Define OEM: Service for iPhone

What Is the Difference Between OEM and Aftermarket iPhone Parts?

When your iPhone busts, you have two options for repair, but which one should you choose?

After years of carefully taking care of your iPhone, it’s finally reaching the end of its lifespan. Sometimes, the battery won’t stay charged for long. Other times, the buttons aren’t working the way they should. Either way, you still want another few years with your phone, and you’re determined to bring it back to life.

When you reach the repair store, you’re confronted with a difficult question: OEM or aftermarket parts? But, what do these terms mean?

OEM vs. Aftermarket Parts: What’s the Difference?

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts are iPhone parts made by Apple itself. However, they’re not necessarily from Apple directly. Many third-party iPhone repair companies acquire OEM parts salvaged from second-hand iPhones.

Meanwhile, companies outside of Apple produce aftermarket parts, which are made to work with iPhone devices.

One of the primary advantages of using OEM parts is the higher likelihood of compatibility and superior fit. However, just because they’re manufactured by Apple, it doesn’t mean they’re perfect for your phone. Furthermore, since Apple does not authorize the sales of OEM parts, there’s no quality control on the ones available on the market today.

Aftermarket parts made by other companies are widely available because Apple refuses to sell brand new, official parts. Some of the most commonly sold aftermarket parts are LCD screens, which are often one of the first parts of an iPhone to break.

Surprisingly, aftermarket doesn’t necessarily mean bad quality. On the contrary, among aftermarket producers, some brands have built a solid reputation of being almost indistinguishable from non-Apple trained technicians.

When done right, both OEM and aftermarket parts can lead to a functional iPhone. However, whether or not they remain working for long is another story. Unless you go to an Apple authorized repair center, third-party parts are never guaranteed to work up optimally for long.