replacement rear panel

[i robot]

Hi all I dropped my iPhone 4 and smashed the rear panel (2 foot drop). I was looking to see if anyone could recommend a desent replacement. My phones out of warranty and not insured (i knew the risks). I look at ifixit but they seem really pricey...but maybe they're are worth it for the quality?

Any suggestions/recommendation would be most welcome.

 

[Europa]

I'd make an appointment at the Genius Bar at an Apple Store. They usually fix them for free the first time. They'll probably still fix it for free even though the warranty is expired. If not, I think they charge $29 to fix a back plate. The back is cheaper and easier to fix than the front.

If you don't live near an Apple store, one option is to order the part online and fix it yourself. I've heard it's pretty easy to do.

 

[acosmichippo]

I have a white backplate from iFixit. It's an exact OEM replacement, so the quality is perfect. The big things are that the camera/flash apertures are right on, and the screw holes are metal (as opposed to plastic).

And it is incredibly easy to replace as long as you have the proper screwdriver to remove the screws on the bottom of the phone.

 

[Kgd0630]

I got a red one off eBay for $15 and it had a flash diffuser and metal screw holes. Any eye glass screw driver seems to fit. It's a great replacement! I did it just for looks.


Sent from my iPhone using iCafe app

 

[acosmichippo]

Any eye glass screw driver seems to fit.

A while ago Apple started using proprietary "pentalobular" screws to prevent people from messing with stuff. I think it was mainly motivated by so many people retrofitting black iPhones as white and making a profit selling them on ebay before the white iPhone 4 was released.

 

[Ltzguy]

A while ago Apple started using proprietary "pentalobular" screws to prevent people from messing with stuff. I think it was mainly motivated by so many people retrofitting black iPhones as white and making a profit selling them on ebay before the white iPhone 4 was released.

Most replacement backs come with the special screw driver (take that Apple!)

 

[i robot]

Thanks everyone. Unfortunately theres not an Apple store in Ireland as yet (bit smaller than China) so there's no popping to the store unfortunately. I think I will go with Ifixit as that's the second recommendation I've had for them. Thanks