How to find out by serial number where and when a smartphone was made

What is an IMEI number and where to find it

The “Have” code is a 15-digit unique number that identifies each released smartphone, tablet, and modem. In addition to the country of origin, you can use it to find out a lot of useful information about the device: whether it has a branded warranty, presence in the “black” sheets, software version. The IMEI identifies the gadget on mobile networks. Using this code you can also get some information about unknown phone models.

Changing IMEI is a criminal offense not only in the UK, Belarus, Latvia, but also in our country. However, this does not reduce the number of fakes, which, by the way, can also be calculated using this 15-digit number.

Before you find out the country of origin by IMEI of a Nokia, Samsung, iPhone or other gadget, you need to find this code. “Have” is usually indicated on the original packaging of the device, or under its battery. You can display this code on the screen of your smartphone by typing the command: *#06#.

Rostest

Rostest is a sign that is placed on mobile phones legally imported into the country by the manufacturers themselves or their authorized distributors. This means that the device has the necessary certificate of conformity, is safe for use and can be serviced in all service centers of this manufacturer throughout Russia. Having bought a phone, for example, in Yekaterinburg, you can service or repair the device in Moscow or Volgograd and in any other city.

Structure of the name code

Depending on the year of assembly of your device, you may see an old and a new code. Let's consider both options. The old IMEI will have the following structure: 2345-0. Let's decipher it:

• 123456 - Type Approval Code. Numbers of the official standard sample of your device model.
• 78 - Final Assembly Code, number of the final assembly country. Those who are looking for how to find out the country of origin of a phone by IMEI will find it useful.
• 912345 — Serial Number, the serial code of your device.
• 0 is a check digit.

Since 2004, a new number format has been used: 00-000022-333333-1. The country of origin is also encrypted here with the seventh and eighth characters. The numbers in a slightly different form mean the same thing:

• 00-0000 - TAC, your phone's unique model number.
• 22 - FAC. We will also calculate how to find out the country of origin of a phone by IMEI using it.
• 333333 — SNR, device serial number.
• 1 - spare, check digit.

If your device was manufactured during the period when FAC was abolished (2003-2004), then the 7th-8th characters of your “name” code will be two zeros (00). In this case, you will not be able to determine the country where your phone was assembled by IMEI.

Eurotest

The concept of Eurotest appeared during the period when so-called “gray” goods began to arrive in the country. This does not mean that the technology is of poor quality. It was simply imported bypassing official supply channels. Accordingly, such a product does not have certification, and the manufacturer will not repair such products during the warranty period. It turns out that the official Eurotest mark simply does not exist. This concept was introduced in order to more eloquently explain to customers that phones have a Eurotest guarantee and are serviced by a special service center. The seller issues a guarantee, but it is tied to one single center, and it is unknown how long it will last. If you move to another city, your equipment will not be serviced there.

What does PCT mean - pros, cons and differences

1. Official warranty in Russia from the manufacturer, unlike phones that do not have such a sign. If your device is, for example, Eurotest, i.e. without the RST sign, you can only rely on the store’s guarantee. The warranty period is usually 1 year, although previously it was 2 years.

Interesting! E.A.C. If this sign is on the device, then the manufacturer’s warranty will be valid in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. PCT and EAC smartphones mean the same warranty for devices with these marks. These are “white” phones.

2. Russian language. The firmware will be exactly Russian firmware and updates will come exactly in Russian. But, usually this is only relevant for some models of Chinese devices, while the rest already have all this.

3. Instructions, buttons and other consumables in Russian.

4. Russian installed applications. Recently, PCT smartphones have been initially equipped with applications from Russian developers.

5. Price. It can be either higher or lower. For example, iPhone Rostest is usually more expensive than without it.

6. Rostest does not mean that your phone copy was tested for quality compliance. The mark is issued for a batch of goods, and not for individual units.

7. Internals - the hardware of the phone is the same in any device, except for certain models.

8.Volume settings, camera settings and others may vary slightly.

9. The charger will fit into Russian sockets and no adapter will be needed. So, usually when purchasing an iPhone without a PCT, you have to additionally look at the charger for it.

