What Is a Screen? (And Why It’s More Than Just Glass)

It’s Not Just a Piece of Glass

When most people say, “I cracked my screen,” they’re thinking of the outer glass — but that’s only one layer of a much more complex sandwich.

Your phone’s “screen” is actually made up of several parts working together to produce what you see and touch.

Understanding what those parts do can help you understand why screen replacements vary so much in cost — and why some repairs are quick and affordable, while others take more time and care.

The Layers That Make Up a Screen

1. The Glass (Digitiser)

This is the toughened glass layer you touch. It registers your taps, swipes, and gestures.

When you drop your phone, this is usually the part that cracks first.

If only the glass is broken but the display still works fine underneath, you might get away with a glass-only repair — often the most affordable option.

2. The Touch Layer

This is a transparent electrical grid that senses where your fingers are.

It converts taps and swipes into digital input.

If your phone’s not responding to touch or is “ghost-tapping” by itself, this layer has likely been damaged — and replacing just the glass won’t fix it.

3. The Display (LCD or OLED)

This is where the magic happens — the actual image layer.

It lights up, displays colours, and shows everything from your wallpaper to your battery level.

There are two main types:

• LCD (found in many mid-range and older phones): uses a backlight and is generally cheaper to replace.

• OLED / AMOLED (used in premium models like iPhones and Samsungs): produces brighter colours and deeper blacks, but is more fragile and expensive to replace.

4. The Frame (Housing)

The frame supports all those layers, keeping everything tight and flush.

If it’s bent or warped from a drop, even the best new screen won’t sit correctly — which is why we always inspect and realign it during every repair.

Why Screen Replacements Cost What They Do

When you see prices ranging from $90 to $400, it’s usually because of which layer is damaged and how the screen is built.

Newer phones use laminated displays, meaning the glass, touch, and display layers are fused together — great for clarity, less great for repair costs.

Older models often have separate layers, making glass-only repairs possible and cheaper.

What We Replace (and Why)

At Phone Repair NZ, we replace the full screen assembly when necessary — not just the glass — to make sure your touch, colour, and brightness all function as intended.

We also offer glass-only replacements for certain iPad and iPhone models when it’s safe and cost-effective.

Either way, you’ll get a six-month warranty, clear pricing, and no surprise “hidden” parts fees.

So, What Is a Screen?

It’s not just glass. It’s a blend of delicate technology and design that lets you see, touch, and interact with your digital world — every single day.

And when something goes wrong, it takes skill (and a steady hand) to put that puzzle back together again.