ESSENTIALA
The first-five kit
Driver, pick, suction grip, tweezers and a magnetic mat. Enough for careful inspection without a drawer of gimmicks.
FIELD NOTE / 001REPAIR BEFORE REPLACE
Fix it.
Know it.
Keep it.
Independent guidance for diagnosing your phone, choosing dependable parts and knowing when a repair is genuinely worth it.
0 sponsored scores 4 decision lenses UK parts & pricing
OPEN BENCHRYM / 01
INSPECTIONBattery · Screen · Ports
QUICK DIAGNOSISStart with the fault,
Start with the fault,
not the shopping basket.
Plain-English triage to separate a careful home fix from a job that needs a skilled bench.
01
Screen & glass
Cracks, ghost touch, OLED bleed and replacement quality.
OPEN GUIDE ↗ 02Power & battery
Battery health, overheating, charge cycles and safe swaps.
OPEN GUIDE ↗ 03Ports & audio
Charging ports, speakers, mics and careful debris removal.
OPEN GUIDE ↗ 04Water & impact
What to isolate now, what to dry, and when to stop.
OPEN GUIDE ↗ REPAIRABILITY INDEX
A phone score that rewards the second life.
Our published method combines access, part supply, software pairing, seal complexity and the real effort needed for a careful repair.
View the full index → CHECKWEIGHTEVIDENCEOUTPUT
Access & fastenersPhysical access 25% Opening path Damage risk
Parts & pairingReplacement reality 25% Supply route Calibration
Time & complexityPractical effort 25% Bench steps Retest scope
Value & longevityRepair decision 25% Total cost Useful life
Each published verdict must show its evidence, limitations and last review date.
PARTS REALITY CHECK
Cheap part. Expensive compromise?
Compare more than the checkout price. Warranty, calibration and returns can change the total cost of a repair.
SCREEN / REPLACEMENT DISPLAY
SUPPLY ROUTECOSTSUPPORTDECISION
ManufacturerOfficial service routeHigherCheck termsFIT FIRST
SpecialistDocumented part gradeMidCheck termsCOMPARE
MarketplaceSeller-specific listingVariesCheck termsVERIFY
Read our parts grading standard ↗ THE TOOL DRAWERBuy fewer tools.
Buy fewer tools.
Buy the right ones.
Bench-ready shortlists for a first repair, a battery service or a setup that will last beyond one weekend.
BATTERYB
Safe power service
Blunt cards, measured low heat, isopropyl alcohol and a fire-safe resting surface for adhesive-heavy battery work.
BENCHC
Serious home setup
ESD mat, controlled heat, magnification and USB power testing for repeat jobs and deeper diagnosis.
BENCH METHOD / 04
How we test a repair.
No mystery score and no race against a stopwatch. Every recommendation follows the same repeatable four-stage check.
Read our test policy ↘Failure first
We reproduce the fault before recommending a part or tool.
Open cleanly
We assess access, fasteners, adhesives and cable risk.
Price the reality
Part cost, time and calibration are considered together.
Retest the basics
Charging, audio, cameras, biometrics and sealing get a final pass.
EDITORIAL LANESUseful before, during
Browse all guides → Useful before, during
and after the repair.
TRUST, NOT TOOL THEATRE
We show the trade-offs, not just the toolkit.
Retailers may pay us when a reader buys through selected links. They do not see a score early, buy a place in a shortlist or edit a repair verdict.
01 Named scoring method02 UK price checks03 Clear affiliate labels
How we fund the bench →