Breaking your smartphone never feels good, but given the right circumstances, breaking your smartphone may serve as a good excuse to upgrade. The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus were released in September 2014, and the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus were released in September 2015. These iPhones are all still capable, but given they are nearing seven years old, it will be important to decide whether you should repair or replace them.
Thinking about using your damaged iPhone as an excuse to upgrade? Make sure to read our iPhone Buyer’s Guide and iPhone Upgrade Guide to see how the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s stack up against other iPhones.
iPhone 6 and 6s general repair & diagnostic costs
The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s both feature an aluminum case, which means they are pretty durable overall. Of course, if you drop your phone there is a good chance the glass display will be damaged. The other common repair issue for an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6s deals with the battery. Batteries degrade over time and with regular usage. And with these models nearing seven years old — they stand a good chance of needing a battery replacement.
You generally have two options with any type of smartphone repair. You can go with Apple or use an independent local repair shop. Both options offer their own unique perks, but for many, the ultimate decision comes down to price and speed. Before we get to the price aspect, we’ll touch on another important factor — availability. Apple has 270 retail locations spread across the United States, and the Swappa Repair Network lists 2,400+ locations across the United States.
Depending on where you live, the closest Apple retail store could be a few hours away, which is why we always recommend checking the Swappa Repair Network first, especially if your phone is out-of-warranty with Apple. You may also need to set an appointment with Apple, whereas, your local independent repair shop may be able to perform a same-day or while-you-wait repair. People depend on their smartphones these days, so the quicker you can get the phone repaired the better.
Apple is upfront about the cost for iPhone screen replacements and iPhone battery replacements, and many independent repair shops provide free estimates. Many repair shops also provide free diagnostics if you have another issue and you aren’t sure what is wrong. And as an added benefit, all of the shops listed in the Swappa Repair Network offer a 30-day guarantee on the work they complete.
iPhone 6 and 6s screen replacement cost
Assuming the location isn’t an issue and you have an Apple retail store and a local repair shop close — the deciding factor may come to price and speed. In that case, we’d recommend reaching out to both Apple and your local repair shop to check whether they require an appointment and to see how quickly you can get the repair completed. The table below outlines the out-of-warranty repair cost from Apple, and also shows the average repair price for the shops listed in the Swappa Repair Network.
Apple Store screen repair (out of warranty) | Swappa Repair Network screen repair (average price) | |
iPhone 6 and 6 Plus | $129 (6) and $149 (6 Plus) | $66 (6) and $73 (6 Plus) |
iPhone 6s and 6s Plus | $149 (6s) and $169 (6s Plus) | $72 (6s) and $79 (6s Plus) |
As you can see from the data in the table, it is much less expensive to have your screen repaired at a local repair shop. On average, an iPhone 6 screen replacement cost will be $63 cheaper with a local repair shop, and an iPhone 6 Plus screen replacement cost will be $76 cheaper with a local repair shop. Similarly, the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus screen replacement costs will be less expensive with a local repair shop. On average, you can save $77 on an iPhone 6s screen repair and $90 on an iPhone 6s Plus screen repair.
Alternatively, you can also get a gently used iPhone 6 or iPhone 6s from the Swappa marketplace for roughly the same price as getting the screen repaired on your current phone.
iPhone 6 and 6s battery replacement cost
Batteries degrade over time, and they also degrade with regular usage, so this is a common repair issue. Replacing a dead battery is also a relatively inexpensive repair, regardless of whether you go to an Apple retail store or use a local repair shop. The table below shows the out-of-warranty battery replacement cost with Apple, and the average price for the shops listed in the Swappa Repair Network.
Apple Store battery replacement (out of warranty) | Swappa Repair Network battery replacement (average price) | |
iPhone 6 and 6 Plus | $49 (6 and 6 Plus) | $55 (6) and $56 (6 Plus) |
iPhone 6s and 6s Plus | $49 (6s and 6s Plus) | $54 (6s) and $56 (6s Plus) |
Unlike the screen repair costs, which are much more expensive with Apple — the battery replacement cost is only a few dollars different when being compared to a local repair shop. To further that point, at $49, Apple is a little less expensive when it comes to replacing a battery. This is where speed and availability factor in. Apple has 270 retail stores, so there may not be one close. And while there is a possibility of saving a few dollars with Apple, we recommend checking with a local repair shop as they can often replace a battery within an hour or so.
Should I repair or replace my damaged iPhone 6 or 6s?
At Swappa, we always like to see phones get fixed so the lifespan can be extended. But depending on the cost to repair, and the age of the phone — it may be beneficial to upgrade to a newer model. In the case of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s, these phones are getting a bit older.
The iPhone 6 is nearing seven years old and the iPhone 6s is nearing six years old. Both models are still capable and still functional, but they are getting older. Apple has stopped updating iOS on the iPhone 6, and while a date hasn’t been set for the iPhone 6s, that time will come soon. Simply put, if you have an iPhone 6 or 6s with a damaged display or degraded battery, you should consider upgrading before spending any money to get it repaired.
We recommend checking out the iPhone 8 if cost is a concern and you want a similar phone. If you want to stick with the same form factor, but can spend a little more, the second-generation iPhone SE is the model to check out. Otherwise, if you’re ready to follow Apple and move beyond the home button and Touch ID, an iPhone Xr or an iPhone 11 would each be great upgrades.
Snag the best deals on used iPhones wherever you go. Download the Swappa App today!