Buying Original, OEM and Compatible Apple Parts: What's the Difference?
Original, OEM or compatible — which Apple part should you choose? We break down the differences in quality, price and warranty, so you never pay more than you need to.
Door The Phone Shopper
Gepubliceerd: 2026-08-05
Your iPhone screen is cracked, the battery is dying or the charging port has stopped working. That's when the search begins: what part do you actually need? When looking to buy Apple parts, you'll quickly come across three categories: original Apple parts, OEM parts and compatible (or aftermarket) parts. The price difference can be enormous — but so can the difference in quality. Here's an honest breakdown.
Quick summary: Original Apple parts offer the best quality but come at the highest price. OEM parts are made by the same manufacturers and represent an excellent middle ground. Compatible parts are the cheapest, but quality varies enormously. At The Phone Shopper, we always work with original or high-quality OEM parts — never with unknown imitations.
What exactly are original, OEM and compatible Apple parts?
Before you buy Apple parts, it helps to know what these terms actually mean. They're used interchangeably online, but they are absolutely not the same thing.
Original Apple parts
These are parts produced by Apple itself or supplied through the official Apple service programme. They are identical to the components already in your device. Apple supplies these through its own Genius Bars and so-called Authorised Service Providers. The price reflects that: an original iPhone screen will easily set you back €200 or more, depending on the model.
OEM parts (Original Equipment Manufacturer)
OEM sounds complicated, but the concept is straightforward: the manufacturer that produces the original component for Apple — think Samsung Display or LG for screens — also sells those same parts outside the Apple channel. Technically speaking, these are the same components, just without the Apple packaging and the Apple price tag. In the repair industry, OEM is considered the gold standard: original quality at a fairer price.
Compatible (aftermarket) parts
These are third-party parts that replicate the original. Quality varies enormously. A good A-grade aftermarket screen can work perfectly well; a cheap version from an unknown source may develop lines, colour distortion or interfere with the fingerprint scanner within a few weeks. This is the category where you take the most risk if you don't know what you're buying.
What does the price difference actually look like?
We see this every day in our workshop: customers surprised by just how much the difference can be. Below is an indicative overview of screen repair costs by part type for an iPhone 14.
| Part type | Quality | Indicative price (iPhone 14 screen) | Warranty |
|---|
| Original Apple | Excellent | €280 – €320 | Apple warranty (via AASP) |
| OEM | Excellent | €130 – €180 | Workshop repair warranty |
| Compatible (A-grade) | Good | €80 – €120 | Varies |
| Compatible (unknown) | Uncertain | €20 – €60 | Barely any |
Please note: these are indicative figures. The exact price for your model and repair will differ. Check our for current rates, or give us a call on 0548-549536.
Why cheap can end up costing you more
Last week, a customer from Almelo brought in his iPhone 13. A month earlier, he'd had the screen replaced somewhere for €45. Seemed like a great deal — until the screen started responding poorly to touch, the colours looked yellowish and Face ID stopped working. He ended up paying twice: once for the poor-quality part, and once at our workshop for a proper OEM replacement.
This is far from an exception. In Apple devices, components are tightly integrated with the software. A substandard screen can trigger warnings about non-original parts, and an inferior battery can halve your battery life or even damage the phone through incorrect voltage delivery. These are risks you don't want to take with a device worth €600 or more.
Want to know what a repair on your would cost us? We always provide a clear quote upfront — no surprises afterwards.
Which type of part should you choose, and when?
Honest advice, even when it doesn't always work in our favour: for some repairs, the type of part matters less than for others. Here's a practical overview:
- Screen repair: Always go for OEM or original. The screen is the most-used component of your phone. You'll notice an inferior screen with every single touch.
- Battery replacement: OEM is the best choice here. Original Apple batteries are expensive, and a quality OEM battery offers the same capacity and safety. Read more about .
- Charging port: A quality A-grade compatible part can work perfectly well here, provided it comes from a reliable supplier.
- Camera: OEM is the preferred choice. Camera modules directly affect the image quality you use every day.
