Cracked screen: get it fixed right away or keep using it?
Your screen is cracked — now what? Do you wait a little longer or get it repaired straight away? We explain honestly what the risks are and when waiting is a really bad idea.
Door Jalil Barati
Gepubliceerd: 2026-08-21
You pick up your phone and see it straight away: your screen is cracked. A hairline, a spiderweb pattern or worse — a corner that's completely come out. Your first thought is probably: can I keep going with this for a while? I completely understand. But the answer depends on a few things most people don't know.
Quick summary: a cracked screen is best repaired as soon as possible. Small cracks can quickly grow, the glass cuts into your fingers and moisture or dust gets in easily — turning a simple screen repair into a much more expensive job.
What happens if you ignore a cracked screen?
We see it a few times every week in our workshop in Nijverdal: someone comes in with a screen that cracked weeks ago, but the owner thought "ah, it still works". Meanwhile, one small crack has grown into a whole spiderweb, there's moisture under the glass and the touchscreen no longer responds properly in the corners.
What exactly happens when you leave a cracked screen as it is:
- The crack spreads. Glass is a material that spreads tension. One hairline today can be three cracks tomorrow — especially if you drop the phone again or slip it into your coat pocket.
- Moisture and dust get in. As soon as the screen's seal is compromised, your phone is vulnerable. A splash of water at the kitchen sink can then be enough to cause water damage.
- The display gets damaged. The glass sits right on top of the OLED or LCD panel. Pressure on a crack can cause black spots or dead pixels. Then you're not just replacing the glass, but the whole display — and that's considerably more expensive.
- Your fingers are at risk. Sharp glass edges cut. Sounds dramatic, but our technicians regularly remove glass shards that have worked their way deep into cases.
- The fingerprint scanner or Face ID can fail. On iPhones, the Face ID sensor sits behind the screen. Damage that layer and your phone's security no longer works.
When is it really dangerous to keep using it?
Honest advice, even if it goes against our revenue: a very small hairline at the edge of your screen — without the touchscreen acting up or the display showing spots — isn't directly dangerous in the short term. You can carry on with that for a few days if you're careful with it.
But stop immediately if:
- Glass shards are coming loose or the screen feels like sandpaper.
- You see black spots, coloured stripes or a dark area on the display.
- The touchscreen no longer responds in certain places.
- The screen is cracked and your phone is no longer waterproof — and you take your phone to the toilet, the kitchen or out in the rain every day.
- Children use the phone — glass shards and little hands are not a good combination.
In those cases: don't wait. Book a repair.
What does a screen repair cost — and how much do you save by acting fast?
The question we hear most often is: "What's this going to cost me?" That depends on the brand and model. To give you an idea, here are a few common price ranges we work with in our workshop:
| Phone |
Screen glass only |
Complete screen (display + glass) |
| iPhone 13 / 14 |
Not possible (OLED) |
From €99 |
| iPhone 15 Pro |
Not possible (OLED) |
From €149 |
| Samsung Galaxy S23 |
Not possible (OLED) |
From €109 |
| Samsung Galaxy A54 |
Not possible (OLED) |
From €79 |
Wait too long and the display gets damaged too, and you'll soon pay twice as much. A screen that's cracked but with the display still intact is therefore the cheapest moment to act. Drop by our shop in Nijverdal and our technicians will look at the damage for free and give you an honest quote on the spot — no obligations.
Curious about all our repair options? See the full range on our .
How quickly will my phone be repaired?
Many customers from Hellendoorn, Wierden or Almelo think a screen repair takes days. It's nothing like that. Most screen repairs at our shop are done while you wait — on average between 30 and 60 minutes. You can just go and grab a coffee nearby and come back to a phone that looks brand new.
Got an iPhone? Take a look at our . For Samsung phones, head to our . Our certified technicians work with quality parts and give a warranty on every repair.
Is a new phone sometimes smarter than repairing?
Sometimes it is, honestly. If your phone is already five years old, the battery only lasts an hour and the screen is cracked, the maths is quickly done. You might pay €120 for a screen repair while the phone itself is only worth €80.
In that case we advise you to look at a refurbished phone. At The Phone Shopper we sell refurbished iPhone models and other smartphones that have been thoroughly checked, have at least 85% battery capacity and come with 2 years warranty. That's often a lot smarter than continuing to invest in an outdated phone.
You can also trade in your old phone with us — cracked screen and all. We give you an honest valuation straight away and simply deduct the amount from your new purchase. Paid out within 24 hours if you'd rather have the money.
Want to know exactly what refurbished phones involve? Read our explanation on the refurbished overview page.
How to protect your screen after it's been repaired
A screen repair is the perfect moment to start taking good care of your phone. This is how you avoid standing there with a cracked screen again in a year:
- Screen protector: a tempered glass screen protector absorbs the impact of a fall. Costs a few tens of euros and saves you hundreds.
- Sturdy case: not one of those thin transparent things, but a case with reinforced corners — the corners are the weakest point in a fall.
- Don't put your phone on the edge of tables: sounds obvious, but it's by far the most common cause of a cracked screen we see.
- Back pocket, not front: if you sit down with your phone in your front trouser pocket, the screen bends with it. That's fatal for thin OLED screens.
In our accessories shop you'll find screen protectors and cases for most popular models.
Frequently asked questions
Is a cracked screen dangerous for my health?
Yes, in the long run it is. Sharp glass edges can cause cuts to your fingers or cheek when you're on a call. Small glass shards can also come loose and get into your skin. If the glass feels rough or sharp, we recommend not using the phone without protection anymore and booking a repair as soon as possible.
Can I repair a cracked screen myself with a repair kit?
Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it. Modern smartphones — especially iPhones — use OLED screens that are glued to the frame. Without the right tools and experience, you'll quickly damage the display, the Face ID sensor or other internal components. A DIY repair then ends up more expensive than a professional one. Let us do it — our technicians do this every day.
Will my insurance cover a cracked screen?
That depends on your policy. Many phone insurance policies and also some liability insurance policies cover screen damage. We're happy to draw up an invoice you can submit to your insurer. Just ask when you drop by our shop at Willem Alexanderstraat 11 in Nijverdal.
How long does a screen repair take at The Phone Shopper?
Most screen repairs are done within 30 to 60 minutes. So you don't have to leave your phone with us for a day or longer. Give us a quick call beforehand on +31 548 549 536 so we can have the right part ready — then you can be straight in and straight out.
My screen is cracked but still works fine. Do I really need to repair it?
If the glass is intact enough, there are no sharp edges and the touchscreen responds normally, you can leave it for a short while. But keep a close eye on it: as soon as the display shows spots or stripes, or the crack gets bigger, it's time to act. The longer you wait, the greater the chance the display gets damaged too — and that makes the repair considerably more expensive.
Can I trade in my phone with a cracked screen?
Yes, no problem. A cracked screen lowers the trade-in value, but you don't have to get it repaired first before trading it in. We give you an honest valuation based on the actual condition of the phone. See how it works on our trade-in page.
In short: don't let a cracked screen go for too long. What starts as a small crack can quickly grow into display damage, water damage or a phone that doesn't work at all anymore. Feel free to drop by The Phone Shopper in Nijverdal for a free diagnosis, or call us on +31 548 549 536. We'll help you quickly and honestly.
Get a cracked screen fixed in time. Check the fixed prices: iPhone screen replacement, Samsung screen replacement, or all and options.
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