The iPhone 16 came out in 2024, so most of them are around two years old now. That's the sweet spot where the phone is still plenty fast, AppleCare+ might have lapsed, and gravity is still undefeated. Here's what fixing the glass actually costs, and how to pick the right option.
What Apple charges for an iPhone 16
| Repair | Apple price | With AppleCare+ |
|---|---|---|
| Cracked screen | $279 | $29 |
| Screen and back glass | $369 | $29 each (screen and back) |
| Back glass only | $159 | $29 |
| Rear camera | $169 | Not listed separately |
| Battery | $99 | $0 under 80% health |
| Other damage | $619 | $99 |
These are Apple's own out-of-warranty prices for the US, before tax. Apple inspects the phone first, so the final quote can change if it finds more damage (like a bent frame or water inside).
Your three screen options
| Screen | Typical price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Aftermarket LCD | $80 – $140 | Cheapest. Thicker borders, grayish blacks, uses more battery |
| Aftermarket OLED | $150 – $250 | Close to the original look with true blacks. Color and brightness can differ a bit |
| Genuine Apple | $279 at Apple | The same screen the phone shipped with, plus Apple's repair warranty |
The iPhone 16 ships with an OLED screen. An LCD replacement works, but it's a different technology, so it won't look quite the same. Think of it like putting a spare tire on: it gets you home, it's just not the same ride.
How to tell if it's just the glass or the whole display
Cracked glass with a perfectly working picture is still a full screen replacement on an iPhone 16. The glass and the display panel are one part. But it's still worth knowing how bad the damage is:
- Picture looks normal, touch works: cosmetic damage. You can wait a bit, but cracks spread and let in dust and moisture.
- Green or white lines, black blobs, flicker: the OLED panel itself is damaged. That's not going to get better.
- Touch is dead or "ghost touches" happen: fix it soon. Phantom taps can open apps or call people on their own.
- Screen is lifting at the edge: stop and check the battery (see the warning below).
Easy things to try first
If the screen looks fine but acts weird after a drop, try these before paying anyone:
- Force restart: press and release volume up, then volume down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo shows.
- Take off the screen protector. A cracked protector can cause touch problems all by itself. Good news if that's the only thing broken.
- Update iOS in Settings > General > Software Update.
The math: shop vs. Apple
The top of the shop OLED range ($250) is only $29 less than Apple's genuine screen. Say a shop quotes $240 for an aftermarket OLED. Honestly, just pay the extra and go to Apple. You get the real part and Apple's service guarantee.
Where shops win is the lower part of the range. A decent OLED around $150 to $180 saves you about $100. An LCD at $80 to $140 makes sense if you're selling the phone soon or handing it down to a kid who will absolutely drop it again.
What a non-Apple screen changes
- It shows up as an Unknown Part under Settings > General > About. That can lower trade-in value later.
- True Tone needs the shop to transfer it from your old screen. Ask about it.
- With a genuine Apple screen, the phone may ask you to Finish Repair. That runs Apple's Repair Assistant, which installs calibration data. You'll find it in Settings > General > About > Parts & Service History.
What to ask the shop before you pay
- Is this an LCD, an aftermarket OLED, or a genuine Apple screen? Get it in writing.
- How long is the warranty on the part, and does it cover touch problems?
- Will you transfer True Tone?
- Is the price the total, including labor and tax?
- Can I test Face ID, the front camera and touch in every corner before I pay?
Before you drop it off
- Back up to iCloud or your computer.
- Take off your case and protector so the tech sees all the damage.
- If the crack came from a drop, check the back glass too. If both are broken, Apple's combo price ($369) beats doing them one at a time ($279 + $159 = $438).
Is it worth fixing?
Yes. The iPhone 16 is still a current-generation phone with years of iOS updates left. A $279 screen (or $29 with AppleCare+) is a small price compared with buying a new phone. Go genuine if you plan to keep it or trade it in later. Go with a good shop OLED if you want to save about $100 and don't mind the Unknown Part note.
Battery fading too? Read our iPhone 16 battery guide. All iPhone 16 prices are on the iPhone 16 repair page.
Apple prices checked October 14, 2026. Shop prices are typical US ranges.