- Smaller components (vibration motor, speakers): Good-quality compatible parts often work just fine here.
How do you recognise a reliable repair shop in Twente?
When you have Apple parts sourced and fitted by a repair shop, you want to know exactly what you're getting. Feel free to ask these questions before agreeing to anything:
- What type of parts do you use? — A good workshop will be completely transparent about this.
- How long is the warranty? — Less than 3 months on a screen is a red flag.
- Are your technicians certified? — Certification means knowledge of Apple's specific hardware integrations.
- Will I get a written quote? — No handshake deals; everything in black and white.
- What happens if the repair doesn't work out? — Will you still be charged?
At The Phone Shopper in Nijverdal, our certified technicians work exclusively with original or OEM parts. That's what allows us to offer a confident warranty on every repair. Many repairs — such as a screen replacement or battery swap — are completed while you wait.
Buying a refurbished iPhone: what parts are inside?
If you're considering buying Apple parts for a refurbished device, or simply looking for a quality refurbished iPhone, this is relevant too. A refurbished iPhone is not a throwaway product. In our workshop, we inspect every device on more than 50 points. Any part that doesn't meet our standards — such as a battery with less than 85% capacity — is replaced before sale. Always with quality OEM or original components.
That's exactly why our refurbished iPhones come with a 2-year warranty. You know what you're getting. And if you'd prefer a Samsung, we also carry a wide range of refurbished Samsung Galaxy devices.
Got an old device you'd like to trade in? Through our trade-in programme, you'll receive payment within 24 hours — fair and transparent.
Buying Apple parts: DIY or leave it to the professionals?
Some people consider buying Apple parts and carrying out the repair at home. YouTube is full of tutorials. But to be honest: with Apple devices, this is risky. Apple uses pentalobe screws, delicate cable connections and components that are software-paired to the motherboard. A screen you've replaced yourself may work technically, yet still display a warning that it's "non-original" — disabling features like True Tone in the process.
Unless you have hands-on experience with electronics repair, professional help really is the smarter choice — especially if your device is relatively new or valuable.
Frequently asked questions
What does OEM mean when it comes to Apple parts?
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. These are parts made by the same manufacturer that produces the original components for Apple, but sold outside the official Apple channel. They have the same technical specifications as original parts, but cost less because Apple's margin and packaging are not included. In the repair industry, OEM parts are considered reliable and high quality.
Is it safe to buy compatible Apple parts?
It depends heavily on the supplier and the type of part. Compatible parts from well-known A-grade brands or reputable suppliers can work perfectly well for less critical components. For screens and batteries, we always recommend OEM or original, as quality differences are greatest here and the consequences of poor quality are most noticeable.
Will my warranty be voided if I use non-original parts?
If your device is still covered by Apple's warranty or AppleCare+, using non-original parts can affect the warranty on that specific component. Apple has become stricter about this. Have your device repaired by a certified workshop that is transparent about the parts it uses — that way, you know exactly where you stand.
How long does a repair with OEM parts take at The Phone Shopper?
Most common repairs — such as a screen replacement or battery swap on an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy — are carried out while you wait. On average, you'll be done in 30 to 60 minutes. More complex damage, such as water ingress or motherboard issues, may take longer. We always give you an estimate upfront.
Can I also buy Apple parts for an iPad or MacBook?
Yes. Our workshop repairs not only iPhones, but also iPads and MacBooks. For these devices too, we use only original or OEM parts — whether it's a screen replacement, battery swap or keyboard repair on a MacBook.
What if I'd rather trade in my device for a new refurbished model?
Sometimes repair isn't the smartest move — for example, if your device is old and multiple parts need replacing. In that case, it may be worth trading in your current device via our trade-in form and opting for a refurbished model with a 2-year warranty. We're happy to help you weigh up your options honestly, without any sales pressure.
Want to find out which part your device needs, or would you like a second opinion? Come and visit us in store at Willem Alexanderstraat 11 in Nijverdal, call us on 0548-549536, or browse our full range on the refurbished overview page. We're here to help — no technical jargon, no surprises.
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