Apple released the iPhone 7 in September 2016, which means it is nearing its 5th birthday. Despite the age, the iPhone 7 remains a capable and popular phone — great for a kid’s first smartphone or for someone who just wants the basics. Part of what makes the iPhone 7 so appealing in 2021 is its low price. Of course, due to the age of the phone, any repair work would be considered out-of-warranty. This is really just to say that if your iPhone 7 is damaged or in need of a battery replacement, you may start to wonder if it is worth getting it repaired, or if you should just replace it.
Thinking about using your damaged iPhone 7 as an excuse to upgrade? Make sure to read our iPhone 7 Buyer’s Guide and iPhone 7 Upgrade Guide to see how the iPhone 7 stacks up against other iPhones.
iPhone 7 general repair & diagnostic costs
Two of the most common repairs for an iPhone 7 are screen replacement and battery replacement. These two types of repair jobs can be completed at a local independent repair shop or by Apple. Each of these options has some benefits, but for many, the deciding factor between Apple and an independent repair shop will come down to speed and price.
Apple is upfront about repair costs, and they publish the in-warranty and out-of-warranty prices for battery replacements and screen replacements. Apple currently has 270 retail locations spread across the United States, which leads to a potential drawback — not everyone has an Apple Store close to where they live or work. This is why we recommend checking the Swappa Repair Network.
The Swappa Repair Network provides details on the average cost of common repairs, such as battery and screen replacements. But perhaps more importantly — the repair network lists 2,400+ locations across the United States. In other words, you stand a much better chance of having an independent repair shop close to where you live or work.
All of the repair shops listed in the Swappa Repair Network provide a 30-day guarantee on all repair work, and in many cases, you will be able to get same-day repair. Many of the shops listed will also provide a free estimate and free diagnostic check just in case you aren’t quite sure what is causing the problem.
iPhone 7 screen replacement cost
Replacing a broken or cracked screen on an iPhone 7 may seem like a quick and easy repair that you can do yourself, but we recommend getting your phone repaired by a professional because they have the proper tools and experience to complete the job without causing any additional damage. The table below shows the current rates for an iPhone 7 screen replacement by Apple and the average price from shops in the Swappa Repair Network.
| Apple Store screen repair (out of warranty) | Swappa Repair Network screen repair (average price) | |
| iPhone 7 | $149 | $82 |
| iPhone 7 Plus | $169 | $88 |
As you can see from the table, getting your screen repaired by a local repair shop is going to be much cheaper. On average, it will be $67 less for an iPhone 7 and $81 less for an iPhone 7 Plus. Spending less money to repair your broken iPhone 7 is great, but you also stand a better chance of getting a same-day repair by using a local independent repair shop.
Another option to consider is replacing your current (damaged) iPhone 7 with another gently used iPhone 7. You can currently find a replacement iPhone 7 in the Swappa marketplace for a little over a hundred dollars, which is not much more than you would spend to replace the display.
iPhone 7 battery replacement cost
Replacing a dead battery is another repair that may seem quick and easy. It may also be tempting to buy a battery and try to complete the repair on your own. But opening your phone without the proper tools (or experience) may ultimately result in additional damage. It is best to let a professional handle this type of repair, and what follows are the current (as of June 2021) rates for Apple to replace the battery, and the average rates for a battery replacement for shops in the Swappa Repair Network.
| Apple Store battery replacement (out of warranty) | Swappa Repair Network battery replacement (average price) | |
| iPhone 7 | $49 | $57 |
| iPhone 7 Plus | $49 | $60 |
When it comes to replacing a battery in your iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus, it is actually a little cheaper with Apple. On average, it is $8 less expensive with Apple for the iPhone 7 and $11 less expensive with Apple for the iPhone 7 Plus. The perk goes to Apple for having the lower rate, but it may still be better to use a repair shop from the Swappa Repair Network. After all, you may not have an Apple Store located near where you live or work. A local repair shop can often also replace a battery the same-day, or even while you wait.
Should I repair or replace my damaged iPhone 7?
The iPhone 7 remains a top-selling phone here on Swappa, but it is also getting a bit older at this point, which means you might want to consider upgrading. But ultimately, this decision will likely come down to the cost of repair versus the cost to replace (to upgrade), and of course, your personal choice.
If you are happy with your iPhone 7 or 7 Plus and cannot imagine using another phone, repairing a broken screen or replacing the battery is a great way to extend its life. On the other hand, the iPhone 7 has a current starting price of $105, and the iPhone 7 Plus has a current starting price of $173 in the Swappa marketplace.
Based on the current value of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, the cost to replace a battery or repair a broken display would be high as compared to the current value of the phone. In other words, this may be a good excuse to upgrade to a newer model. If you like the form factor of the iPhone 7 and want to stick with a home button and Touch ID — the iPhone 8 or second-generation iPhone SE should be considered. Otherwise, you can also look towards the iPhone Xr or iPhone 11, both of which move away from Touch ID in favor of Face ID.
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