Android Flagships Outshine iPhones in Repair Costs
When it comes to repairing high-end smartphones, Android devices tend to be more cost-effective than iPhones. This is evident in the repair costs of three current flagships from Apple and Samsung: the iPhone 18 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, as well as Google's Pixel 11 Pro XL.
The study found that screen damage is a significant outlier when it comes to repair costs for iPhones. The price of repairing a cracked screen on an iPhone 18 Pro Max is $379, excluding taxes and labor, which amounts to 29% of the device's MSRP of $1,299.
On the other hand, Samsung offers a lower repair cost for the same issue, at $289. The estimated repair cost for a cracked screen on a Pixel 11 Pro XL is even lower, at $218, making it the cheapest option among the three devices.
The study also compared battery replacement costs and found that Google's offering is significantly cheaper, at $88, while Samsung's price is not officially available but estimated to be between $99 and $129. The cost of replacing the back glass on both iPhones and Androids is relatively similar, with Apple charging $159 and Google charging $149.