Repair your phone yourself or have it done? Here's what you need to know
Repairing your phone yourself: good idea or costly gamble? We explain honestly when it works, when you'd better get help, and what the difference in cost is.
Door The Phone Shopper
Gepubliceerd: 2026-08-27
Your screen has a crack, your battery gives up after a few hours, or your charging port is acting up. It makes sense to google whether you can fix it yourself – a YouTube video and a set of screwdrivers sometimes look like all you need. But when is repairing your phone yourself really a good idea, and when are you just throwing money and time at it?
Quick summary: repairing your phone yourself can pay off for simple jobs like fitting a case or swapping a SIM card, but for screen repairs, battery replacements and water damage the rule is: one wrong move and your device is a write-off. Having it done is in most cases safer, faster and cheaper than you think.
What does "repairing your phone yourself" actually mean?
There's a big difference between putting on a case and replacing a screen. The term "DIY repair" covers everything from a simple SIM swap to fully opening up an iPhone with a heat gun and special suction cups. Those two things can hardly be compared.
In our workshop in Nijverdal we see devices come in every week that were "opened" at home – sometimes with a paring knife, sometimes with a flathead screwdriver – and where the damage then tripled. That's not a reproach; the intention is good. But modern smartphones are designed to be as compact as possible, which also makes them particularly vulnerable to hobbyist tinkering.
When is repairing your phone yourself actually a good idea?
Honest advice, even when it's not in our favour: there are situations where you can perfectly well fix something yourself. No reason to visit a shop for that.
- Replacing or inserting a SIM card – Just a paperclip and two seconds of work.
- Swapping a memory card – On devices with a micro SD slot, like many Samsung Galaxy models.
- Fitting a screen protector or case – Just check you don't get air bubbles under the glass.
- Changing software settings – Restoring factory settings, installing updates, removing apps.
- Replacing the charger or cable – If your phone no longer charges, the cable is often the culprit.
These kinds of tasks require no technical knowledge and you can't break anything. Perfectly fine to do yourself.
When is repairing your phone yourself a bad idea?
Now for the honest part. For the following repairs we really advise against trying it yourself – unless you already have experience with electronics repairs and the right tools at home.
Screen repair
Replacing a cracked screen might look simple: old screen off, new screen on. The reality is different. You're working with flex cables that tear if you touch them slightly too firmly, with adhesive you need a hot-air gun to remove, and with connectors that are microscopically small. One clumsy move and the fingerprint scanner, the camera or the earpiece speaker is broken too. We see this come in a few times every week.
Battery replacement
The battery in a modern smartphone – especially in iPhones – is glued in with strong adhesive strips. You have to pull those out carefully without puncturing the battery. A punctured lithium battery catches fire. Not a hypothetical risk; this really happens. On top of that, not all replacement batteries you find online are of good quality. A cheap battery from an unknown brand can halve your battery life or damage your device.
Water damage
If your phone has got wet, the temptation to open it up and dry it yourself is strong. Stop. Water damage requires cleaning with isopropyl alcohol, a drying cabinet and tools that stop the corrosion before it spreads. Rice doesn't work – that's a persistent myth. The longer you wait, the greater the damage.
Replacing the charging port
On most devices the charging port is soldered to the motherboard or connected via a fine flex cable deep inside the device. This is precision work that requires microscopic soldering. Without experience and the right equipment, the chance of extra damage is greater than the chance of success.
What are the risks of DIY repair?
Concretely, in a list, so you can make a well-considered choice:
- Extra damage – You damage a component that was still working, such as the camera or the fingerprint scanner.
- Loss of warranty – Still have manufacturer's warranty? It's void as soon as you open the device.
- Poor parts – Screens or batteries ordered online aren't always the quality that was promised.
- Water resistance gone – An iPhone with an IP rating loses its water resistance as soon as the seal is broken and not professionally reapplied.
- Lost time – A repair that takes us 30 minutes can take hours at home – and still fail.
- Higher final cost – If it goes wrong at home, you still pay for the professional repair afterwards, plus the additional damage.
What does professional phone repair cost?
