On the Galaxy A range, nine models have a glass back: the A26, A27, A35, A36, A37, A54, A55, A56 and A57. The rest, including every model from 2021 and earlier, have plastic backs. A cracked glass back is worth fixing soon: it sheds sharp splinters and lets dust in. A genuine Samsung back replacement costs £39 to £59 by post, depending on the model.
Glass or plastic: every model
Glass back
- Galaxy A26: Gorilla Glass Victus+. £49.
- Galaxy A27: Gorilla Glass Victus+. £49.
- Galaxy A35: glass. £49.
- Galaxy A36: Gorilla Glass Victus+. £49.
- Galaxy A37: Gorilla Glass Victus+. £49.
- Galaxy A54: glass. £49.
- Galaxy A55: glass, in an aluminium frame. £59.
- Galaxy A56: glass, in an aluminium frame. £49.
- Galaxy A57: Gorilla Glass Victus+, in an aluminium frame. £59.
Plastic back
- Galaxy A05s, A12, A13, A14, A15, A16, A17, A22, A23, A25 and A32: £39.
- Galaxy A33, A34, A51, A52, A52s, A53, A71 and A72: £49.
It isn't always the dearer phones that have glass: the budget A26 has a glass back, while the mid-range A33, A34 and A53 are plastic. So are the A51, A52, A52s, A71 and A72, though some have a glossy finish that looks like glass. Plenty of repair sites call every Samsung back "back glass", which is wrong for half the range.
Why a cracked back is worth fixing
- Splinters and sharp edges. Cracked glass sheds tiny shards that catch fingers and pockets.
- Dust and grit get in around the camera and the edges.
- Water resistance on water-resistant models is already compromised once the back is cracked.
- It spreads. A small crack in glass tends to grow with every knock.
A cracked plastic back is less urgent, but a split can open up and let grit in, and a back that's lifting rather than cracked is a different problem.
A back that's lifting, not cracked
If the back is lifting away from the phone or bulging, the battery may be swelling underneath. Don't press it back down, stop charging the phone, and contact me before posting it. A33 and A34 owners in particular have reported backs lifting, often because of the battery, and a lot of A52s owners have reported the back coming away from the frame.
What a back replacement involves
The back is glued to the frame on most models, and clipped on the A13 and A14. I warm the old back so the adhesive releases, remove it (carefully, if it's broken glass), clean the old adhesive off the frame, fit a genuine Samsung back in your phone's colour and seal it with new adhesive. On water-resistant models, I can't promise the original water resistance afterwards, even with new adhesive, so treat the phone as not water-resistant after any repair.
Samsung doesn't publish a price for back replacements; it quotes after inspection.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Galaxy A54 have a glass back?
Yes. The A54 was the first A5x model with a glass back. The A51, A52, A52s and A53 before it were all plastic.
Is the Galaxy A16 back glass?
No. The A16 has a plastic back, so a replacement back cover is £39.
Can I just put a case over a cracked back?
A case stops splinters reaching your hands, but dust still gets in, cracks keep spreading, and the phone isn't water-resistant with a broken back. It's a stopgap, not a fix.
Will a new back be the same colour?
Yes. I fit a genuine Samsung back in your phone's colour, so please give the colour when you book.
