Whether it was an accident like dropping it in the sink or you didn’t think being on your phone in a sauna could cause any harm, realizing your device isn’t working can bring panic. Buying a new cell phone to replace your damaged one can be expensive – and according to Allstate Protection Plans, the average cost for smartphone repairs and replacements now sits at $302 – so you’d probably like to find another way to get your device working.
There’s good news – you can sometimes salvage a phone with water damage. Repair costs can vary depending on your device and where you go: iPhone water damage repairs usually run $70-$400, but Android repairs usually fall between $50-$250. Apple’s out-of-warranty repairs can cost $269-$699 depending on the model, though AppleCare+ drops that to a flat $99 for accidental damage. Third-party shops usually offer the same repairs for $60-$300 with faster turnaround. Learn how to evaluate your phone’s water damage repair cost and determine if your phone has some more life in it – or if it’s time for a replacement.
What Affects the Cost of Water Damage?
The cost of repair for a water-damaged cell phone can vary widely — it’s tough for a technology repair shop to choose a Samsung or iPhone’s water damage repair cost unless they see its internal parts. That said, iPhone water damage repairs usually run between $70-$400. But Android repairs usually fall in the $50-$250 range. Apple specifically charges $269-$699 for out-of-warranty repairs depending on the model, though that drops to a flat $99 with AppleCare+ for accidental damage. Third-party repair shops manage the same repairs for $60-$300, frequently with faster turnaround times.
Still, you might be able to review your phone to estimate the cost of water damage repair. Think about these things that could affect the cost of repairing a cell phone with water damage:
1. Severity of Damage
The type of damage your phone experienced can vary from mild to severe, and you might not necessarily be able to tell immediately. Water can enter your phone through its charging port, speakers and other openings. If water gets inside, it can stay there for days. Even if your phone is dry on the outside, water could be corroding or rusting internal circuitry.
How do you assess the severity of your cell phone’s water damage? Think about how much water your phone was exposed to. Spilling half a glass of water on your phone will cause less damage than submerging it for a few minutes. The best way to determine the extent of your phone’s damage is to have an expert open it up. Remember that if your data needs to be professionally recovered, repair shops usually charge an extra $50-$150 on top of the base repair cost. If you need the repair done faster, expedited service can add another 20-30% to your total bill.
2. Whether or Not You Have Insurance
Many insurance providers offer electronics insurance that gives cell phone owners a break if their phones experience water damage. These plans are usually affordable, with monthly premiums ranging from $5 to $20. Liquid damage is one of a few accidents that electronics insurance can cover, along with mechanical problems, theft and sometimes loss.
Water damage might not faze you if you have electronics insurance for your cell phone, as the cost of repair will be lower. According to Allstate Protection Plans surveys conducted in 2023, the average cost for smartphone repairs and replacements has reached $302 — a figure that goes to show just how helpful a protection plan can be. Cell phone screen repair spending surged to $8.3 billion in 2023, nearly tripling from $3.4 billion in 2018, which makes insurance coverage more worthwhile than ever.
3. Whether Your Phone Is Water Resistant
Many newer cell phones have a level of water resistance. Phone manufacturers like Apple and Samsung offer water-resistant devices tested in laboratory settings to determine how much water the phones can withstand, and each phone is rated according to ingress protection (IP), a universal measurement for liquid resistance.
A rating of IP68 means the phone can be submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes, though some phones carrying the IP68 designation are rated for greater maximum depths. Even though a phone’s water resistance rating suggests it’s less likely to sustain water damage, it’s no guarantee that your phone is immune from water damage — and it’s worth mentioning that water damage is not covered under standard manufacturer warranties even on IP-rated devices.
Apple gives a list of water-resistant iPhones. You can also find a list of Samsung’s IP-rated cell phones. A water-resistant phone may sustain less internal damage from exposure, potentially lowering your repair cost compared to a non-rated device in the same situation.
4. Type of Phone
The age, type and model of your cell phone can also affect how much it costs to repair it after water damage. If you have a newer cell phone, the cost of repair is usually higher than for an older phone, because the latest devices have innovative technology and the newest parts. These parts are more expensive to buy and, so, more expensive to repair.