Many people are put off by the thought that "having it done is expensive". In practice it's really not that bad, especially when you weigh it against the risks of trying yourself. Below is an indicative overview of common repairs at The Phone Shopper:
| Repair |
Average price |
Average time |
| iPhone screen repair |
From €59.00 |
30–60 minutes |
| Samsung Galaxy screen repair |
From €49.00 |
30–60 minutes |
| iPhone battery replacement |
From €39.00 |
30 minutes |
| Samsung Galaxy battery replacement |
From €35.00 |
30 minutes |
| Charging port repair |
From €45.00 |
45–90 minutes |
| Water damage treatment |
On request |
Depends on severity |
Many repairs are done while you wait. You walk in, have a cup of coffee and walk out with a working device. Check out all our for a full overview, or go straight to and for brand-specific information.
Is your device still worth repairing?
This is a question we regularly go through together with a customer in our workshop. An honest answer requires looking at two things: the repair cost versus the value of the device.
Rule of thumb: if the repair costs more than 50% of your device's market value, it makes more sense to look at a refurbished replacement. At The Phone Shopper you can trade in your old device directly – we give you a fair valuation and pay out within 24 hours. You can then put that amount towards a refurbished iPhones or a refurbished Samsung Galaxy, each with a 2-year warranty and a battery with at least 85% capacity.
Does that sound more attractive than a repair? Sometimes it's simply the smartest choice – and we'll say so even if it means you don't get a repair from us.
How does a repair at The Phone Shopper work?
For anyone who has never had a phone repaired: it's easier than you think. This is how it works at our shop in Nijverdal:
- Walk in or get in touch – Call us on +31 548 549 536 or drop by at Willem Alexanderstraat 11 in Nijverdal.
- Free diagnosis – Our certified technicians check what's wrong and give you an honest quote.
- Give the go-ahead – No hidden costs. You decide whether to proceed.
- Repair carried out – Often done while you wait, sometimes the same day.
- Collect your device – You walk out with a working device and a warranty on the repair carried out.
We serve customers from all over Twente: from Hellendoorn and Wierden to Almelo, Rijssen, Hengelo and Enschede. The trip to Nijverdal is worth it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace my iPhone battery myself?
Technically yes, but it's risky. iPhones are designed with strong adhesive strips that hold the battery in place. If you remove them incorrectly, you damage the battery – and a punctured lithium battery is a fire hazard. You also lose your device's water resistance if the seal isn't professionally reapplied. Having it done with us costs from €39.00 and is finished in 30 minutes.
Is a cheap screen from the internet just as good as an original screen?
Almost never. Cheap replacement screens often have lower colour accuracy, less sensitive touch and a shorter lifespan. On certain iPhone models, True Tone or brightness control stops working after a non-original screen is fitted. In our workshop we use quality parts that are as close to original as possible.
What should I do if my phone has fallen in water?
Switch it off immediately. Don't try to charge it or turn it on. Gently dry the outside with a cloth and take it to a repair shop as soon as possible. The sooner the corrosion is stopped, the better the chance your device can be saved. Rice doesn't work – that's a persistent piece of folk wisdom with no scientific basis.
Do I lose my warranty if I have my phone repaired at an external shop?
Apple's or Samsung's manufacturer warranty is void as soon as an unauthorised party opens the device. That also applies to DIY repair. The Phone Shopper provides a warranty on the repair itself. Still have manufacturer's warranty? Then it's smart to first check with the manufacturer whether the repair is covered.
Is it worth having an old device repaired?
That depends on the age of the device, the repair cost and what you want to do with it. If the repair costs more than half the second-hand value, it often pays to switch to a refurbished device. At The Phone Shopper we're happy to help you weigh that up – with no sales pressure.
What's the difference between DIY repair and having your phone repaired by a certified technician?
A certified technician has the right tools, knowledge of model-specific quirks and access to quality parts. An experienced technician also knows what the risks are with a specific device and how to avoid them. DIY repair without that knowledge significantly increases the chance of additional damage – and often makes the final repair bill higher.
Not sure whether your repair is worth it, or just want honest advice with no obligation? Drop by our shop in Nijverdal, call us on +31 548 549 536 or browse our full range of and refurbished devices online. We're happy to help – even if that means the answer is "just do it yourself".
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Willem Alexanderstraat 11
7442 MA Nijverdal, Overijssel
Tel: +31 548 549 536
E-mail: info@thephoneshopper.nl
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