Original vs compatible screens: which should you choose?
The differences between original and compatible replacement screens, from picture quality to Face ID, and how to choose between them.
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When you take a phone with a cracked screen in for repair, the first question is usually: “Original or compatible?” The price difference between the two is not small, so it is worth knowing what you are paying for. In this article we explain the differences between original and compatible screens in plain language.
What do original and compatible mean?
An original screen is a part made by, or for, the phone's manufacturer for that model, with the same specifications as the screen the phone left the factory with.
A compatible screen is a part made by other manufacturers to fit the same model. Compatible screens vary widely in quality: some come quite close to the original, while others are noticeably weaker. So “compatible” is not a quality grade in itself, just the name for a type of part.
Display technology: OLED and LCD
Many phones today have OLED screens (Samsung calls them AMOLED). On an OLED screen each pixel produces its own light, so blacks look truly black, contrast is high and the panel is thin.
Some compatible screens for OLED phones, however, are made with LCD technology. An LCD has a backlight layer behind it that is always on. As a result:
Blacks can look slightly grey and contrast drops.
Colours can look paler or take on a different tone.
The screen may be slightly thicker.
Battery use can go up. The difference is more noticeable if you use dark mode, because OLED saves energy by switching black pixels off.
Compatible OLED screens also exist. They usually come closer to the original, but their quality still varies from one manufacturer to another.
Brightness, colour and touch
An original screen works with brightness and colour settings that match the phone's software. With compatible parts you may notice differences such as these:
Brightness: Maximum brightness may be lower, making the screen harder to read in sunlight.
Colour: Whites may look yellowish or bluish, and colours may be more or less vivid.
Touch: The screen may respond a little more slowly or less precisely. Poor-quality parts can suffer from problems such as the screen registering touches by itself.
Viewing angle: Colours may shift sooner when you look at the screen from the side.
Face ID, True Tone and in-display fingerprint sensors
A screen is not just glass and a display panel; on some phones it is linked to other features too.
Part checks on iPhone: Recent iPhone models check whether the fitted display is a genuine Apple part. According to Apple, if a non-genuine display is fitted, the phone may show an unknown part message, and this may also be listed in the parts and service history under Settings > General > About.
True Tone: After a screen replacement, the iPhone's True Tone feature (which adjusts the screen colour to the ambient light) may stop working. In some cases it comes back after an extra setting or calibration; with some compatible parts it may not come back at all.
Face ID: The Face ID sensors sit at the top of the phone. On some models, a few small parts have to be carefully transferred from the old screen to the new one during the replacement; if this isn't done with care, Face ID may stop working. In other words, the workmanship matters as much as the part.
In-display fingerprint sensors: On phones with the fingerprint reader under the screen (many Android models), you may need to register your fingerprint again or have the sensor calibrated after a screen replacement. With some compatible screens, especially LCD ones, the in-display fingerprint sensor may work more slowly or not at all.
In short, some features may need calibration even with an original part, and may not work at all with a non-original one. It is best to ask about this before the screen is replaced.
Price and making the right choice
An original screen is almost always more expensive, and the gap is especially large on new, high-end models. A compatible screen is easier on the budget. To make the right choice, ask yourself these questions:
How much longer will you use the phone? On a newer phone you plan to keep for a few more years, an original screen usually makes more sense.
Are you thinking of selling it? A non-original part can lower its resale value, and on iPhones a buyer can see the parts history.
What do you use the screen for most? For photos, video and heavy outdoor use, picture quality and brightness matter more.
What is the phone worth today? On an older phone, a good-quality compatible screen can be a sensible choice on cost.
Whichever you choose, find out clearly before the repair which part will be fitted, what differences to expect and what the warranty terms are.
Screen replacement at Işıltı İletişim
For screen replacements we offer Original, Compatible and Standard part options where they are available for your device. Choose your model in our price calculator to see the prices of each option.
Prices in the calculator are for guidance. The exact price is given after the device has been inspected, and no work starts without your approval. Whether a warranty is given, and for how long, depends on the device, the part and its condition; this is stated in the quote you receive.
Most repairs are done the same day. If you are in Kahramanmaraş, our free courier collects your phone from your address and returns it. We never ask for your screen passcode or your iCloud or Google account details. For more details, see our screen replacement page, or go straight to book a repair.