10. A non-Rostest phone may be locked to a specific operator in any country; unlocking it is expensive and not always possible. Just look at what is written on the box and read the description so as not to buy such a device.

11. Build quality. In some countries they are much tougher and the devices they produce are much better assembled than the same ones for other countries. This used to happen with iPhones, but now everything seems to be back to normal.

Interesting! The advantages are insignificant, and if you like a mobile phone abroad, you can safely buy it. It's okay if it doesn't have an RCT badge. Moreover, many devices are covered by an international warranty, allowing the device to be repaired in any country.

In any case, it is always better to first study the reviews before purchasing, because... the situation even from batch to batch in the quality of assembly can vary greatly.

Why is EUROTEST cheaper?

EUROTEST devices are 30% cheaper than ROSTEST devices due to taxes and customs duties, and for the reason that you also need to pay for the ROSTEST certificate itself. There are no more differences between the phones. EUROTEST devices are not fake, they were simply imported into the country illegally and for this reason they are cheaper.

There is no difference in the quality of the product. Both products are manufactured at an official factory. All differences lie in the delivery channels to Russia and the conditions of warranty service.

It is entirely up to you to decide whether to purchase a ROSTEST or EUROTEST device; the most important thing is not to regret your decision.

When we think about buying a smartphone, the question arises in our minds: what is the difference between ROSTEST and EUROTEST? Indeed, we very often hear the words in an electronics store: ROSTEST certificate. However, does each of us know what this means?

How to find out the country of origin of a phone by IMEI

05, 70, 02, etc. - it is the combination of these numbers that will help you see the true country of origin of your phone. It is worth noting that corporations that produce smartphones prefer to keep data about the country of final assembly secret, so all the information provided below is unofficial. In addition, (Samsung, Sony, iPhone, Nokia, etc.) encrypt states in IMEI codes under different symbols.

Here is a summary table that tells you how to find out the country of origin of a phone by IMEI (06, 01, 07 and others), and also has some ratings from direct users.

If the country code you determined by IMEI conflicts with what is written on the box or under the battery of the device, then there is a chance that the phone you are holding in your hands is a fake.

Instructions

Enter the key combination “*#06#” on the phone’s numeric keypad in phone number entry mode. A 15-digit number will be displayed on the screen, which is the IMEI.

Look at positions 7 or 8 of this issue. If the values ​​“02” or “20” are given, this means that the phone was made in the United Arab Emirates and is of rather poor quality. If the numbers are “08” or “80”, then the manufacturer is Germany. The numbers “01” or “10” indicate that the phone was made in Finland, and if “00” is written in the 7th and 8th positions of the number, this means that the phone was assembled at the manufacturer’s factory, which is very good. Devices that contain the number “13” in this position were produced in Azerbaijan and may pose a threat to the user’s health due to their extremely low quality.

Look at the device box. It should not contain any inscriptions with the names of foreign cellular operators (for example, Orange or Vodafone). The SSE and PCT logos must be pasted on the box, which are also placed under the device’s battery.

Look at the list of supported languages ​​on your phone. The Russian language must be specified. The kit should include fully translated instructions, which are printed on high-quality paper.

The warranty card provides service at a certified service center and must be printed in high quality and entirely in Russian. A list of authorized service centers that are present in large cities and regions is attached to the coupon.

The IMEI, which is written on the sticker behind the battery, must match the value that is displayed on the screen as a result of the request “*#06#”.

When buying a cell phone, not everyone thinks about the country of its manufacture. It is clear that most phones sold in Russia are made in China. But China is different from China. Large concerns for the production of household appliances and electronics are transferring their production to the territory of the Middle Kingdom due to cheap labor. But manufacturers do it legally and build factories. And the quality of assembly there is often monitored more strictly than usual, so as not to damage the reputation of the enterprise.

Alternative methods

In addition to IMEI, you can calculate the manufacturer of your smartphone by S/N - the serial number of the device. It is also indicated on the box or under the battery next to the “have” code. You can determine the final country of assembly by this number by going to one of the popular services that specialize in providing such information.

