Shattered Nexus 5 Screen - Options?

[egernant]

Shattered my screen, out of warranty, looking for options. I considered buying a Nexus 6 but at this point think I'd rather wait until the Nexus 7(?) that should release this coming fall. Feels late to buy into the N6 at this point, and I'm not 100% sold on the size. Here are the options I've thought of - let me know if there are others I should consider or if one of these is likely the best option.

- Man up and get the Nexus 6 ($650)
- Buy an HTC One M7 TODAY from eBay ($150 refurbished 32GB)
- Buy a Moto G ($180)
- Buy a Moto E ($150 w/ LTE)
- Buy something used on Swappa (thoughts?)
- Fix Nexus 5 (no idea the cost, any ideas?)

Note that I am going abroad to Italy and Switzerland in June and need a phone that I can toss a SIM card into and go.

Help!

 

[Omar Days]

I'd go with the moto e or g for the time being, and wait it out until the new nexus comes out in the winter.

 

[jj14x]

Depends on how handy you are. From what I've read, changing the N5 screen+digitizer is not too hard. Look up the youtube videos and other articles that outline how to do this, and if you feel like trying it, it would be the cheapest option ($50 or so)
Make sure you get the screen+digitzer+housing kit - else, you'll have to deal with issues separating those out from existing broken screen.

One other thing - if you bought the phone from Google Play store, and you are in the US, ask them if they can help. I've heard of many people getting a one time free replacement from Google (even if they were out of warranty - screens are anyway never covered in manufacturer warranty)

 

[PhoenixofMT]

... From what I've read, changing the N5 screen+digitizer is not too hard. ...

^This, though it might be as much as $70. The hardest part is prying the battery off the adhesive pad they used to stick it to the case, and then the fact that you have to remove literally every other part of the phone to build back onto the new screen (not hard, but a bit tedious.) Throw in a case tool and a #00 screwdriver if you don't have one.
And do make sure and get the right screen assembly. It will probably mention a black or silver "mesh" in the description.

 

[egernant]

Thanks guys, very helpful. The more I look into it, the more I'm convinced that I want a reliable Nexus phone as a backup to use once I finally do upgrade this Fall. Will be good for nights out or other times where I'd prefer not to risk my "good" phone. In that case, my options are as follows:

- Repair the Nexus 5 (risk is that it might not work right, headache to make sure I have all appropriate tools/glue)
- Buy a used Nexus 5 ($200, then sell the broken Nexus 5 for $100 or so on eBay)
- Buy a used Nexus 4 ($100, then sell the broken Nexus 5 for $100 or so on eBay)

Gotta be honest, I'm leaning the N4 route since I never used that phone and I found one on Swappa in great condition 16GB for $120 that comes with the official Nexus wireless charger that I've had my eye on for a while now. Should I just pull the trigger there? Will I struggle with the downgrade? Will the unlocked N4 work abroad just fine?