Analysis
When a repair costs
nearly a new iPhone
Most iPhone repairs are a bargain next to a new phone. But Apple's "other damage" fee, charged for things like water damage, a broken Face ID or a bent frame, is a different story. For a base iPhone 14, 15 or 16 it costs 87–89% of a brand-new iPhone 17e.
Updated 9 November 2026 · Our analysis of Apple's US prices, before sales tax
| Model | Other damage | % of new iPhone 17e | Screen + back | % of new iPhone 17e |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 11 | $399 | 57% | $399 | 57% |
| iPhone 11 Pro | $549 | 79% | $549 | 79% |
| iPhone 11 Pro Max | $599 | 86% | $599 | 86% |
| iPhone 12 mini | $399 | 57% | $399 | 57% |
| iPhone 12 | $449 | 64% | $449 | 64% |
| iPhone 12 Pro | $549 | 79% | $549 | 79% |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | $599 | 86% | $599 | 86% |
| iPhone 13 mini | $449 | 64% | $449 | 64% |
| iPhone 13 | $499 | 71% | $499 | 71% |
| iPhone 13 Pro | $609 | 87% | $609 | 87% |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | $659 | 94% | $659 | 94% |
| iPhone 14 | $609 | 87% | $369 | 53% |
| iPhone 14 Plus | $659 | 94% | $419 | 60% |
| iPhone 14 Pro | $709 | 101% | $599 | 86% |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | $759 | 109% | $649 | 93% |
| iPhone 15 | $609 | 87% | $369 | 53% |
| iPhone 15 Plus | $659 | 94% | $419 | 60% |
| iPhone 15 Pro | $729 | 104% | $419 | 60% |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | $779 | 111% | $469 | 67% |
| iPhone 16e | $519 | 74% | $319 | 46% |
| iPhone 16 | $619 | 89% | $369 | 53% |
| iPhone 16 Plus | $669 | 96% | $419 | 60% |
| iPhone 16 Pro | $729 | 104% | $419 | 60% |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | $829 | 119% | $469 | 67% |
| iPhone 17e | $529 | 76% | $319 | 46% |
| iPhone 17 | $679 | 97% | $419 | 60% |
| iPhone Air | $799 | 114% | $419 | 60% |
| iPhone 17 Pro | $849 | 121% | $419 | 60% |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | $899 | 129% | $469 | 67% |
| iPhone 18 Pro | $849 | 121% | $419 | 60% |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | $899 | 129% | $469 | 67% |
Compared with a new 256 GB iPhone 17e at $699, with no trade-in. On the iPhone 11 models, Apple bills a cracked back as other damage, so their two columns match.
What we found
- Batteries are always worth it. At $89 to $129 for regular iPhones, a battery is 13–18% of a new iPhone 17e.
- Cracked glass usually is too, except on older Pros. Screen and back glass together run 46% to 94% of a new iPhone 17e. It's 80% or more on the iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, where Apple's back-glass repair is expensive.
- Other damage is where the math flips. On base models it climbs from $399 on the iPhone 11 to $609–$679 on the iPhone 14 to 17, close to the price of a new phone.
- On Pro models and the iPhone Air it passes it. On eleven models, every Pro from the iPhone 14 Pro on plus the iPhone Air, Apple's other-damage fee ($709 to $899) is more than a brand-new iPhone 17e costs.
- The foldable is in a league of its own. Other damage on the iPhone Duo is $1,499, and its inner display $999, 50% of the phone's own $1,999 price.
Why trade-in makes it trickier
Apple's trade-in values are "up to" figures for phones in good condition. A phone with water or Face ID damage is likely to get much less, so you can't count on the trade-in to make upgrading cheaper. Compare the repair against the full price of the phone you'd buy.
Before you pay for "other damage"
- Check for AppleCare+. With it, other damage is a $99 service fee instead of $399–$899. Look up your serial number at checkcoverage.apple.com.
- Get the diagnosis in writing. Apple sets the final price after inspection, and sometimes the damage turns out to be a smaller repair.
- Price the alternative. If the repair is close to a new phone, a new or refurbished iPhone gives you a fresh battery and warranty too.
Tick "Water / Face ID / other" in the calculator to see your phone's numbers.
Get your exact estimate