Is Apple Watch Screen Repair Worth It?

Well, you accidentally broke your Apple Watch screen. Should you replace the screen on your Apple Watch or purchase a new one? Here are all the factors to consider when deciding whether to replace just your screen, or the whole Apple Watch.

Jump To:

• Do You Have AppleCare or AppleCare+?
• How Old Is Your Apple Watch? 
• How Much Do You Want New Apple Watch Features?
• What Is the Environmental Impact?
• FAQ

Is Apple Watch Screen Repair Worth It? Pros & Cons

Your Apple Watch has a pretty strong screen, and the newer the Apple Watch, the more durable it is. But if you've broken your Apple Watch screen, you're bound to be asking yourself, "Is it worth replacing an Apple Watch screen? Should I buy a new Apple Watch? Or just replace my Apple Watch screen?" Here's what to think about before replacing your Apple Watch screen.

Do You Have AppleCare or AppleCare+?

Image courtesy of Apple

If you have AppleCare, AppleCare+, or third-party insurance on your Apple Watch, you may be able to use your coverage to replace your Apple Watch screen.

AppleCare is automatically included with your Apple Watch for a year from date of purchase, and includes one year of hardware repair. But, here's the catch: your broken Apple Watch screen is only covered if "failure has occurred due to a defect in materials and workmanship". In other words, as long as the screen was broken due to how it was made, rather than some kind of accident, or wear and tear, you can get it repaired for free. 

There's better news if you're an AppleCare+ subscriber. This service costs between $2.99 and $4.99 a month, and covers "unlimited incidents of accidental damage protection". If your Apple Watch screen was damaged due to accident or wear and tear, use this estimate tool to see how much you'll be charged. The highest repair estimate with AppleCare+ I found at time of writing was $79. If you decide to use the service, you can take advantage of Apple's Express Replacement service. 

If you don't have any kind of warranty coverage or insurance, you'll need to pay out of pocket for a new Apple Watch screen, which can cost as much as $499 if you have an Ultra 2. For context, the cost of a new Apple Watch Ultra 2 starts at $799, while a Series 10 starts at $399 and an SE starts at $249. If you've compared the repair cost to the price of a new Apple Watch and decided it makes more sense to repair, using an Apple Certified repair shop is your safest bet.

How Old Is Your Apple Watch? 

Image courtesy of Apple Watch

Another thing to consider when deciding if screen replacement for your Apple Watch is the right step is which Apple Watch model you have, and how much longer you'll be able to update watchOS. Apple allows for watchOS upgrades for years; for example, the four-year old Apple Watch 6 can update to watchOS 11. Even if you can't update watchOS any longer, your Apple Watch may last for a few more years.

So, if the only issue you're having with your Apple Watch is a broken screen, and it's running the current watchOS, it could make sense to replace the screen and keep it for a few more years. If you have an older Apple Watch that either can't be updated, or may not be able to update in the next year or so, a new Apple Watch may be the way to go. 

How Much Do You Want New Apple Watch Features?

Apple adds new and upgraded features to each generation of the Apple Watch, but not everyone cares about owning the most up-to-date Apple Watch. In contrast, many Apple enthusiasts get super excited for new Apple Watch features, and update as often as possible. 

If you're one of these Apple Watch enthusiasts, a broken screen could be the excuse to upgrade you've been waiting for!

What Is the Environmental Impact?

Are you worried about the environmental impact that replacing your Apple Watch might have? Apple's first carbon-neutral products were introduced in September of 2023, and the Apple Watch Series 9 and 10 are included in that category. Apple has set the goal of every product carbon neutral by 2030, so within a few years, you can lay this concern to rest entirely. 

Now that you've considered cost, warranties, features, software updates, and environmental impact, you're ready to decide whether to replace your Apple Watch screen or not. To learn more about Apple Watch repair, be sure to check out our free Tip of the Day!

Top image credit: Jloginova / Shutterstock.com