"Nikkei Trendy March 2022 issue" released on February 4, 2022 features "smartphone charges". Although recent smartphones have become more durable, there are probably many people who have dropped and cracked the screen or submerged in water. Rather than buying a new one immediately, repairing it and using it for a long time reduces the total cost. After understanding the characteristics of various repair companies, I want to fix it at a reasonable price. [Illustration] Differences in types of repair companies See this magazine for details.In the urban areas of big cities, you can often see shops specializing in "smartphone repair". Although recent smartphones have become more durable, they are not at a level where they will never break down. Many people have experienced dropping the screen and breaking it or submerging it in water. At this time, if you fix your smartphone and use it for a long time, you can maintain a comfortable smartphone life cheaper than paying for a replacement. I would like to repair it at a reasonable price by utilizing the repair shop in the city as necessary. "The first thing I want to keep in mind is the difference in the types of repair companies." For example, in the case of the iPhone, in addition to manufacturer repairs, there are two types of "authorized service providers" such as home appliance mass retailers authorized by Apple (Bic Camera, Camera Kitamura, etc.) and other registered repair companies. In a nutshell, the difference between the two is whether genuine parts, including the main board, can be used. In other words, if the main board is damaged due to submersion, etc., it can only be repaired by an authorized service provider (replacement of the board and main body), but most other parts such as the glass surface, liquid crystal, battery, camera, connector, speaker, etc. With compatible parts, even a general registered repairer can fix it. It can be repaired cheaper than repairing with genuine parts, and if it is a partial repair that does not involve board replacement, the possibility of losing saved data is low. As for Android smartphones, since repair parts are distributed for smartphones that are sold worldwide, such as Galaxy and Xperia, various stores can handle them. ●Registered repairers may not be eligible for discounts on the manufacturer's warranty　Generally, repairs at authorized service providers require an appointment, and it is often difficult to perform same-day repairs. In addition, there is a tendency for there to be fewer in regional cities. For this reason, "There are many people who are in the paid repair plan AppleCare+, but repair it with a general repair shop," says Yuji Maeda of the Technology Promotion Section of the Yu Solutions Store Business Headquarters. However, if it is repaired by a registered repairer, it may not be eligible for discounts such as the manufacturer's warranty or AppleCare+. In 2021, the "independent repair provider" system will start, under which independent repair companies will receive genuine parts certified by Apple. In the future, the possibility of receiving repairs with genuine parts will increase even in rural areas. In addition, some repair companies can "modify" while repairing. It is common to repair the battery, replacing it with a battery with a larger capacity than the genuine part. Even with an old model, the drive time is longer than when it is new, and the service life is extended, which is a benefit as a result. On the other hand, there is also a strategy to reduce repair costs by “downgrading”. If you dare to use low-priced liquid crystal parts when the organic EL screen is broken, the repair cost will be reduced by several thousand yen. Of course, the appearance of the screen will change, but if it can be divisible such as "I hope it can be used until the next iPhone is released", it is worth considering. In addition, if you have time, having repairs done by a repair shop in an urban area is another way to reduce costs. Even in affiliated shops of the same company, repair costs are cheaper in big cities where repair shops are concentrated and competition is fierce. If you're planning a trip or business trip, it's also a good idea to check the repair prices of shops near your destination.

Genichiro Ohashi