iPhone SE repair or replace?

badger09

On Sunday during a long video call the screen on my iPhone SE 2020 (bought Dec 2020) began showing strange pale shadows and light & dark stripes. Sometimes the stripes are vertical, sometimes horizontal; sometimes the screen looks as if it has a gauze over it and sometimes it looks almost normal. Software & security all up to date but there is a comment saying my battery is degraded. Max capacity 88% and I should book a service. I haven’t noticed any drop off in battery power. Phone hasn’t been dropped or been near any water. My previous iPhone lasted more than 5 years so I’m disappointed in this one. 

Local Apple authorised repair quotes:

Screen repair £159
Battery £69
Out of warranty repair £309
I’m not sure which would apply. If it just needs a new battery that’s not too bad but if there is another fault then it’s not worth the cost as I can replace it for not much more. Google searches  didn’t help so I’m hoping someone has experienced & solved the same problem. 

Singlemummy_2

It sounds more than the battery of you’re screen is having issues 

you can buy a refurbished 2020 SE for much less than the out of warranty repair

But can you take it in for a check without any charge? Then at least you know what the problem is 

https://www.backmarket.co.uk/en-gb/l/iphone-se-series/e81cd923-ce7d-4914-a20c-f64e2744a1a9

knightstyle

Yesterday I had the screen on my SE 2020 replaced by a local indi. £30 and included a new screen protector.
I know it won't have been an Apple screen but it works fine and I can't tell the difference.

badger09

Thanks both. 

If I could have it checked for nothing, or a small cost, I would. I’ll try to find out. 

@knightstyle
Was your screen damaged? 

Mine looks perfect, not even a scratch as it’s always had a protector & full padded cover.  Sometimes it’s virtually impossible to see anything because of all the stripes, & haze. Google mentions possible LED connection problems but it’s very confusing. 

Hadn’t thought about a refurb as I’ve always bought new. Less than 2.5 years is no joke though😠

RumRat

The SE was never a good phone. Either invest in a better iPhone or look for a good mid-range Android.
That said, I'd take it to your local mobile market stall and get an estimate to have it working again. 

knightstyle

badger09  Yes the screen had a couple of cracks, still worked well but I decided to have it replaced.
Worth looking at refurbished phones from Giffgaff     https://www.giffgaff.com/mobile-phones/apple/iphone-se-2020/refurbished

badger09

RumRat said:

The SE was never a good phone. Either invest in a better iPhone or look for a good mid-range Android.
That said, I'd take it to your local mobile market stall and get an estimate to have it working again. 

I don’t share your opinion but as I have VERY small hands, the SE and its predecessor (4S IIRC) are the only smart phones I’m comfortable holding. Those ‘better’ phones are simply too big & too heavy for me. 

knightstyle said:

badger09  Yes the screen had a couple of cracks, still worked well but I decided to have it replaced.
Worth looking at refurbished phones from Giffgaff     https://www.giffgaff.com/mobile-phones/apple/iphone-se-2020/refurbished

I’m with giffgaff so I’ll take a look. 

As I said, I don’t mind paying for a new battery if I was sure that’s the only problem. 

zagubov

I got a new battery for my old 2016 SE from a local shop for IIRC £40. Improved it a lot.
I agree with RumRat about going to a shop or market stall for an estimate.
However I'm happy with iphones but not their prices so my new iphone is a 2022 SE and I hope to keep it for at least the six years my old won did.

ididgetwhereiamtoday

If it's more the the cost of a new battery then don't bother. The iPhone 12 or 13 mini are smaller than the SE but have a 5.4 inch screen. Look at amazon renewed. Never buy a brand new iphone as there is no need to spend the extra money. An iPhone 12 mini can be had for under 300 quid, is 5g and rocks the latest software. 

badger09

ididgetwhereiamtoday said:

If it's more the the cost of a new battery then don't bother. The iPhone 12 or 13 mini are smaller than the SE but have a 5.4 inch screen. Look at amazon renewed. Never buy a brand new iphone as there is no need to spend the extra money. An iPhone 12 mini can be had for under 300 quid, is 5g and rocks the latest software. 

Thanks. I was looking at those yesterday. 

I can’t get to a repair place until next week. If it’s just the battery, I’ll go for it. If not, then a refurbed 12 or 13 mini looks the best bet. 

Dandytf

I found a later purchase of iphone12 mini to be SE like and very much improved.