What Repairs Tell Us About How We Use Technology
Every year at TMT First, we repair and process over 250,000 phones, tablets and devices. From business critical smartphones to school tablets and corporate laptops, we see first-hand how technology is used and sometimes misused. Every single day.
Interestingly, the most common faults aren’t complicated technical failures. They’re everyday wear-and-tear issues that reflect how essential devices have become in our personal and professional lives.
Here are the top five repairs by volume undertaken by TMT First and what they mean for organisations managing device fleets.
1. Screen Damage
Cracked or shattered screens remain the number one repair.
With devices constantly moving between desks, bags, vehicles, classrooms, warehouses and worksites, accidental drops are inevitable. As a result, screen impact damage is still the most frequent issue we see.
What does it mean for business? Screen damage can often be repaired quickly and cost-effectively, extending device life significantly compared to replacement. It’s important to use a quality case and glass screen protector to reduce accidents.
2. Back Cover Damage
Rear glass and back housing damage has increased in recent years as manufacturers move toward glass-backed designs.
While back cover damage doesn’t always stop a device from functioning, it can compromise water resistance, expose internal components, and lower device resale or buy-back value.
What does it mean for business? Early repair protects both functionality and residual value. Plus, prevention is always better than cure, so a case and screen protector are worth investing in.
3. Liquid Ingress
Spilled coffee, rain exposure, or dropped devices in water are common causes of liquid ingress. Even small amounts of moisture can corrode circuitry over time, leading to intermittent faults that worsen if not addressed quickly.
If you do operate in an environment where water is a hazard, consider a waterproof phone and a waterproof case for those workers. Otherwise your replacement costs will be artificially high.
What does it mean for business? Fast assessment and professional repair dramatically increase recovery success rates. Water ingress can often be repaired.
4. Charging Port Faults
Frequent plugging and unplugging, dust accumulation, cable strain and general wear can all cause charging ports to loosen or fail.
In many cases, what appears to be a battery issue is actually a port problem. A wireless charger or magnetic charging clip can help prevent the issue for a small investment/
What does it mean for business? For organisations managing large fleets, this is a predictable maintenance point and not a surprise failure. But it can be addressed.
5. Battery Replacement
Battery degradation is completely normal. Lithium-ion batteries naturally decline over time, especially with heavy daily use.
Common symptoms include reduced battery life, unexpected shutdowns, and slower performance.
Replacing a battery is often one of the most cost-effective ways to extend a device’s usable lifespan by 12–24 months.
What does it mean for business? You can extend the life of your device fleet by several years, reducing your carbon impact.
Extending Device Life, Protecting Data, Reducing Costs
The top five repair categories share a common theme, devices are being used heavily and relied upon daily.
Repairing rather than replacing reduces e-waste and lowers carbon impact. Proactive maintenance reduces downtime. And secure repair protects sensitive data.
At TMT First we believe in ‘keeping technology alive for longer. So regardless of whether you need an iPhone repair, Samsung Galaxy Repair or Microsoft Surface repair, we’re here to help.