Why You Should Not Use a Phone with a Cracked Screen
It always starts the same way. Maybe your phone slipped out of your pocket while you were getting out of the car, or it took a tumble from the edge of the bed. You pick it up, hoping it is fine, and there it is — a crack. Some people feel lucky when they see a small crack or just a spiderweb in one corner and continue to use it, thinking it will work. However, is it really fine?
The truth is that using your phone with a cracked screen is a bad idea, no matter how harmless it looks at first. Unfortunately, most of us have kept using a cracked phone, telling ourselves we will fix it later. However, that ‘later’ never arrived.
We understand that taking time out of your busy schedule and visiting a repair shop can feel very inconvenient. However, what now seems like a minor inconvenience can turn into a much bigger problem later, especially financially.
INDEX
8 Reasons You Should Not Use a Phone with a Cracked Screen
1. Cracks Get Worse Over Time
2. It Can Cause Physical Harm
3. Touchscreen May Stop Responding Properly
4. Water or Moisture Can Get In
5. It Can Affect Face ID, Fingerprint Sensors, and Cameras
6. It Hurts Your Phone's Resale Value
7. It Can Lead to Unexpected Internal Damage
8. User Experience Gets Worse
What to do if your Phone’s Screen is Cracked?
Frequently Asked Questions About Phones with Cracked Screens
1. How much does it cost to replace the screen on a phone?
2. Can I still sell my phone with a cracked screen?
3. Can a cracked screen cause ghost touch?
8 Reasons You Should Not Use a Phone with a Cracked Screen
1. Cracks Get Worse Over Time
Let’s say you were lucky enough to get away with just a small crack on the phone’s screen after a fall. It does not mean you can ignore the damage completely. Even if you try to be gentle when using the phone, there is a high chance that the screen crack will continue to get worse over time as its structural integrity is compromised.
The more you use your phone, put it in your pocket, or even expose it to changes in temperature, the more the crack expands. What was a hairline crack once might become a shattered mess in two weeks. And once it spreads, fixing the cracked phone screen costs more.
So, you should never delay a repair. If the phone is old and you do not want to repair it, you can always sell the used phone online before the price depreciates further.
2. It Can Cause Physical Harm
When the phone screen is cracked, people mostly worry about how ugly it looks. While it is certainly a big concern, most people do not take into account that it can be potentially dangerous as well. Glass shards from even a small crack can be sharp. Moreover, small cracks spread and cause more shards to come off. If you do not notice them while typing or talking over the phone, they can put you at risk of:
Cuts and splinters: You might not realise it at first, but tiny slivers of glass can dig into your fingers or thumbs and cause a stinging sensation. In some cases, you might even bleed.
Eye strain: Depending on the size of the crack, reading anything on the screen can get very difficult. If you have the habit of looking at the phone screen for long hours, it can strain your eyes. You can even get a headache.
Hidden dirt and bacteria: When dirt gets into the cracks, taking it out becomes impossible. Over time, dust keeps accumulating in these cracks and makes your phone appear dirty. They can also become a breeding ground for bacteria because you will not be able to clean them.
So yes, a cracked screen is more than an eyesore. It is actually a small health hazard in your pocket.
3. Touchscreen May Stop Responding Properly
The touchscreen of your phone is not just made of glass — there are many layers, including a digitizer underneath that senses your touch. If the digitizer gets damaged, the touch screen may not respond properly.
Initially, you may notice lag or random inputs at times. It can make using your phone very difficult, especially when you are typing. Even picking up calls or unlocking your phone can become challenging. However, if you continue to ignore the damage, the touch screen may not respond at all after some time.
So, you should either repair or sell your damaged phone as soon as the phone screen gets cracked.
4. Water or Moisture Can Get In
Water damage is one of the worst things that can happen to your phone. A cracked screen increases the chances of water damage to your phone.
Even if it does not fall in water or get drenched in rain, it can get exposed to moisture or water if the screen is cracked. Moisture from your hands or a steamy bathroom can sneak in through the cracks and damage the internal components. People using a waterproof phone will also face this issue.
Moisture can corrode internal circuits and cause long-term damage. You may also notice a fog or cloud under the screen that can make it difficult to see the screen clearly. In such cases, fixing your phone will get even costlier. This is why repairing the cracked screen as soon as possible is important.
Also Read: How to Save a Phone After Dropping It in Water?
