Foldable phones are at the forefront of mobile technology and are typically the most expensive devices in their respective ranges. So it’s no surprise that a repair for this sophisticated screen costs a pretty penny. But according to a new vendor, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s main display costs a whopping US$1,199.99. This represents two thirds of the price of the entire device.
And keep in mind that this is just for the part, sold via the DIY enthusiasts at iFixit. Repair specialists have been selling official OEM parts for Google phones for years, but this example is nothing short of stunning. That’s $300 more than last year’s equivalent for the original Pixel Fold, and enough to buy a Pixel 9 Pro XL with 512GB of storage brand new. The iPhone 16 Pro Max and Galaxy S24+ also slip under this price.
Comparisons are tricky because foldable phones still represent only a tiny portion of the smartphone user base. But I found a replacement screen for the last-gen Galaxy Z Fold 5 for around $540 USD, and one for the Oppo Find N3 for less than $400 – okay, with no guarantee that these parts are new . A much more dramatic comparison comes directly from Samsung, which will provide a full Z Fold 6 interior screen replacement service for “just” $549. Expensive, sure, but considering the price of the phone, the rarity of the part, and the expertise needed to repair it, it seems justifiable.
Next to Google’s apparent price for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s main screen, provided without a repair and relying on the end user for the extremely delicate replacement process is a good deal. (I assume the vast majority of the price is Google’s OEM fees, not iFixit’s profit margin). Google doesn’t say how much out-of-warranty repairs will cost. It’s a good thing that these foldable phones protect their interior screens by design, I guess.
The rest of the replacement parts for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold on the iFixit store are much more reasonable, like a rear housing for $130. The rear camera module is considerably more expensive at $257 (with a selection of iFixit tools along for the ride), but that’s also understandable, considering the amount of tech packed into high-end mobile cameras.
Imagining myself with a $1,200 bill for an $1,800 phone, I think I’d probably call it a wash and settle for a perfectly usable Pixel A for the next few years. (Although it’s not much more useful in the literal sense). If I wanted to keep my fancy Pixel folder, I might be tempted to ask for an extended warranty just in case.
I might wonder if selling more of these extended warranties was intended to increase the price of the phone’s most fragile component. Hmm. Google Preferred Care costs $15 per month if you’re wondering.
