glass problem, priced separately at $159.
- Face ID stopped working after the drop: tell the shop before they start. That's a sensor issue near the top of the screen, not the glass.
Things to know about non-genuine screens
- Parts and Service History: On iPhone 12 and later, a non-genuine display shows as an Unknown Part in Settings > General > About. That can lower trade-in value.
- True Tone: the shop needs to transfer it from your old screen. Some setups lose it.
- Water resistance: the phone is rated IP68 from the factory. Any screen repair replaces the seal, so treat it as less water-safe afterward, no matter who fixes it.
What to ask a shop before you pay
- What type of screen is it: LCD, hard OLED or soft OLED?
- Does it keep 120Hz and the always-on display?
- Do you move True Tone over from my old screen?
- How long is the warranty, and does it cover touch problems or dead pixels?
- Will you test Face ID and the front camera with me before I leave?
Apple or a shop?
Go to Apple ($379) if you have AppleCare+ ($29 makes this an easy call), you plan to trade the phone in, or you care about the display looking exactly right. On a phone that still sells for good money used, a genuine screen protects that value.
Go to a shop OLED ($150 to $250) if you're keeping the phone for years and want to save over $100. Just pay for a good soft OLED with 120Hz, not the cheapest panel in the drawer.
Skip the LCD unless the phone is a hand-me-down or a backup. Saving another $70 isn't worth a dim, laggy screen on a Pro Max.
Is it worth fixing?
Almost always, yes. The 16 Pro Max is a recent flagship and $379 is a fraction of what a replacement costs. If the back is cracked too, book both at once ($469 at Apple). Prices for every repair are on the iPhone 16 Pro Max page, and if your battery is also fading, read our iPhone 16 Pro Max battery guide.
Apple prices checked October 14, 2026. Shop prices are typical US ranges.