That means your brand-new cell phone might cost you more to repair than an older model. For example, the water damage repair cost on an older iPhone model is likely considerably less than repairing a latest-generation iPhone 16 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S25. As flagship phones continue to push the boundaries of display and chip technology, the cost of sourcing and replacing those premium internal parts only goes up.
How to Tell if Your Phone Is Fixable
If your phone has been water damaged, you could be trying to stay away from taking your cell phone in to see the tech doctor – at least for now. Fortunately, you can do a few things to determine if your phone is fixable. Ask yourself these questions to decide if your phone is repairable:
1. Does It Turn On?
You may be tempted to immediately turn on your phone after retrieving it from the water to see if it’s still working – this isn’t a good idea since water is a conductor of electricity. The power surging through your phone could ruin it.
Instead, power your phone off as soon as you dry it off. If there’s any leftover water inside your device, turning it off can prevent further damage to the internal circuitry. It’s best to wait at least 48 hours before turning on or charging your phone – maybe a hard wait, but it matters. If your phone powers on after this time, it’s probably fixable.
2. Have You Removed the SIM Card?
Give your phone a fighting chance by removing everything from it you can; it can protect expensive elements from water damage and help the phone dry out better. You should make sure that the phone is externally dry before taking this step.
Remove the SIM card as soon as possible. You can open the SIM tray on iPhones with a paper clip or a SIM-eject tool. For a Samsung device, the SIM tray is usually accessible via an eject tool as well. Most modern Samsung phones no longer have removable backs or batteries. Keep your SIM card in case you can salvage some of your phone’s stored data.
Here are a few other pieces you can remove to help your phone dry:
- The phone case
- The screen protector
- The memory card (if your device has one)
- The stylus (if applicable)
3. Have You Tried Removing the Water?
You probably toweled your phone off immediately after you got it wet – this dried off your cell phone’s surface. But since water can also be inside your device, try to remove it from the inside before taking it to a repair shop.
Here are some of the best methods for removing water from inside a phone:
- Open air: One of the best ways to dry your phone is by setting it out in warm, open air. The air evaporates the moisture effectively, although this process might take several days. You can place your phone in an area with some ambient warmth, but avoid external heat sources like hair dryers, as excessive heat can damage internal components and circuitry.
- Silica gel: Silica gel – found in the form of crystal cat litter or silica gel packets – is one of the most effective drying agents available. Place your phone in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag and cover it with silica beads. Leave it for at least 24 to 48 hours before attempting to turn it on.
- Instant couscous or rice: If silica gel isn’t on hand, instant couscous or instant rice from your pantry can help absorb moisture in a pinch. These work better than uncooked white rice because the instant varieties absorb water more quickly. Place your phone in an airtight container covered with the couscous or rice and wait at least 24 hours. Note that this method is considered a last resort, as food particles can occasionally find their way into ports and openings.
If none of these different methods get your phone working again, it may be time to visit a repair shop. Water damage repair for an iPhone usually runs between $70 and $400. But Android repairs usually range from $50 to $250 at third-party shops. If you have AppleCare+, Apple charges a flat $99 for accidental damage repairs – savings compared to out-of-warranty costs of $269 to $699 depending on the model. Remember that if data recovery is needed, professional shops may charge an extra $50 to $150, and rush service can add another 20 to 30% to the total bill.
The Cost to Repair a Phone
Taking your cell phone to a professional is sometimes the only way to know how damaged it is. However, the cost to repair your phone could be more than the device is worth.
While the cost to repair a water-damaged phone changes by repair shop, phone model and severity of the damage, the expense is likely to fall on a number. Let’s talk about what you can expect:
1. With Insurance
If you have cell phone insurance, all you’ll pay to have your water-damaged phone repaired is your deductible. Your deductible can vary according to your insurance provider. For example, AppleCare+ covers accidental damage for a flat $99 deductible. Other providers have deductibles as low as $29. Remember that some devices might prompt a higher deductible than others.
Many cell phone insurance providers allow you to take your phone to a local repair shop. Others will accept mailed-in phones or give you home visits from their technicians. Check with your insurance provider’s policy to see what coverage you have.
2. Without Insurance
Having phone damage insurance can considerably cut back on the cost of repairing a phone with water damage. But this insurance is pretty underutilized. According to Allstate Protection Plans surveys, the average cost for smartphone repairs and replacements has reached $302 – a figure that goes to show just how expensive going without coverage can be. Spending on cellphone screen repairs alone surged to $8.3 billion in 2023, nearly tripling from $3.4 billion in 2018.
