Assessing the quality of phone parts
Phone parts come in different qualities, so let’s try to explain how they differ.
|
Quality |
Warranty |
Benefits |
Disadvantages |
|
Original |
2 years |
– highest quality |
– high price – not profitable for older devices |
| Original – Apple | 2 years |
– highest quality |
– high price |
|
Premium |
2 years | – same quality as the original – best value for money
– Functional True tone technology |
– currently only available on certain iPhone devices |
|
OEM |
2 years | – lower price – also available after the original production run | – higher failure rate than original – True tone technology does not work on Apple devices |
|
Used (Grade A) |
1 year |
– lower price
– also available after the original production run |
– may show signs of use – only 1 year warranty |
|
HQ |
3 months |
– very low price | – high failure rate – colours unstable
– often does not fit the shape of the device properly – True tone technology does not work on Apple devices |
In the world of mobile phone spare parts, there are an unusually large number of acronyms. We know they are not easy to navigate. We therefore present a short article explaining the most important terms.
Original
Example:
LCD screen for Samsung Galaxy S10 – GH82-18850A
LCD screen Huawei P20 Lite – 02351XUA, 02351VUV
LCD screen for Xperia Z5 Compact – 1297-3734
This is the highest quality available on the market. 100% corresponds to the part that has been in the unit since manufacture. But at the same time, original parts are often very expensive compared to OEMs. Older and cheaper phones often cost more than the value of the device itself. Often, this quality is not achieved until 2 years after the end of the sale of a particular device model.
Original Apple – LCD
LCD displays sold as Apple Originals are genuine direct from Foxcon. For some Apple iPhone models, new displays are no longer available, in which case the LCDs we sell are original LCDs, removed from damaged Apple devices, then manufactured and resold directly by Foxcon. It’s the only way to get a genuine Apple LCD screen without using an authorised service centre. Apple’s LCDs are manufactured by Sharp, LG, Toshiba and Samsung.
Genuine Apple – all other parts except LCD
Apple partners with more than 200 companies around the world to make the hardware for its phone (Apple iPhone). “Apple develops only the software and design for its mobile phones. For example, Apple’s battery is manufactured by Huizhou Desay Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Our Apple device batteries, sold as original, are made by this company. This also applies to all other parts sold as Apple Original.
Premium
“Premium is simply the highest quality at a relatively low price. Unlike OEM displays, it supports TrueTone functionality. The individual parts of the LCD kit (touch screen, LCD display) used in the premium products are of the highest quality and manufactured by SHARP Electronics of Japan. All Premium products come with a 2-year warranty, which we can afford due to the minimal failure rate and above-average quality. Japanese manufacturer SHARP Electronics is one of Apple’s suppliers. Apple partners with more than 200 companies around the world to make the hardware for its phone (Apple iPhone). For example, the LCD screen for Apple is designed and manufactured by 4 companies – SHARP, LG, Toshiba and Samsung. “Apple develops only the software and design for its mobile phones. If you are interested in our Premium brand, you can read more about it on our blog.
OEM – Original Equipment Manufacturer
Replacement parts sold as OEM (“Original Equipment Manufacturer”) parts are parts made to the same standards, specifications and materials as the original. It is a copy of the original and any replacement part supplied as an OEM part does not lose its function (except for TrueTone for iPhone) or quality compared to the original.
Used (Grade A)
Original spare part removed from a used unit. 2 years after the end of the sale, there is no new OEM part available. Marked as EOL (End of Life). This makes the used product the only original on the market.
HQ
Spare part quality is lower than OEM. Not all materials and manufacturing procedures are approved by the device manufacturer. As the quality of spare parts of this quality cannot be guaranteed, we offer spare parts of this quality with a limited warranty of 3 months.