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Make It Last

Repair or replace: how to actually decide

By Editorial Team Published 2 min read
os general tested 2026-09-09 retest 2027-03 by editorial team
Quick Fix
01 Use the 50% rule with a twist: if the repair costs less than half the price of a comparable replacement and the device still gets security updates for 2+ years, repair it.
02 If security support is ending within two years, put the money toward a replacement instead — a fixed device you can't safely use isn't worth fixing.
tested general · 2026-09-09

“Should I fix it or replace it?” comes down to three numbers and one date. Get those and the answer is usually obvious.

The four things to weigh

  • Repair cost — get a real quote (official, third-party, or DIY parts).
  • The device’s current value — what a working used one sells for.
  • Remaining security support — how long it keeps getting updates (check the tracker).
  • How the repair changes the above — a new battery or screen can reset years of usable life.

The rule of thumb

Repair if the cost is under about half the price of a comparable replacement and the device has two or more years of security updates left. Both conditions matter: a cheap repair on a device losing support next year just delays the inevitable, and an expensive repair on an otherwise-great device can still be worth it if it buys years.

Repairs that are almost always worth it

  • Phone or laptop battery — cheap, restores runtime, fits the “keep it working” approach.
  • Phone screen on a device with support life left.
  • Laptop SSD/RAM upgrade — turns “slow and old” into “fast enough” for a fraction of a new machine.
  • Laptop fan / thermal repaste on a machine that overheats.

Repairs that usually aren’t

  • Motherboard/logic-board failures on older devices — often close to replacement cost.
  • Anything on a device whose security support has ended or ends within ~2 years.
  • Multiple simultaneous faults on a budget device already near the end of its life.

The security-support twist most guides miss

The classic advice stops at “repair if it costs less than half.” But a perfectly repairable phone that loses security updates next year is a poor investment — you’d fix it only to replace it soon anyway. That’s why every repair-or-replace decision here checks the support tracker first. When support ends, the maths flips toward replacement even for a cheap fix.

Frequently asked questions

Is third-party repair safe?

A reputable independent shop is usually fine and cheaper than the manufacturer. For phones, ask whether parts are genuine or high-quality aftermarket, and keep the receipt.

Does repairing void my warranty?

Out-of-warranty, it doesn’t matter. In-warranty, use the manufacturer. In many regions, independent repair doesn’t automatically void statutory rights — check your local consumer law.

What about the environmental angle?

Repair almost always wins environmentally — most of a device’s lifetime carbon is in manufacturing, so keeping one running longer is the greener choice.

Sources