How Old Is My Phone? Check Your iPhone & Android Age Easily
Here’s a simple guide to understanding your phone’s age, based on four key dates:
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Release Date: When the phone model was launched. This shows how modern the technology is, whether it still gets updates, and its resale value.
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Manufacturing Date: When your specific phone was made. Later manufacturing dates often mean a longer lifespan and sometimes minor updates.
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Purchase Date: The day you bought the phone. This usually marks the start of your warranty and is useful for repairs or resale.
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Activation Date: When the phone was first used with a SIM card. Some warranties may depend on this date.
We’ll explore these dates on more detail in this article!
How To Find Your Phone's release Date
The release date is the easiest way to check how old your phone is. It tells you how up-to-date its technology is. Since tech changes fast, older phones might not support new apps or updates. If your phone is several years old, it could be time to upgrade.
Online Research
To find your phone’s release date, search your model name online with “release date.” Include your country in the search (e.g. “Apple iPhone 15 Pro UK“) for accurate results, as names and dates can vary by region.Â
How To Find Your Phone's Manufacturing Date (MFD)
The manufacturing date (MFD) is when your specific phone was made. This could be months or years after the model’s release, depending on demand and production schedules. It helps answer, “How old is my phone?” and might explain differences in features, as newer batches may include updates or fixes.
Why does it matter?
- Longevity: A recently built phone may last longer, as electronic components age over time, even if unused.
- Warranties: Some warranties depend on the MFD, so it’s useful for claims.
You can usually find the MFD on the phone’s box, settings, or with an online lookup of the serial number.
Checking the Original Box
If you still have the original packaging that your phone came in, you might be in luck. Many phone brands include the manufacturing date on the white sticker, or printed onto the box.
If not, the box might display other information such as the manufacturer codes that can be used to figure out the manufacturing date.
Checking the Serial Number (For iPhone)
For iPhones, you can find out how old is my iphone is by checking the serial number, which holds some hidden details about when it was made. To find the serial number, go to the “About” section in your phone’s “General” settings.
- First 3 characters: Show the factory and country where your iPhone was made.
- 4th character: Tells the year and half of the year it was made (e.g., “C” = second half of 2010, “D” = first half of 2011).
- 5th character: Indicates the week of the year it was made (1-52).
The rest of the code usually relates to the model, colour, and storage capacity of your iPhone.
Phone's Settings (For Some Android Models)
Some Android phones display the manufacturing date directly in the settings. You can usually find this information under “About Phone” or similar sections. The exact path can vary between models and OS versions, so you might need to do a bit of hunting.
Other phones display manufacturing codes in the settings menu. For a Samsung phone, the fourth and fifth digits of this number tell you the year and month of manufacture. Look at the fourth character in the serial number to find out the year the phone was manufactured. Check your serial number against the below codes:
The fifth character represents the month, with January-September represented by the numbers 1-9, then October, November and December represented by A, B and C.
Using Special Codes (For Android)
Some Android devices allow access to the manufacturing date via special codes. These codes can be input in the phone app like you’re dialling a phone number. Codes differ between devices, but here are a few that you can try:
- #0000#
- #197328640#
- ##197328640##
Using an App
Phone info apps can easily show you your phone’s manufacturing date in a simple way by reading the information directly from your device. If you have an Android phone, just search for “phone info app” on the Google Play Store to find and download a suitable app that will do this for you.
Using The Phone's IMEI Number
The International Mobile Equipment Identity number, or IMEI, is a special code that’s unique to your mobile phone. It’s like your phone’s fingerprint.
Since it’s created by the phone manufacturer, you can use your IMEI number to find out more details about your phone, like when it was made.
Finding The Purchase Date
Knowing how old your phone is can also be really helpful when figuring out if your device is still covered by a warranty. At The Big Phone Store, we offer a 12-month warranty (upgradable to 24 months) on almost all of our devices, which starts from the moment you get your phone.
If you need repairs or replacements, knowing when you purchased your device helps to determine if your phone is still under warranty.
Sales Receipt or Invoice
The easiest way to find your phone’s purchase date is to check the sales receipt or invoice you got when you bought it. If you bought it online, look in your email for the purchase confirmation—it’ll have the same details as a paper receipt.
Instantly Check How Much Your Old Phone Is Worth
Why You Should Use The Big Phone Store
The Big Phone Store offers a trusted and eco-friendly way to buy and sell your old phone. With competitive prices, a wide range of refurbished devices, and a commitment to sustainability, you can save money while reducing e-waste.
Enjoy a hassle-free experience with fast, secure payments and reliable customer service, making it the smart choice for phone recycling!
