Cracked iPhone screen--what are my options??

[porsche911girl]

First of all, I'd just like to say Merry Christmas everyone!

Tonight, while taking my iPhone 3GS into my room to charge it, it slipped out of my hand and bounced off the corner of my desk chair. I grimaced as I heard the front glass crack. So now I'm trying to figure out my options.

I got the phone (on AT&T in mid-Dec 2009), so I have fulfilled my 2-year contract with them. Here's my dilemma: I've read online that the Apple stores will replace the screen on iphones, however, it costs $199, which is ridiculous since I could just get a 4S for that price...but here lies my dilemma:

My iPhone is linked to my old Windows laptop; I currently use a Macbook Pro. I can't seem to update the iTunes (from 8 or 9-something) on my old laptop to allow me to update the OS on my iphone, which is still at its original 3.1.2 b/c I was hoping to unlock it for global use (I travel frequently to England as my boyfriend lives there)....and I can't seem to back the iPhone up on my old laptop either (it's near its memory capacity and is just sluggish and slow running WinVista)...

So can anyone help me out here? What would you all do? I don't mind getting a 4S, I'd just like to be able to save/back up my photos, texts, apps, etc from my 3GS before I commit to a new phone...

Thanks so much in advance guys and I hope what I've written isn't too confusing!!

[LeeH]

There's an independent shop here in Phoenix that replaces screens for about $100. Took them about 2 hours to do my wife's Droid, but they do iPhones too.

[Aurel]

You can order a new screen form these guys, and install it yourself:

iPhone LCD Screen Replacements for LCD Repair

BTW, you can update the os from any computer.

[porsche911girl]

Originally Posted by Aurel

You can order a new screen form these guys, and install it yourself:

iPhone LCD Screen Replacements for LCD Repair

BTW, you can update the os from any computer.

Awesome thanks for the link! So I can update the iPhone's OS to iOS4 or 5 from my Mac? I thought it wouldn't work if it wasn't synced with the Mac?? I mean, I thought I'd have to restore the iPhone in order for it to play nicely with the Mac, risking losing all my info??

[Jrboulder]

I replaced the digitizer (glass part) of my 3GS with a $8 online part. The only tool I used was my Swiss army knife. It was really easy. I wish I used a heat gun though.

Jackson

[Aurel]

Originally Posted by porsche911girl

Awesome thanks for the link! So I can update the iPhone's OS to iOS4 or 5 from my Mac? I thought it wouldn't work if it wasn't synced with the Mac?? I mean, I thought I'd have to restore the iPhone in order for it to play nicely with the Mac, risking losing all my info??

If you update the os from a computer that was not synced with the iphone, you will lose all your data. But you may be able to restore it from the computer it was synced with.

[MBAtarga]

Check amazon and/or ebay. My son bought the replacement screen for $6 for his iPhone.

[mikester]

If you have an Applecare warranty it will likely be replaced for free.

[dad911]

I replaced my screen, it wasn't difficult. Bought the new one from amazon for about $10 with tools.

YouTube videos explain how to do it.

My contacts, emails, and calendar sync through my gmail account. Pics you can copy off with the USB cable. I just use iTunes to sync music and ringtones.

[speeder]

Probably too late for AppleCare if the phone is over 2 years old. (Expired). The other options mentioned sound good though.

[porsche911girl]

I doubt if my Applecare warranty is any good anymore, since I have had the phone for just over 2 years now. I read on the Apple discussion forums here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1859926?start=0&tstart=0 that I can back up the iphone to any computer with itunes that I haven't synced it with. Right now it's backing it up...so fingers crossed!!

[red-beard]

One of my lesbians hot-tubbed with her 4 in her bike Jersey. $145 later it works perfectly...this was the same day she broke a rib looking at some flowers while riding.

[Scott R]

Maybe I got the Genius guy on the right day, however the Apple store replaced the cracked screen on ours for free, and it was well out of contract at the time. Can't hurt to ask them; I was just going to drop the phone off for service, and ten mins later I was leaving the store with a new screen installed.

[RedBaron]

I've changed out iPhone screens on a few 3Gs before. Look on ebay for the entire display piece (some just send you one that you have to assemble yourself, PITA.) There is a nice youtube video on the procedure as well. If you have any questions, send me a PM.

[Hugh R]

youtube, check around, some are good, and some aren't. I changed out the battery and the screen on my daughter's old school Ipod for about $15. Really, really small screws. They are the biggest pain. A set of jewelers magnifiers help a lot. The over the head type.

[azasadny]

I can send you a dead iPhone that has a perfect screen and you can do a transplant, if you wish. Let me know and I'll send it to you, no charge!

[MarKoBrow]

Amazon.com: Digitizer and Adhesive Replacement for iPhone 3GS 16GB and 32GB LCD Touch Screen Glass w/ 6 Repair Tools Kit: Electronics

I buy them 2 at a time, they take 10 minutes to change.

[Halm]

I used Missionrepair.Com when I ran over (don't ask! ) my Samsung Tab. Very professional and prompt. And their primary business is iPhones. Just a satisfied customer making a recommendation.

[onewhippedpuppy]

My wife broke her iphone4 back glass panel, a local computer store that does Apple repair fixed it for $30. Then she broke it again and I bought her a stout case.

If it were me I'd upgrade. Your contacts and other info should transfer from iTunes when you sync your new phone.

[A930Rocket]

My daughter dropped her Friday Friday and I'm inclined to buy the LCD + Touch Screen Digitizer Assembly as one piece.

Will this work: http://www.amazon.com/Iphone-Black-Replacement-Part-Digitizer/dp/B0068YOU2G/ref=lh_ni_t

And her phone will get another cover to help prevent it. Any advice on that?