5. It Can Affect Face ID, Fingerprint Sensors, and Cameras
Modern phones have many sensors under the screen. So, when the screen gets damaged, they can get damaged as well. You may notice problems with the:
Face ID: For iPhones and some Androids, Face ID relies on precise infrared sensors. If the phone’s surface gets damaged, these sensors may not function properly.
In-screen fingerprint sensors: Some phones have the fingerprint scanner on the screen. This means the sensor is on the screen as well. When your phone’s screen gets damaged, the fingerprint sensor might stop working.
Front Camera: If cracks reach the front camera area, you will notice hazy or blurry images. Clicking low-light images will become impossible.
Not being able to use these functions can significantly impact your user experience.
6. It Hurts Your Phone's Resale Value
Phones are expensive, and most people eventually sell or trade in their devices when buying a new one. If you are planning to use the phone for a little longer, you should repair it. A cracked screen will knock off a huge chunk of the resale value, even if everything else works perfectly.
You can expect the price to drop by 20-40% from its actual value if the screen is cracked. Some trade-in programs may even reject the phone due to the cracked screen. So, it is best that you fix the cracked phone if you want to get the best value.
However, people using very old phones can consider otherwise. Since the device will become outdated in a very short period of time, it might make sense to just sell the phone instead of investing more in it. Take all factors into account before making any decision.
Also Read: What To Do Before You Sell Your Phone (Android)?
7. It Can Lead to Unexpected Internal Damage
The screen is also a layer of protection for the internal components. So, when the screen gets damaged or cracked, the internal components become vulnerable. Even a little too much pressure can damage the hardware inside.
For instance, the motherboard can bend or shift if the phone screen is cracked and you keep it in a tight pocket or sit on it by accident. As a result, you might see ghost touches, random reboots, weird lines on your screen, or even total blackouts.
You can try to be gentle while using the device, but accidents can happen at any time. A small mistake can cost you a lot more than the initial repair.
8. User Experience Gets Worse
Sometimes, it is not about the money or appearance — it is about how you feel. And, a cracked screen can seriously impact your user experience. Using a phone with a cracked screen can become very frustrating, as performing even the simplest day-to-day tasks can get difficult.
You will experience issues every time you try to take pictures, answer messages, work, or make payments. Gaming or watching a movie would be a nightmare.
Also, every time you touch the screen or swipe on it, the surface will feel very uncomfortable.
What to do if your Phone’s Screen is Cracked?
A cracked phone screen is easy to ignore at first, but the risks add up quickly. So, you should always fix the cracked phone screen as soon as possible. In case the phone is old and you do not want to invest in it anymore, consider selling it instead of storing it away.
At Mobilegoo, you can sell your damaged phones online and get the best value. We have a ‘price match’ policy — if you can find a better deal, we will match it. Also, our executives pick up the devices from the doorsteps and provide instant payments. You just have to select your device, share a few details about the condition of the phone, and confirm the sale. We will try to get in touch with you on the same day.
People selling their old phones can buy refurbished phones if they want a budget-friendly device. All our devices are thoroughly checked. They pass through 55+ quality checks and are thoroughly refurbished by the experts. You will get up to a 1 year warranty on our devices.
Frequently Asked Questions About Phones with Cracked Screens
1. How much does it cost to replace the screen on a phone?
It is difficult to give a particular answer to this question. The cost of replacing a phone screen mainly depends on the brand and model. If you are using a high-end device, the cost can go high, around ₹10,000 - ₹15,000. The cost of repairing low-end phones can be around ₹4,000 - ₹6,000. However, if you visit a local service provider, you can get it fixed for a lot less. The quality of the material, however, may not be as per industry standards.
2. Can I still sell my phone with a cracked screen?
Yes, you can sell a phone with a cracked screen. At Mobilegoo, you can sell all phones and laptops online, whether old or damaged. We have a safe and secure platform that ensures your privacy. Also, selling to us eliminates the risk of scams or fraudulent activities. Our executive will call you to confirm the location and pick it up at your desired time. Also, you can always expect the highest prices when selling your old or used phones online.
3. Can a cracked screen cause ghost touch?
Ghost touch is when your screen starts reacting on its own — like opening apps, typing random letters, or swiping without you touching it. Since the digitizer under the screen can also get damaged with it, you can experience ghost touch.
Also, you can experience ghost touch if the cracks allow humidity or liquid to seep in. Additionally, a weakened screen structure can cause uneven pressure across the display and confuse the touch input system.
Using your phone with ghost touch will be almost impossible.