A question we often get asked is “Do you accept copy screens?” Put simply, we don’t- we only accept OEM and Non-OEM screens. However, people still send us copy screens for recycling and refurbishing, possibly because the difference isn’t as clear as it might be.

Apple iPhone screens fall under three categories; OEM, Non-OEM and Copy. But what is the difference?

The Old Days- “Original”, “Copy” and “High Copy” Refurbishments

Up until sometime in 2015 true copy screens weren’t available and there were only screens made by Sharp, Toshiba or LG for Apple.

This didn’t stop wholesalers in China referring to iPhone screens as “original”, “high copy” or “copy”. However, this didn’t refer to the screen per se. This actually meant the quality of the glass, frame and small parts on the screen rather than the LCD itself.

If you bought “original” quality then you would have been sent a screen that came from one of the factories making screens for Apple, which was refurbished with as close to original parts as possible or was pulled from a new phone. “Copy” and “high copy” screens still used an original LCD but were refurbished with lower quality parts– exactly there the “copy” came into play.

Present Day Situation- OEM, Non-OEM and true “Copy” Screens

In 2015 there was a major shortage of iPhone screens and this drove the price to more than three or four times the regular selling price. This forced the factories in China to develop their own screen so the shortage didn’t affect them. These screens are made in a completely different way to the original Apple screens, and the quality varies depending on the factory making the LCD and the factory assembling it.

What’s the Difference Between the Three Types?

Apart from the difference in quality, an OEM screen (i.e. an original Apple one), has the touch on the LCD. During refurbishment the glass is removed and the touch stays with the LCD. This is the same with non-OEM screens as these use the original Apple LCD.

However, copy screens are entirely different as most of those have the touch on the glass. Once the broken glass is removed the touch is lost. While copy screens can be refurbished they take more work than an original screen and have next to no value especially as the cost of copy screens is dropping all the time.

How do you identify which is which?

There are a number of identifying marks you can use to determine if the screen is OEM, non-OEM or a copy. This varies from model to model and the lists given below are not exhaustive. These are simply the things we use to determine which type of screen it is.

 

OEM Screens

OEM screens are the original screen that came on the phone when it was new. To spot an OEM screen:-

• Check to make sure the touch flex is not connected to the glass
• In the top left-hand corner there is a black sticker over the 3d barcode
• Has the Apple logo or barcode on the flex
• Has the rainbow coloured tint on the camera lens
• Has no supplier stamp or warranty sticker on the frame, flex or backlight sticker

 

 

Non-OEM Screens

Non-OEM screens are an original screen that’s been refurbished or replaced. To spot a non-OEM screen:-

• Check to make sure the touch flex is not connected to the glass
• Check if any of the identifying marks of OEM are present
• Check if there are any supplier stamps on the frame, flex or backlight sticker

 

 

Copy Screens

Copy screens are entirely new screens designed and manufactured by independent third parties without the involvement or endorsement of Apple. To spot a copy screen:-

• Check to make sure the touch flex is connected to the glass
• Inspect the flex cable to determine if a copy or original

 

 
When you’ve been checking screens for as long as we have it becomes second nature to determine the type of screen it is in seconds. When we’re testing a batch of screens that comes in, any copy screens are filtered out without checking if they work because we don’t recycle or refurbish these. The original screens are then processed to be tested and dealt with under the service you’ve requested.