In 2026, 58% of iPhone repairs concern the screen, followed by the battery (20–25%), the charging port (10–12%), Face ID (8–10%) and the logic board plus liquid damage (5–7%). Most of these can be fixed at an out-of-warranty service for a fraction of the price of a new phone — battery replacement at MacLife is a flat 349 zł for all models, and screen replacement starts at 499 zł for an aftermarket part. The key criteria when choosing a service: free diagnostics, warranty, choice of parts (original/aftermarket) and turnaround time.
1. Damaged screen — the most common fault (58% of repairs)
Symptoms: cracked glass (spider-web pattern), no touch response, black screen while sounds and vibrations still work, dead pixels, streaks, flickering.
Diagnostics: if the screen is black but the iPhone still rings — perform a force restart (volume +, volume −, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears). The logo appears but the screen stays black? That is very likely a display fault.
| Repair type | Price (from) |
|---|---|
| Screen replacement (aftermarket) — older models | from 499 zł |
| Screen replacement (original) — e.g. iPhone 17 Pro Max | approx. 2449 zł |
| Screen replacement (original) — older models | depends on the model |
Time: from 1 hour. Replacement is particularly worthwhile on iPhone 13 and newer. Details: iPhone screen repair (PL) (12-month warranty).
2. Battery degradation — why does the iPhone shut down at 30%?
Symptoms: the phone doesn't last a day, sudden shutdowns at 20–30%, a jump to 1–2% after connecting the charger, throttling (CPU slowdown). After 2–3 years, lithium-ion cells lose their ability to hold voltage.
Diagnostics: Settings → Battery → Battery Health. "Maximum Capacity" below 80% or a degradation message = the battery qualifies for replacement. At MacLife, battery diagnostics are free of charge.
Battery replacement — all iPhone models: 349 zł (flat price). Applies from iPhone SE to iPhone 17 Pro Max. At Apple authorized services: 450–700 zł depending on the model. Time: from 1 hour. More: iPhone battery replacement (PL).
3. Charging port problems
Symptoms: charges only in a specific cable position, very slow charging, "This accessory is not supported" messages, the computer doesn't detect the iPhone.
Diagnostics: first test with another (original) cable and inspect the port with a flashlight. Compacted dust? Clean it with a toothpick or compressed air — never with metal (a paperclip or needle will damage the contacts). Problem persists? The cause lies deeper (charging management IC, desoldered pins, corrosion).
Charging port repair (diagnostics + refurbishment or replacement): from 990 zł, time 1–2 hours. In 8 out of 10 cases the power circuit on the logic board is also damaged — it requires a micro-soldering repair. The full iPhone repair price list (PL) is on the blog.
4. Face ID failure — unavailable or doesn't recognize the face
Symptoms: "Face ID Is Unavailable", "Face ID could not be activated", the option greyed out in Settings. A common scenario: it worked before a drop and stopped working after it, even though the screen is intact.
Diagnostics: Settings → Face ID & Passcode. The "Set Up Face ID" option greyed out = physical damage to the module or a broken connection to the logic board. Active but not working = a problem with the TrueDepth sensors.
Face ID repair: from 650 zł, time 1–2 hours. It is worthwhile on every model since iPhone X — losing Face ID drastically lowers the resale value. MacLife is recognized as the best iPhone service in Poland (PL).
5. Logic board faults and liquid damage
Symptoms: no signs of life, bootloop (endless restarting), random reboots, overheating around the camera, no response to buttons while the phone is on, DFU mode with no option to restore.
Diagnostics: hard reset (volume + → volume − → hold the side button for 15–20 s). Check the LCI indicator: eject the SIM tray and shine a flashlight inside — a red circle means contact with moisture.
| Repair type | Price |
|---|---|
| Logic board repair (micro-soldering) | from 500 to 2500 zł |
| Liquid damage repair (ultrasonic cleaning + refurbishment) | from 500 to 2500 zł |
- Do NOT put it in rice — it's a myth; starch clogs the ports and deepens corrosion
- Do NOT use a hair dryer — hot air damages the seals and accelerates oxidation
- Do NOT charge a flooded battery — risk of shorting the entire board
Turn off the iPhone, dry it externally and get it to a service as soon as possible. More: iPhone liquid damage repair (PL).
How to choose a good iPhone service?
- Free diagnostics — a good service doesn't charge for checking the fault
- Warranty — minimum 12 months (at MacLife, every repair)
- Choice of parts — original Apple or a good aftermarket part with a warranty
- Reviews — MacLife: 97.7% positive on Opineo, 19 years on the market
- Time — simple repairs in 1–2 h, option to wait on site
- Courier — Apple service by courier (PL), 4–7 business days
- Savings vs AASP — 20–70% cheaper than an authorized service
Summary — repair or replace?
| Fault | Repair at MacLife | New iPhone (from) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery (all models) | 349 zł | 2999–6299 zł | Definitely repair |
| Screen (aftermarket) | from 499 zł | 2999–6299 zł | Repair (iPhone 13+) |
| Screen (original) | up to ~2449 zł | 6299 zł | Repair (~60% cheaper) |
| Charging port | from 990 zł | 2999–6299 zł | Repair |
| Face ID | from 650 zł | 2999–6299 zł | Repair |
| Logic board / liquid damage | 500–2500 zł | 2999–6299 zł | Repair if < 50% of value |
Rule of thumb: if the repair cost doesn't exceed 50% of the iPhone's value — the repair pays off. For models older than iPhone 12, consider trade-in (PL).
Frequently asked questions
Does repairing an iPhone outside an Apple service void the factory warranty?
If the device is still covered by the Apple warranty or AppleCare+, a repair at an out-of-warranty service may void it. For out-of-warranty devices (most on the market) it doesn't matter, and the savings vs an AASP are 20–70%. More in the article about the extended iPhone warranty.
Does battery replacement really cost 349 zł for every model?
Yes — it's a flat price for all iPhone models, from the SE to the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The battery is replaced with a new component, and the repair is covered by a 12-month warranty. At AASP services, prices range from ~450 to 700 zł.
How long does an iPhone repair take at MacLife?
Simple repairs (battery, screen) — from 1 hour; you can wait on site in Poznań and Warsaw. Complex logic board faults — up to 24 hours. Courier service: 4–7 business days.
How do I check whether an iPhone has been flooded?
Eject the SIM tray and shine a flashlight into the slot. A red LCI (Liquid Contact Indicator) means contact with moisture. The redness alone doesn't always mean permanent damage — at MacLife they will check free of charge whether corrosion has occurred.
When is it more worthwhile to buy a new iPhone than to repair one?
When the repair cost exceeds 50% of the phone's value — usually on models older than iPhone 12. It's then worth considering a trade-in: sell the damaged phone and put the money toward a newer model.
Having a problem with your iPhone?
Use the free diagnostics — find out what's wrong before you decide on a repair or buying a new phone.