Cracked Smartphone Screen – Repair Or Embrace?

For the average adult, there are few things more frustrating than a cracked smartphone screen – especially on a newer device that is still a while from upgrade.

But with the younger market, a surprising trend is emerging – one that turns those deathly cracked screens into a status symbol.

When your phone is dropped and the screen pays the price, what is the best move… repair, leave as is or go for early upgrade (out of your own pocket)?

Cracked Screens as a Youth Status Symbol

In the US, cracked screens have become the latest way to express uniqueness and character. Even users in their 20s are not as worried about cracks as older users might be. Many even go as far to see cracks as ‘battle scars’ that show street cred.

According to 18 year old Kaitlyn Wilson of Missouri, “It’s an accident when it drops, but nobody wants to pay the money to get it fixed. If you were the only person with a cracked screen, you would probably run out to get it fixed. But everybody else’s is cracked, so why not leave it? Then Sharpie it, and make a design out of it on Pinterest.”

Others have cottoned on to the ‘sharpie’ treatment too, using anything from sharpies to nail polish to customise their cracks. But English professor Mark Bauerlein at Emory University sees the trend a bit differently. He points out that without insurance, cracks are far less ‘cool’, and that it is the upper ranks that are able to partake in this trend without the worry.

“Only if you’re fairly comfortable can you regard the cases of deterioration or damage to your cell phone as a sign of status,” Bauerlein says, adding, “If you’re poor, then it’s just damaged.”

Repair Cracked Screen or Replace Phone?

Parents and the majority of sensible adults meanwhile are able to look past the trend factor to understand the implications of a cracked screen. Among the dangers of leaving the screen as is, consequences include further cracks, potential shattering of glass into hands or face and further damage to the phone as liquid gets into the finer workings of the phone’s components.

And of course, there is also the usability factor too – anyone who has battled to get a touchscreen to work with a huge crack across its screen will know just how much fun that can be.

Repair options range from DIY glass replacement – costly and often very pricey too – to taking the phone in to a professional for repairs, or even replacing the entire phone if you have the budget or are near your upgrade.

Even if you are not quite ready to see cracks as something cool, you may be putting off the repair due to time constraints, laziness or even forgetfulness. Whatever the case, keep in mind that leaving your broken phone is will put you right in there with the cool kids and their trendy painted cracks… or you may just end up with an even more broken phone that your warranty doesn’t cover.