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The difference between genuine and aftermarket Samsung screens is massive. Here's the truth most repair shops won't tell you.
A customer came in last month after getting her Samsung S23 Ultra screen replaced elsewhere for £120. Three weeks later, she couldn't use her phone outside - the screen washed out completely in daylight. Her fingerprint sensor had also stopped working reliably. This is a common story with aftermarket Samsung parts.
I held her phone next to our demo S23 Ultra with a genuine Samsung screen. Even in the shop's lighting, the difference was obvious. Her screen had a grey cast to it. The genuine screen was crisp and vibrant.
"They said it was a quality screen," she said.
It wasn't. We see this regularly - about 40 customers a year come to us after aftermarket Samsung repairs disappointed them. This article explains why we only use genuine Samsung screens, even though it means higher prices. The quality difference with Samsung is simply too significant to compromise on.
Samsung's AMOLED technology is extraordinary. Each pixel produces its own light, creating perfect blacks, incredible contrast, and vibrant colours. But this technology is hard to replicate, and aftermarket manufacturers cut corners that become obvious in daily use.
Put a genuine Samsung screen next to an aftermarket one, and you'll notice:
This is the killer difference. Samsung's flagship screens reach 1750 nits peak brightness - you can use your phone in direct sunlight with no problem. Aftermarket screens max out at 500-700 nits.
What does this mean in practice?
Warning
The outdoor test: If you've had a screen replacement and now struggle to use your phone in sunlight, you probably have an aftermarket panel. This is the most common complaint we hear from people who paid for cheap repairs.
Samsung's ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is built into the display assembly. It works by sending ultrasonic pulses through the screen to create a 3D map of your fingerprint. This technology requires precise calibration with the specific display panel.
Aftermarket screens often cause fingerprint issues:
With genuine Samsung screens, the fingerprint sensor works exactly as designed. 100% of the time. This is non-negotiable for us.
Planning to sell or trade in your Samsung eventually? Aftermarket screens can cost you 20-30% of the phone's value.
We've seen customers lose £150-200 on trade-in value because of a £100 "bargain" screen repair. The maths doesn't work.
With iPhones, the genuine vs aftermarket gap is smaller. Apple's screens are excellent, but the technology is more widely understood, and quality aftermarket alternatives exist. A good aftermarket iPhone screen can be 85-90% as good as genuine.
With Samsung AMOLED, the gap is much bigger:
Aftermarket manufacturers can't match Samsung's vertical integration and decades of AMOLED refinement. The result is screens that look okay in a shop but disappoint in real-world use.
We could offer cheaper Samsung repairs with aftermarket screens. We'd make more money on each repair - aftermarket panels have better margins. But we'd also have unhappy customers coming back when their fingerprints stop working or they can't use their phones outside.
Our position is simple: if you want a screen that works exactly like your original Samsung screen - with full brightness, working fingerprint, accurate colours, and no resale value hit - you need genuine Samsung parts. There's no shortcut.
Good News
Our guarantee: Every Samsung screen we fit is genuine Samsung. You'll get original brightness, working fingerprint sensor, factory colour calibration, and a 27-month warranty. No compromises.
Yes, our Samsung repairs cost more than some competitors. A genuine S24 Ultra screen costs us significantly more than an aftermarket one. See our full Samsung screen repair pricing guide for exact costs by model. But you're paying for a screen that:
If you've had a bad experience with a cheap screen repair, or you want to do it right the first time, we're here. Genuine Samsung screens only. And if your Samsung has had water damage, we handle that too — often the screen needs attention alongside ultrasonic cleaning.
Visit us: Byte, Dovehouse Parade, Solihull.
Mail-in: Free shipping both ways across the UK.
Complete Guide
Samsung Repair ServicesRead our comprehensive guide covering everything you need to know.