Suppliers use these words loosely, and the same word can mean different things from different sellers. This is how we use them, and what to ask before you buy.
Original / genuine (pulled)
Made by the device manufacturer and taken out of another device. Quality is the same as factory, but it’s used: check for scratches, dead pixels, burn-in on OLED, and bent or torn flex cables.
Service pack
New, original parts that the manufacturer supplies to its service network, usually packed in the manufacturer’s service packaging. Samsung screens are the best-known example; these often come as a complete assembly with the frame. When a seller says “service pack”, ask whether it’s really from the manufacturer’s service channel.
Aftermarket
Made by a third party. Quality ranges from very good to very bad, and for screens the technology can be different from the original:
- OLED phones can get aftermarket hard OLED, soft OLED or incell LCD screens. Incell LCD is the cheapest. It’s usually thicker, uses more power, has different colours and viewing angles, and can’t do things that need the OLED panel.
- Batteries: check the real capacity and the cell manufacturer, not only the label.
Aftermarket isn’t automatically bad. Tell your customer what they’re getting.
Refurbished
Usually an original panel with new glass, OCA and sometimes a new polarizer or frame (the work done in Screen Refurbishing). A good refurb is very close to original. A bad one has dust, bubbles, poor touch or yellow tint.
“OEM”
Strictly it means the original equipment manufacturer, but many sellers use “OEM” for good-quality aftermarket. Always ask which one they mean.
Things that matter beyond the grade
- Serialized parts. On recent iPhones, screens, batteries, cameras and Face ID/Touch ID are paired to the logic board. A non-genuine or unpaired part may show a message, lose True Tone or battery health, or not work at all. Apple’s own repair process can pair genuine parts.
- Return policy. Test every part before you close the device.
If you have a question about a specific part, start a topic with the “Part question” form. For REPART parts, use REPART.