iPhone Camera Replacement Guide UK: Front, Rear and Lens Glass Explained

Short answer: "camera replacement" actually covers three completely different parts at three very different price points — a cracked rear lens glass cover (from around £3.47), a failed rear camera module with blurry photos or no autofocus (from around £11.93), and a front (selfie) camera module (from around £5.33). Getting this right before you order saves you from buying the wrong £30-70 part when the actual fault is a £3.50 lens cover.

The Three Different iPhone Camera Parts (Don't Confuse Them)

1. Back camera lens glass — the small glass cover(s) over the rear camera lenses, often mounted in a metal plate. This is what cracks when you drop your phone on a hard corner and the glass over the lens shatters while the camera underneath still works. It's the cheapest part in this guide by a wide margin.

2. Rear camera module — the actual lens, sensor, and flex cable assembly behind the glass. This fails when you get blurry photos, a completely black camera preview, failed autofocus, or an "unable to activate camera" error that doesn't resolve after a restart.

3. Front (selfie) camera module — the same category of part, but for the front-facing camera, TrueDepth sensors, and Face ID components on newer models.

How to Tell Which One You Need

Back Camera Lens Glass Replacement — Cost by Model (UK)

If your photos still look fine when you can angle the camera to avoid the crack, this cheap fix is very likely all you need — don't pay for a full module unnecessarily.

Rear Camera Module Replacement — Cost by Model (UK)

Rear camera modules get more expensive on Pro-tier and newer models because they pack more sensors (ultrawide, telephoto, LiDAR on some Pro models) into a single assembly — a genuine hardware complexity difference, not just brand markup.

Front (Selfie) Camera Module Replacement — Cost by Model (UK)

A Word of Caution on Camera Repairs and Face ID

On iPhone models with Face ID, the front camera assembly is paired with the TrueDepth sensor system during manufacturing. Replacing the front camera module can, on some models and repair approaches, affect Face ID functionality unless the repair is done carefully with the original components transferred correctly. If Face ID matters to you, factor this into whether you attempt the repair yourself or have it done by an experienced technician.

Related Repairs

A cracked rear lens glass often happens in the same drop that damages a screen — worth checking both while you're already ordering parts. See our guide on what else a cracked screen can damage, or browse the iPhone Screen Replacement Parts collection if the display needs attention too.

FAQ

How do I know if I need a new iPhone camera lens or the whole camera module?
If the glass is visibly cracked but photos still look normal, you likely only need the lens glass cover. If photos are blurry or black with no visible glass damage, you need the full camera module.

How much does it cost to replace an iPhone rear camera lens glass?
Around £3.47 to £3.60 for most models, by far the cheapest camera-related repair.

Why is a rear camera module more expensive on newer iPhones?
Pro-tier and newer models pack more sensors into a single camera assembly, a genuine hardware complexity increase.

Can replacing my iPhone's front camera break Face ID?
It can, on Face ID-equipped models, if the TrueDepth sensor components aren't handled correctly during the repair.

My iPhone camera shows a black screen — what part do I need?
This points to a failed rear camera module, not just a cracked lens.

Prices correct as of August 2026 and subject to change. Supreme Phone Parts Ltd — UK-based wholesale supplier of mobile phone repair parts, Manchester. www.supremephoneparts.com