Original or compatible? Phone repair parts explained
The same repair can cost very different amounts depending on the part. A cheaper screen or battery is not always a bad choice, but you should know what you are getting. This guide explains the main part types we offer, what changes with each, and the questions to ask any repair shop.
Written by Zojari technicians with 12+ years of phone repair experience
What the part type changes
- Screen brightness, colour and how it looks outdoors
- Touch response and how smooth scrolling feels
- Battery life, especially with a replacement screen on OLED phones
- Fingerprint-under-screen working on some models
- Price of the repair
- Length of the warranty we can give
Questions to ask before any repair
- Is this part original, a service pack or compatible?
- If the original screen is OLED, is the replacement OLED or LCD?
- What warranty comes with this part, and what does it exclude?
- Will my phone show a message about the part?
- Can I see the part before it is fitted?
Warning signs at a repair shop
- The shop won't say what kind of part it is fitting
- A price that is far below every other shop for an original part
- No warranty, or a warranty only given by word of mouth
- Pressure to decide before you understand the options
The main part types
Not every type exists for every model. We tell you which are available for yours.
Original (manufacturer) parts
Made by or for the phone's manufacturer. The closest match to how the phone left the factory and usually the most expensive. Supply depends on the model.
Service pack screens
Original screens supplied by the manufacturer for repairs, often already fitted to a new frame on Samsung phones. Same quality as the factory screen, with fewer fitting risks.
Compatible OLED screens
Made by other suppliers using OLED technology like the original. Good colour and battery life at a lower price. Quality varies between suppliers, so we only fit grades we have tested.
Compatible LCD (incell) screens
The lowest-cost option for phones that came with OLED screens. Often thicker, less bright, and can use more battery; under-screen fingerprint sensors may not work. A fair choice for an older phone or a tight budget, as long as you know the trade-off.
Replacement batteries
Original and quality compatible batteries are available for most models. Avoid batteries claiming far more capacity than the original: the label is usually wrong.
How Zojari handles parts
Before any repair, we tell you which part types exist for your exact model, the price and warranty on each, and any differences you might notice. On some phones, including recent iPhones and some Samsung models, the phone may show a message that a non-genuine or unknown part is fitted, and features like True Tone may need setting up again; we tell you about this in advance. You choose, and the part type is written on your job card.
Request a quotationCommon questions
Is a compatible screen bad?
Not necessarily. A good compatible OLED screen is a sensible choice for many people. The problems come from very cheap parts and from not being told what was fitted.
Why is the original screen so much more expensive?
Manufacturers price their own parts high and supply is limited. For flagship phones the screen can be a large share of the phone's value.
Will my iPhone say the screen is not genuine?
On recent iPhones, a screen, battery or camera not paired by Apple can show a message in Settings. The phone still works, and we explain what you may see before you decide.
Other repair guides
- Phone not charging or charging very slowly?Phone doesn't respond when plugged in · Cable only works when held at an angleRead the guide
- Phone keeps restarting on its own?Restarts while you are using it, often under load (camera, games, calls) · Gets stuck on the brand logo and restarts again (boot loop)Read the guide
- Phone dropped in water or had a drink spilled on it?Phone switched off or won't turn on after getting wet · Lines, spots or flicker on the screenRead the guide
- No network, no service or SIM not detected?'No service' or 'Emergency calls only' · 'No SIM' or 'Invalid SIM'Read the guide
- Screen stays black during calls, or you hang up with your cheek?Screen stays black during a call and you can't hang up · Your cheek mutes or ends callsRead the guide
- Callers can't hear you, or you can't hear them?Callers say you sound far away or can't hear you · You can only hear callers on loudspeakerRead the guide
Your Device Deserves Expert Care.
Over 12 years of phone repair experience in Kampala. Tell us what’s wrong and a technician will recommend the right repair. No fix, no fee.