If you've looked into getting a phone screen repaired, you've probably come across three terms: genuine, OEM, and aftermarket. They're used inconsistently, often interchangeably, and rarely explained clearly. Here's what they actually mean.
Genuine screens
A genuine screen — also called an "original" or "Apple-original" — is a display assembly manufactured by the phone maker, supplied through their official repair channel. For iPhones, that means a screen obtained through Apple's repair programme.
Genuine screens match the factory spec exactly. Colours, brightness, touch sensitivity and ambient light response are all calibrated to the original. On iPhone 12 and later, a genuine Apple screen avoids the "unable to verify" style message in Settings.
The catch is availability and cost. Genuine screens are typically only available through official repair providers, and the cost is higher than the alternatives.
OEM screens
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. In the phone repair context, an OEM screen usually refers to a display made by the same manufacturers that supply the phone maker's production line — companies like Samsung Display, BOE, Japan Display, LG Display — but sold outside the official repair channel.
OEM screens are often very close to factory spec. The components come from the same production lines, just sold without the brand's official approval for repairs. Quality is generally high, though consistency can vary depending on the supplier.
The term gets muddied because some sellers label any quality screen as "OEM" — it's worth knowing what you're actually getting.
Aftermarket screens
Aftermarket screens are manufactured by third parties who aren't in the phone maker's supply chain. Quality ranges enormously. A well-sourced aftermarket screen from a reputable supplier can perform very close to OEM spec. A poor-quality one can have washed-out colours, inaccurate white balance, laggy touch response, or fail prematurely.
Price reflects this range. The cheapest aftermarket screens are significantly less than OEM. Better-quality aftermarket screens sit between the cheapest and OEM pricing.
At The Fone Club, our aftermarket screens are sourced from suppliers we've tested for quality and consistency. They perform well for everyday use. The difference compared to a premium screen is most visible in side-by-side comparison — colour accuracy and peak brightness are the most noticeable variables.
Which should you choose?
For most people in most situations, an aftermarket screen is the right choice. It costs less, performs well, and is covered by our repair warranty.
Choose a premium (OEM-equivalent) screen if colour accuracy matters to you — if you edit photos, do graphic design work, or simply notice and care about display quality. The difference is real, even if it's subtle in everyday use.
A note on iPhone 13 and later: Apple introduced a software pairing system that links the screen to the logic board. A non-Apple screen on these models will show a notification in Settings. This affects the message, not the function — the screen works normally. Some premium screens use chips that suppress the notification.
What we offer
At The Fone Club we offer aftermarket and premium screen options for iPhone models where the difference is meaningful. Samsung and Pixel screens are sourced from quality suppliers. We'll tell you exactly what you're getting before you commit.
Come in to Majura Park Shopping Centre, Canberra Airport, or book online.