Replacing a Nexus 4 screen. Worth it for $275??

Forums › Android › Replacing a Nexus 4 screen. Worth it for $275??

Asmodeus

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#138542 8-Jan-2014 10:50

So I dropped my Nexus 4 on the road and the digitizer smashed up real good like and now doesn't work at all. Have done some reading and it seems that it's not a simple replacement like some phones as the screen itself and the digitizer are quite intricately connected. Read stories of people trying it at home and failing. I've found a few places that will do it in Auckland but I'm looking at $275..... The back of mine is also cracked but doesn't affect functionality in any way, just looks a bit crap. I do really like the phone other than no sd card slot...

I got the thing free 6 months ago when I switched to 2 degrees, so that helps, but I'm just wondering if I should

- Get the screen of ebay for $100 ish and try to fix myself
- Get it repaired for $275
- Get a new one from Play store for $249 US plus Youshop cost (prob cheaper than fixing the front and back of my one)
- Get a newer phone

I guess I could try doing the fix myself but it will still cost $100 and I may !@#$ it up and still have a stuffed phone.

What would you do?

KevinL

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#963137 8-Jan-2014 11:22

Write it off and buy a new device. If you have contents insurance, you could consider making a claim.

robjg63

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#963181 8-Jan-2014 11:59

Probably best to write it off, though there are a few tutorials on youtube on how to replace the digitiser - If you are thinking of having a go yourself have a look there first. Then you can decide if it looks like its worth the effort.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Asmodeus

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#963270 8-Jan-2014 14:02

Anyone know what a Nexus 5 costs from Play store? I can't check at work

benokobi

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#963276 8-Jan-2014 14:08

16 GB = $350
32 GB = $399

langers1972

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#963282 8-Jan-2014 14:15

Or from Oz Playstore $399 16GB and $449 for 32GB and they both work on 4G here

davidcole

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#963302 8-Jan-2014 14:58

$275 seems high...I replaced an iPhone 4 screen for about $100 from a local lower hutt guy. At the time it made sense to me.

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Asmodeus

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#963304 8-Jan-2014 15:00

Just watched some tutorials and it's a major pain in the a$$ and takes quite a while. Have to disassemble the entire phone into many pieces, melt glue, reglue and set with UV, etc, etc. Lots of people have issues after trying it too. The thing isn't really designed to be taken apart, esp by tech repair noobs.

Nexus 5 here I come :)

mad01

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#963315 8-Jan-2014 15:20

I had the same issue.

Bought the digitizer only for $40 (ebay or aliexpress), when I tried to remove the digitizer from the LCD I broke the LCD.

Then I spent another $100 to get the LCD and digitizer (from aliexpress) all together and it's almost fine now - now I sometimes get a colour band in the middle but it doesn't stop it from functioning correctly and does't stay there. I'd say I'm 90% satisfied, and I saved some money (I was quoted $250). But I would recommend you skip the digitiser only step I took and save yourself time and money, unless you know what you're doing (I don't).

For some reason though, my nexus 4 won't upgrade to 4.4 but I don't know if it's any way related to what I did or something else. I tried flashing it myself and got stuck on the boot screen (apparently a very common problem after googling it).

Having said that, while waiting for parts to come I got a Nexus 5 from AU!

Good luck.

Insanekiwi

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#963553 8-Jan-2014 21:18

I would work out - how much you would actually get by selling the phone second hand in good condition. If you think you can repair it to be in sellable condition i.e. $275 + Trademe fee for example + your time = probably will be close to more like $400+.

Personally, I wouldn't bother and possibly sell the phone as it on Trademe for parts someone may be interested. Especially if you have the 16GB version. Then go with your next phone...

After buying Nexus 5 outright - I can see Google's point, I would be scared to go on fixed 24 month term plan again.

Asmodeus

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#963765 9-Jan-2014 11:19

Hmmmm. Yeah I may just sell as is. Have never had much problem selling old or broken phones on TM.

What is involved in buying from the Aus Play Store? I assume you can't just jump on and buy one. Do you need to go through a VPN? Is there a quick guide somewhere? And is that the best place to get a Nexus 5 at the mo?