easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: A customer brings in a smartphone with a cracked…
A customer brings in a smartphone with a cracked glass digitizer that still responds to touch, but the LCD underneath is intact. They want the cheapest repair that restores full functionality. Which component should you replace?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misconception that a cracked digitizer always requires full screen assembly replacement, but the key is that if touch still works and the LCD is intact, a digitizer-only replacement is the cheapest functional repair.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Replace only the digitizer.
The digitizer (touch layer) is the only damaged component; the LCD is intact and the touch function still works. Replacing only the digitizer restores full functionality at the lowest cost, as it avoids the expense of replacing the undamaged LCD panel.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Replace the entire screen assembly (LCD + digitizer).
Why it's wrong here
While replacing the entire screen assembly would undoubtedly resolve the cracked digitizer, it represents an inefficient and more costly solution when only the digitizer component is damaged. The Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel is still fully functional, meaning its image output is unaffected. Replacing a working LCD unnecessarily increases repair expenses and contributes to electronic waste, making it an economically unsound choice for this specific issue.
- ✗
Replace only the LCD panel.
Why it's wrong here
Replacing only the LCD panel would not resolve the customer's reported issue. The LCD is solely responsible for displaying the image, and the problem described is a cracked digitizer, which specifically handles touch input. Since the LCD is intact and functioning correctly, replacing it would be a misdiagnosis and would leave the cracked, non-responsive digitizer unaddressed, failing to restore the essential touch functionality.
- ✓
Replace only the digitizer.
Why this is correct
The digitizer is the specific component responsible for detecting touch input and is typically a distinct layer positioned above the LCD. Since the smartphone has a cracked screen but the display itself is still fully functional, only the digitizer requires replacement. This targeted repair directly addresses the damaged touch-sensitive layer, restoring full touch functionality at the most cost-effective price point, avoiding unnecessary replacement of the working LCD.
- ✗
Apply a glass screen protector and ignore the crack.
Why it's wrong here
Applying a glass screen protector would only offer a temporary, cosmetic cover for the visible crack and would not repair the underlying damaged digitizer. The crack in the digitizer would still impair or completely prevent touch input, rendering the device partially unusable and frustrating for the customer. Furthermore, a cracked screen can pose a safety hazard due to sharp edges and potential for further damage, which a screen protector does not fully mitigate.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every 220-1201 question from scratch — 972 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on 220-1201
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A user brings in a smartphone with a cracked screen that is still responsive to touch. The device is an older model, and the user wants the screen replaced rather than buying a new phone. After powering off the device and removing the SIM and SD cards, what is the next step in the screen replacement process?
easy- A.Use a spudger to pry the screen off starting from the bottom.
- ✓ B.Apply heat to the edges of the screen to soften the adhesive.
- C.Remove the battery using a plastic pry tool.
- D.Insert a guitar pick under the screen to separate it from the frame.
Why B: Applying heat to the edges of the screen softens the adhesive that secures the display to the frame, which is a critical step before any prying action. On older smartphone models, the screen is typically bonded with a strong adhesive that can crack the glass further or damage the LCD if pried without softening. This step reduces the risk of breaking the digitizer or LCD during removal.
Variation 2. A technician is repairing a tablet that has a cracked digitizer. The LCD panel is intact and displays correctly. After replacing the digitizer, the touch input is unresponsive. What is the most likely oversight?
hard- A.The digitizer is not compatible with the tablet model.
- ✓ B.The digitizer flex cable is not fully seated in the connector.
- C.The LCD panel was damaged during the repair.
- D.The tablet's touch controller needs to be calibrated.
Why B: The digitizer flex cable must be fully seated and locked into its connector on the tablet's mainboard to establish electrical continuity for touch signals. If the cable is loose or not properly inserted, the touch controller cannot communicate with the digitizer, resulting in a completely unresponsive touch input despite the LCD display functioning correctly.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.