One of the scariest moment for mobile users is when the phone’s display suddenly stops working. When this happens you find yourself in big trouble as you can’t make calls, you can’t send or read messages, or you can’t use UPI to pay money to vendors. In metro cities, the mobile phone is like a life line, and in that case if mobile display went black then it could be life threatening situation. I know about this experience as my Pixel 6a display failed in the middle of work when traveling back to home. The screen of my phone was unresponsive, there were only green, red or blue flash lights, and the display was getting darker and darker as time passed.
I purchased Pixel 6a in July 2023 at price of Rs 27,999. Everything was okay… but recently after the Android 16 update in July 2025, the screen of my Pixel 6a went black. Initially I thought it is a normal glitch but later I found it is not a normal tech problem, I came to know the screen of this phone gone and need to change. So from here, I started looking for original display and this guide will explain in-detail how by making the right choice in the smartphone repair market can not only save money, but also increase the life of the phone.
What really happened?
I got notification on my phone that Android 16 update is available for Pixel 6a. That morning I installed the Android 16 update via wi-fi. The phone was working fine till the evening, but suddenly at night the RGB lights started blinking on the display and then the screen went completely black. Surprisingly, the phone was on – notification sounds were coming, calls could also come, but the screen had gone completely black.
Note: I would like to point, the phone didn’t fell – the display issue appeared without any physical damage.
What options are left after the warranty expires?
Since I bought this phone in 2023, the 1-year manufacturer warranty had expired. I had three options:
- Getting the original display replaced from a Google Authorized Service Centre.
- Getting a display from the local market claiming to be “original” or refurbished.
- Choosing a cheaper option of a non-branded copy display, same in size but lacks quality!
Google Service Centre Experience
The Google Authorized Service Centre in Saket, Delhi quoted ₹8,100 (display + labour charges). They clarified that it would be a 100% original AMOLED panel with a 1-month warranty. However, I found it a bit expensive as online research showed that the actual price of a Pixel 6a display should be between ₹5,100 and ₹6,500. So I also searched for cheaper option in Delhi and I visited local mobile repair shops in Nehru Place and Lajpat Nagar!
The truth about the local market in Nehru Place
Nehru Place in Delhi is a big hub for mobile spare parts. Many mobile shopkeepers here claimed to install “original displays” for ₹5,800 to ₹6,500. But when I inquired deeper, I found out:
- Some were selling refurbished displays imported from China in the name of “original”
- Some clearly admitted that it was a “first class copy” that looked exactly like the original
- Only 2-3 shops offered genuine original displays, but their price was around ₹7,000
₹7,000 is okay, but I didn’t go there because trust is a big deal. I don’t know any genuine shop, so I decided to give it at a known shop.
How did I get a better deal?
I contacted a trusted mobile repair shop in Lajpat Nagar through a friend of mine. They offered a package of:
- New original display (with Google box) for ₹6,200
- Labour charges of ₹900
- 1 year warranty (without physical damage)
In total, I got the genuine original display of Pixel 6a for ₹7,100, which was ₹1,000 cheaper than the Google service centre. I finally got brand new screen display for my phone and saved ₹1,000.
Why can non-branded displays be dangerous?
Some shopkeepers in Nehru Place were willing to put up “Chinese quality” displays for ₹3,500. But according to my research:
- These displays do not support HDR
- Color accuracy is only 60-70%
- Touch response is delayed by 0.5 to 1 second
- Burn-in or faded pixels start appearing after 6 to 8 months
- The display looks cheap and it spoils the look of the overall product.
Special tips for users from smaller cities
If you live in tier-2/tier-3 cities:
- Order the original display from online stores (like B2B spare parts websites) (₹5,100-₹5,800)
- Get it installed by a local technician for ₹300-₹500
- Total cost: ₹5,600-₹6,300 (₹800-₹1,500 cheaper than in bigger cities)
Can a software update actually damage the display?
In my case, the technician told me that the Android 16 update had introduced some bugs in the display driver, which caused the power management system of the OLED panel to fail. However, this problem was seen only in some units and mine was one among them. If this happens to you too, then it means its time for the screen replacement and it will cost you around Rs 6000 to 7000.
Final tips
Well, display problems are not common in Pixel series phones like Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 8, but if this happens to you too, then keep the following points in your mind – these can save your time, money, and product value!
✔️ Never opt for a cheap or non-branded display
✔️ Always ask for a warranty of at least 6 months
✔️ Check the box and serial number of the display before repair
✔️ Online order + local installation is the most economical way in small cities or towns
✔️ Refurbished Pixel 6a display is a smart choice as it is original + less expensive.
My experience proves that with a little extra effort and research, you can not only get good quality, but also save a lot of money. If you are also facing a similar problem then definitely try these tips!
. Now I got brand new with 1 year warranty at ₹7100!){kind=link}