Genuine vs aftermarket parts: what's the difference?
Repair quotes vary a lot, and parts are usually why. Here's what genuine, OEM and aftermarket actually mean — so you can compare quotes fairly.
When two repair shops quote very different prices for the same job, the parts are usually the reason. It helps to know what the labels mean before you compare.
The three you’ll hear about
- Genuine (original): the exact part the manufacturer uses, pulled from the same supply. Best match for colour, brightness and features — and usually the most expensive, when it’s available at all.
- OEM-grade / high-copy: made to the original specification by a third party. Good quality screens and batteries in this tier perform very close to genuine for a lower price. This is what most independent shops fit, and what we recommend for most repairs.
- Cheap aftermarket: the bargain end. It’ll look fine in the shop, but you often get dimmer or more washed-out displays, weaker touch, faster-draining batteries, or features that stop working (like True Tone or auto-brightness on iPhones).
Why the cheapest quote can cost more
A screen that’s £20 cheaper but fails in three months isn’t a saving. Low-grade batteries lose capacity quickly. Very cheap screens can also be thicker, which stops cases fitting or leaves the glass proud and easy to re-crack.
What we do
We fit quality parts — genuine where it makes sense, OEM-grade otherwise — and we’ll always tell you which we’re using and why before we start. Our repairs are tested before you collect, and carry a warranty (three months on screens, six on batteries). If you specifically want a genuine part, just ask and we’ll price it.
Not sure what a quote includes? Message us and we’ll explain exactly what we’d fit.