The next option is to determine the manufacturer by the number under the barcode, also printed on the original packaging of the device. In this case, you need to pay attention to the first numbers. Here is a table with the most likely codes.

That's all the methods that tell you how to find out the country of origin of a phone by IMEI, as well as using the serial number and barcode on the box. The coincidence of all results, including the name of the country of assembly indicated on the box, is a guarantee that this is a branded device.

Decoding the serial number of a Samsung phone 2001-2020 |

Every phone manufactured by Samsung has a unique serial number S/N. The serial number for Samsung phones consists of 11 characters. Using the device number, Samsung can identify the phone model, at which factory it was assembled, as well as the production date with details up to a month.

Let's look at what information can be obtained from a serial number, for example, deciphering the serial number of a Samsung Galaxy S10 phone. R58M315CL4T

• R is a product code, R Samsung assigned to phones and tablets. By the first character it is easy to determine which device family this serial number belongs to.
• 58 — code of the plant and assembly shop where the device was assembled.
• M - production year code in this case M tells us that the phone was manufactured in 2021.
• 3 — month of the year in which the device was assembled.

So from this serial number we can determine that the phone was made in March 2021.

• 15CL4T is the serial number of the phone itself; Samsung assigns the serial number and can use it to determine the technical parameters of the device, the color of the case, etc. The information is available to service centers to check devices and collect quality complaints.

Samsung phone production date table

In the table you can easily find the production date of your Samsung phone

date code in serial number

year/month JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugust SeptemberOctoberNovember December

Why might you need a serial number? You can use it to check when the phone was made. It seems to be no longer needed and no longer provides any information to the average user.

Source: https://tab-tv.com/?p=21107

What is the difference between Rostest and Eurotest?

No matter how strange it may sound, in most cases the user will not find any differences at all when purchasing a device. Why? For the simple reason that there are no obvious differences.

Okay, you say, but then why are PCT devices more expensive? The fact is that the device must undergo certification, and this, as you understand, costs money. Accordingly, part of the costs for this falls on the shoulders of buyers. In addition, in this case, the manufacturer provides its guarantee directly. In the case of Eurotest, the guarantee is given by the seller, and it is impossible to say which is better in this case.

It is noteworthy that PCT smartphones are not always more expensive than Eurotest, it is often the exact opposite - they are sold cheaper, since the manufacturer can afford to reduce the cost of its products, and sellers, whose main goal is to make a profit, cannot do this.

The Rostest device cannot be a fake, while smartphones purchased from an unknown store may be. There are indeed a lot of fakes on the market and the user cannot in all cases understand that it is a fake, especially since the latter have become very high quality.

In rare cases, there will be a difference between Rostest and Eurotest devices. For example, a fairly well-known manufacturer of mobile devices has left the Russian language in its devices only for those that are officially sold in our country. Other devices use only English and Chinese languages. Accordingly, if you buy such a smartphone in some online store, it will not have the Russian language. However, this case is a rare exception, not the rule. But be careful.

As for everyone's favorite iPhone, the only difference will be in the warranty. In addition, a “gray” iPhone may be locked to a specific operator and it is unlikely to be unlocked just like that.

Displaying IMEI on the screen

To decide on the manufacturer, first we need to figure out how to display the IMEI number of your smartphone. This is a unique identifier of any gadget that cannot be replaced or faked.

To display these numbers on the screen, you need to dial the combination *#06#. Next, one or two IMEI numbers will appear in front of you, depending on how many SIM card slots are installed in the smartphone. In addition, the unique serial number of the Samsung smartphone will be displayed.

You can also view the IMEI number and serial number if your phone model is equipped with a removable battery. To do this, you need to turn off the device, remove the battery, and in its compartment there will be a sticker with these Samsung data.

What country is the manufacturer of this or that smartphone? This question worries a large number of users. And no wonder. After all, many may not even know that the country of origin of Samsung may differ. Thus, it was previously believed that all smartphones of this brand are assembled in China, but this is not true.