iPhone Screen Types Explained – Incell vs Hard OLED vs Soft OLED vs OEM
iPhone Screen Types Explained – Incell vs Hard OLED vs Soft OLED vs OEM
📱 iPhone Repair
⏱ 5 min read
Getting your iPhone screen replaced? Here’s something most people don’t know: not all replacement screens are the same.
Two shops can quote very different prices for the “same” repair, and the difference usually comes down to which type of screen they’re using. That choice affects your colours, brightness, battery life and how the phone feels in your hand. Here’s a simple, honest breakdown.
LCD vs OLED: the quick explanation
An LCD screen uses a backlight that lights up the whole display from behind. An OLED screen lights up each pixel on its own, and turns pixels completely off for black.
- ✓ True blacks – OLED pixels switch off completely, instead of showing a greyish glow
- ✓ Richer colours and contrast – especially in photos, videos and dark mode
- ✓ Better battery life – dark pixels use little to no power
- ✓ Thinner panel – no backlight layer needed
Every iPhone from the iPhone X onward came with an OLED screen from the factory, except the iPhone XR and iPhone 11, which use LCD. That’s why the screen you choose matters so much on newer models.
The 5 types of iPhone replacement screens
📱 Incell LCD
An aftermarket LCD screen with the touch layer built into the display. On iPhones that originally came with OLED, it’s the cheapest way to get the phone working again, but it’s a different technology than what Apple installed.
✅ Good: the lowest price.
⚠ Watch for: thicker panel, duller colours, greyish blacks and more battery drain.
🚫 Not installed at JS Information
🔲 Hard OLED
A real OLED panel built on a rigid glass base. You get true blacks and rich colours at a lower price than flexible OLED.
✅ Good: true OLED blacks and colours for less.
⚠ Watch for: slightly thicker, and a bit wider bottom border on some models.
🚫 Not installed at JS Information
⭐ Soft OLED
A flexible OLED built the same way as Apple’s original screens. It looks, feels and fits like the factory screen, at a much better price than genuine.
✅ Good: closest match to the original in look, thickness and battery use.
⚠ Watch for: costs a bit more than Incell or Hard OLED, but worth it for most people.
✅ Our standard: always in stock at JS Information
♻ OEM Refurbished
An original Apple display panel that has been professionally re-glassed. The display itself is genuine Apple quality.
✅ Good: genuine Apple colour, brightness and touch.
⚠ Watch for: a higher price than aftermarket screens.
📦 Available at JS Information by special order
🍎 OEM (New Genuine)
A brand-new genuine Apple screen, exactly what came out of the factory.
✅ Good: 100% original, the best possible quality.
⚠ Watch for: the most expensive option by far.
📦 Available at JS Information by special order
Our standard: Soft OLED or OEM, nothing less
At JS Information, we believe in quality repairs. That’s why we don’t install Incell LCD or Hard OLED screens on OLED iPhones. They may cost less upfront, but they don’t give you the experience your iPhone was designed for.
- ⭐ Soft OLED – our standard. Always in stock, so most screen repairs are done the same day. It’s the quality most of our customers want: it looks, feels and performs like the original.
- 🍎 Genuine Apple (OEM Refurbished or New) – by special order. Want a genuine Apple display and don’t mind waiting? We can order a refurbished or brand-new OEM screen for you, as long as our supplier has it in stock.
Either way, you get a screen you’ll be happy with, and we’ll always tell you exactly what’s going into your phone.
❌ Myth: “A cheaper screen is just as good”
Not quite. If your iPhone came with an OLED screen, an Incell LCD will work, but you’ll usually notice duller colours, a slightly thicker feel and shorter battery life. A surprisingly low quote often means a lower-grade screen.
Always ask which type of screen you’re getting. At JS Information, the answer is simple: Soft OLED or genuine Apple, nothing less.
ℹ What about the “Unknown Part” message?
On iPhone 11 and newer, any screen that isn’t brand-new genuine Apple may show an “Unknown Part” notice in Settings. It’s just a notice from Apple, and it doesn’t affect how your phone works.
See the difference for yourself
Every iPhone screen repair at JS Information includes
- ✓ FREE tempered glass protector – installed for you, with every screen replacement
- ✓ 6-month warranty – on part functionality
- ✓ Full testing before return – touch, display, Face ID and cameras checked
- ✓ Same-day service – Soft OLED screens are always in stock, so most repairs are done the same day
- ✓ Quality only – Soft OLED or genuine Apple, never a budget LCD
Learn more about our iPhone repair services in Moncton.
📱 Cracked iPhone screen?
Get a quality Soft OLED screen, usually the same day, or ask us about a genuine Apple screen.
Serving the Greater Moncton Area
Located at 2 Inglewood Street in Moncton, NB. We provide iPhone screen replacement to Moncton, Dieppe, Riverview, and surrounding communities.
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