When your screen cracks, you're usually choosing a replacement under some time pressure — and the terms "LCD" and "OLED" get thrown around without much explanation. Both will get your touch and display working again, but they're genuinely different technologies with different tradeoffs. Here's what actually sets them apart.
How LCD works
LCD (liquid crystal display) screens work by shining a backlight through a layer of liquid crystals and a color filter. The crystals twist to let more or less light through at each pixel, and the filter turns that light into red, green, or blue. The backlight itself is always on behind the whole panel — it's the crystal layer in front of it that's doing the work of making an image.
How OLED works
OLED (organic light-emitting diode) screens skip the backlight entirely. Every individual pixel is its own tiny light source that can be switched on, dimmed, or turned fully off. Because there's no separate backlight layer, OLED panels can also be made thinner and more flexible than LCD.
LCD vs. OLED, side by side
Black levels & contrast
LCD pixels can't fully block the backlight behind them, so blacks tend to look more like dark gray, especially in a dim room.
Each OLED pixel makes its own light, so a pixel can switch off completely for a true, inky black and much higher contrast.
Color & vibrancy
Colors are produced by filtering white backlight, which generally reads as slightly more muted or neutral.
Colors tend to look punchier and more saturated straight out of the box, which is part of why OLED photos and video often look more vivid.
Power usage
The backlight stays on at a fairly constant brightness no matter what's on screen, whether it's a bright page or a black one.
Dark content uses noticeably less power since black pixels are simply switched off — a real battery advantage for dark mode users.
Repair cost
Generally the least expensive display technology to manufacture and replace.
More complex to produce, which is reflected in a higher price for OLED and Original/OEM replacement screens.
If you're after the closest thing to how your phone looked on day one, OLED is the stronger choice. Deeper contrast, richer color, and lower power draw on darker content all add up to a noticeably better everyday experience — and it's the same underlying technology used in most modern Original/OEM displays. LCD still has a place as a reliable, budget-friendly option, but OLED is where the real upgrade is.
How this maps to our screen tiers
This is exactly why we offer three display options instead of just one. Basic uses an aftermarket LCD panel — a solid, budget-friendly choice. Premium steps up to an aftermarket OLED panel, putting it much closer to the look and feel of your original screen. And Original/OEM uses the exact display your device shipped with from the factory, which on most modern phones means genuine OLED.
Basic
Aftermarket LCD
A reliable, budget-friendly replacement that gets your screen working like new again.
$69starting price
- Aftermarket LCD display
- Full touch & display function restored
- Most affordable option
- Great for everyday use
Premium
Aftermarket OLED
Brighter colors and deeper blacks with an aftermarket OLED panel — a solid step up from LCD.
$99starting price
- Aftermarket OLED display
- Improved color & contrast over LCD
- True-to-original touch response
- Best value for quality
Original / OEM
Official OEM display
The same official display your device shipped with, for a like-new look, feel, and color accuracy.
$149starting price
- Genuine OEM display
- Exact factory color & brightness match
- Highest durability & longevity
- Recommended for Pro / Pro Max models
Prices vary by device model — call or send us a message for an exact quote.
Not sure which tier is right for your phone?
Call now or send us a message and we'll help you weigh the options for your specific device and budget.