The cost to repair a water-damaged phone can depend on the type of damage, your phone’s model and where you get it repaired. Some water damage repair means a liquid cleaning and others need replacement parts and labor. Here’s a general overview of what to expect:
- Apple (out-of-warranty): $269-$699 depending on model, or a flat $99 with AppleCare+
- Third-party repair shops (iPhone): $70-$400
- Third-party repair shops (Android): $50-$250
- Third-party shops vs. Apple: Third-party shops typically charge $60-$300 and often offer faster turnaround times
- Data recovery: Can add an extra $50-$150 to the total bill
- Rush/expedited service: Expect to pay 20-30% more for faster repairs
What to Do if Your Phone Is Beyond Repair
Maybe you’ve tried multiple home remedies that haven’t helped your waterlogged cell phone. If the cost of having a professional repair it seems too expensive, what should you do with it? Ridding your phone of water damage can be more trouble than it’s worth.
Consider your options for what to do with your water-damaged phone:
1. Calculate the Cost
First, determine if your phone is worth more broken or repaired. You can calculate your phone’s net value after the necessary repairs by:
- Finding the current value of your cell phone based on its model and condition
- Determining the cost of repair for water damage
- Subtracting the cost of the repair or your insurance deductible from the phone’s value
Repair costs can vary depending on where you go and what device you own. Apple charges between $269 and $699 for out-of-warranty water damage repairs depending on the model, though AppleCare+ cuts that down to a flat $99 for accidental damage. Third-party repair shops usually charge $60-$300 for the same work and usually give you faster turnaround. In general, water damage repair for an iPhone runs around $70-$400, while Android repairs tend to fall in the $50-$250 range. Remember that data recovery services can add another $50-$150, and rush service fees can tack on an extra 20-30% to the total bill.
According to Allstate Protection Plans, the average cost for smartphone repairs and replacements is $302 – a figure that puts the true expense of water damage in perspective. If repairing your phone would leave it with a comparable resale value, having it fixed might make sense. Once you know the repair cost, compare it against what your phone is worth in its current broken state before making a choice.
2. Sell or Recycle It
If professional repair isn’t an option for your phone, you can always sell it broken or recycle it. Many businesses will buy water-damaged cell phones, though some will consider a phone with water damage as broken. The amount you can expect for a water-damaged phone can depend on the extent of the damage and if the water triggered its water damage indicator. You can put any cash you get toward buying a replacement phone.
Recycling is an eco-friendly way to get rid of a water-damaged cell phone. While most smartphone owners still don’t recycle their used devices, doing so is healthier for the environment than sending them to landfills. The smartphone repair market has grown dramatically – cellphone screen repair spending alone surged to $8.3 billion in 2023, nearly tripling from $3.4 billion in 2018, according to Allstate Protection Plans research. That growth reflects just how many devices are damaged each year, which makes responsible disposal more important than ever. While you aren’t likely to get much money back recycling a damaged phone, you’re helping reduce pollution, which is a rewarding feeling.
3. Buy Used
If your phone is old or you were already due for an upgrade, it may be better to forego the repairs and buy a new device. Repairing extensive water damage and replacing multiple parts of your device can be as expensive or more so than simply replacing your cell phone.
If you’re in the market for a new cell phone but want to stay away from paying full price, shop at Gazelle. We give you used Apple, Samsung and Android phones with certified quality for a fraction of the cost of a new phone. You can choose from a wide set of pre-owned cell phones to find the best replacement.
Shop Used Cell Phones at Gazelle
If a repair isn’t in your cell phone’s future, Gazelle is the best place to buy used phones for less. We’re a respected reseller with honest and fair pricing. With our Gazelle Certified guarantee, you can be sure your new cell phone is in working order. Our 30-day returns give you security just in case your buy isn’t everything you hoped.
Browse our selection of used phones! Looking to update to the latest iPhone? Check out the Gazelle Flex program for the most affordable way to experience the latest certified preowned iPhone models – an alternative when water damage repair costs can run $269-$699 through Apple or $60-$300 at a third-party shop. Not sure which model is right for you? Read our guide to the best Apple iPhone to buy, or explore the best phones under $300 if you’re shopping on a budget.