Original vs Third-Party Spare Parts: Which Is Better?

One of the most common questions we get: "Will you use original parts?" It's a great question, and the answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no.

What Are "Original" Parts?

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts are made by or for the phone's manufacturer — for example, an Apple-certified screen for an iPhone. They're built to exact specifications and are the gold standard for quality.

What Are Third-Party Parts?

Third-party parts are manufactured by independent companies. They vary enormously in quality — some are nearly indistinguishable from OEM, while others are noticeably inferior.

Pros of OEM Parts - Perfect fit and finish - Maintains original color accuracy, brightness, and touch sensitivity - Less likely to fail prematurely - Some maintain manufacturer warranty (for authorized repair centers)

Cons of OEM Parts - Significantly more expensive - Sometimes harder to source, especially for older models

Pros of Quality Third-Party Parts - More affordable — sometimes 40–60% cheaper - Widely available for all models - For many repairs (batteries, charging ports, back glass), the difference is minimal

Cons of Low-Quality Third-Party Parts - Shorter lifespan - Screens may look washed out or have poor touch response - Batteries can swell or drain faster

Our Approach at Nextgen

We stock a range of parts and will always tell you exactly what we're using. For screens, we recommend OEM or high-grade aftermarket. For batteries, we use OEM-equivalent cells. We'll never use a part we wouldn't put in our own phone — and we back every repair with a 90-day warranty.