You’re staring at it. That spiderweb crack across your screen. It’s annoying, but the phone still works, right? Maybe you’re putting off the inevitable because you’ve heard horror stories about the price. Or maybe you think it’s just $50 and a YouTube video away from being fixed. Honestly, the cost of iPhone X screen replacement is a bit of a moving target in 2026, and the "cheapest" route often ends up being the most expensive mistake you'll make with that device.
The iPhone X was a pioneer. It was the first to ditch the home button and embrace that beautiful, notched OLED panel. But being a pioneer comes with a price tag that hasn't dropped as much as you'd think. While you can find a used iPhone X for a couple hundred bucks, fixing the screen can still eat up a massive chunk of that value.
The Reality of Apple's Pricing
If you want the "official" experience, you go to the Apple Store. You get the Genius Bar, the air conditioning, and a genuine part. But you pay for it.
As of early 2026, Apple generally charges $279 for an out-of-warranty screen replacement on an iPhone X. That’s a lot. If you were smart (or lucky) enough to have AppleCare+, that price drops to a flat $29. But let's be real: most people with an iPhone X today aren't paying for monthly AppleCare+ on a device that’s nearly a decade old.
Why is it so expensive? It’s the OLED. Unlike the older LCDs found on the iPhone 8 or XR, the X uses an Organic Light Emitting Diode panel. These are thinner, brighter, and way more expensive to manufacture. When Apple replaces it, they aren't just giving you a new piece of glass; they are swapping the entire digitized display assembly.
Third-Party Shops: The Middle Ground
This is where most people end up. You walk into a mall kiosk or a local "We Fix It" shop. Here, the cost of iPhone X screen replacement usually hovers between $100 and $160.
But wait. There’s a catch.
Third-party shops often offer two different types of screens:
- Hard OLED / Soft OLED: These are the "good" ones. Soft OLED is closer to the original Apple quality. It’s flexible and handles drops a bit better.
- LCD (In-Cell) Replacements: These are the "budget" ones. They might only cost you $80 total. Don't do it.
Seriously. Putting an LCD on an iPhone X is like putting wooden wheels on a Ferrari. The colors will look washed out. The battery will drain faster because LCDs require a backlight that OLEDs don't. Plus, the screen is physically thicker, which means it might not sit flush with the frame. You’ve been warned.
The DIY Route: Is It Worth the Risk?
You can buy a "Fix Kit" from places like iFixit or various sellers on eBay and Amazon. A decent Soft OLED kit will run you about $50 to $90.
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It sounds like a bargain. Until you open the phone.
The iPhone X is packed tighter than a suitcase on a budget airline. You have to deal with tiny Y000 screws, fragile ribbon cables, and the dreaded Face ID sensor. If you tear the cable connected to the original ear speaker/sensor assembly, Face ID is gone forever. No software update can fix it. Only Apple can re-serialize those parts, and they won't do it if they see you've been poking around inside with a kitchen knife.
Hidden Costs and Quality Control
People talk about the price of the part, but nobody talks about the "Face ID tax." When you replace the screen yourself or at a low-quality shop, you often lose True Tone—that feature that adjusts the screen color to the light around you. To keep it, the repair tech has to use a special programmer to copy the serial number from your old screen to the new one.
Most "cheap" shops skip this. You walk out with a screen that looks "blue-ish" and "harsh," and you can't figure out why.
Then there's the adhesive. The iPhone X is water-resistant, but once you crack that seal to change the screen, that protection is mostly gone. A professional shop will apply a new internal gasket, but even then, I wouldn't go swimming with it.
What You Should Actually Pay (2026 Estimates)
| Service Provider | Estimated Cost | Quality / Parts |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Official | $279 | Genuine OLED / Full Warranty |
| Certified Independent | $140 - $180 | High-Quality Soft OLED / True Tone Transfer |
| Budget Local Shop | $80 - $110 | Likely LCD or Hard OLED / No True Tone |
| DIY Kit (iFixit etc.) | $50 - $95 | Varies / High Risk of Damage |
The "Is It Worth It?" Math
Before you drop $150 on a repair, look at the trade-in value. In 2026, an iPhone X in good condition is a great backup phone or a starter device for a kid, but its market value is dwindling. If the repair costs more than 50% of the phone's total value, you might be better off putting that money toward a newer model like a refurbished iPhone 13 or 14.
However, if you love the size of the X—and it really was a perfect size—and the rest of the phone is mint, a high-quality OLED replacement is a solid investment to get another year or two out of it.
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Actionable Steps for Your Repair
If you've decided to pull the trigger, don't just walk into the first shop you see.
- Ask about the part type: Specifically ask, "Is this a Soft OLED or an LCD?" If they say LCD, walk away.
- Ask about True Tone: Ask if they have a programmer to transfer your display data. If they look at you like you're speaking Greek, find a different shop.
- Check the warranty: A reputable independent shop should give you at least 90 days of warranty against touch issues or "ghost touching."
- Back it up first: Screen repairs are generally safe, but things happen. Do an iCloud backup before you hand over the device.
The cost of iPhone X screen replacement isn't just the dollar amount on the receipt. It's the trade-off between visual quality, Face ID functionality, and the long-term health of your battery. Choose wisely, or you'll be paying for the same repair twice.
Keep your old screen until the new one is fully tested. Sometimes digitizer issues don't show up until a few hours after the repair. Check the touch sensitivity in all four corners and the center. Test the brightness levels in direct sunlight. If everything holds up, you've successfully breathed new life into a classic piece of tech.