It’s a common situation: you’re asked about your phone model, and you draw a blank. With so many smartphones on the market, from various brands and with confusing model names, it’s easy to forget or never even know exactly what kind of phone you have. But knowing your phone model is more important than you might think. Whether you’re troubleshooting technical glitches, shopping for compatible accessories, anticipating software updates, or considering trading in your device, identifying your smartphone is the first crucial step.
Fortunately, figuring out your phone model is easier than you think, and you can do it right from your home. This guide will walk you through the simplest and most effective methods to identify your smartphone and understand its specifications, including how to find your IMEI number.
Checking Your Phone Settings to Find Your Phone Type
One of the quickest ways to determine what kind of phone you have is by checking directly within your phone’s settings. The process is slightly different depending on whether you have an iPhone or an Android phone.
For iPhones (iOS Devices)
If you see the iconic Apple logo on the back of your phone, you know it’s an iPhone. But to get the precise model, iOS makes it incredibly straightforward:
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Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
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Tap on General.
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Select About.
Alt text: The “About” screen in iPhone settings, displaying device information like model name, software version, and IMEI.
This “About” page provides a wealth of information about your iPhone, including the Model Name (which tells you exactly what kind of iPhone you have) and the Model Number. You’ll also find other useful details here, such as the Software Version (your iOS version), Serial Number, and IMEI number.
For Android Phones
Android is the world’s most popular mobile operating system, powering phones from numerous manufacturers like Samsung, Google, Xiaomi, and more. While the steps are generally similar across Android devices, the exact menu names might vary slightly depending on your phone’s brand and Android version. Here’s the general way to find your phone type on Android:
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Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
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Scroll down and look for About phone. (On some Android versions, this might be under System or About device).
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Tap on About phone.
Alt text: The “About phone” screen in Android settings, showing details such as phone model, manufacturer, and Android version.
Within the “About phone” section, you should find the Manufacturer, Model Name, and Model Number of your Android phone. You’ll also see the Android Version your phone is running. If you see a model name that’s still unclear, try searching for that name online to get more specific information about your device.
Checking Your Wireless Carrier Account for Phone Information
If you’re having trouble identifying your phone through its settings, or if your phone is not functioning, your wireless carrier can be another helpful resource. Your carrier usually keeps records of the devices associated with your account, including the phone’s make, model, and serial number.
To find this information:
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Go to your wireless carrier’s website and log in to your account.
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Look for sections like Account Details, My Devices, Plan Information, or Billing. The exact location varies by carrier, but these are common areas to check.
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Within these sections, you should find a list of devices on your account, with details about each device, including your smartphone model.
Alt text: A sample “Devices” page on a wireless carrier account online portal, listing phone models and device details.
Your carrier account might also display other device information like your SIM card number or IMEI number. If you can’t find the information online, or if you’re having trouble logging in, contacting your carrier’s customer support is always a good option.
Using Your IMEI Number to Identify Your Phone Model
Every smartphone has a unique identifier called an IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number. This number can be used to find out specific details about your phone, including the make and model.
First, you need to find your IMEI number. Here are a couple of ways to do that:
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Dial *#06#: Open your phone’s dialer (as if you’re making a call) and dial
*#06#. Your IMEI number will usually pop up on the screen immediately.Alt text: A phone screen showing the dialer with *#06# entered, used to display the IMEI number.
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Check Phone Settings: As mentioned earlier, your IMEI number is also usually listed in your phone’s “About” section in settings, under both iOS and Android.
Once you have your IMEI number, you can use online IMEI lookup websites to identify your phone. Simply visit a website like IMEI.info or IMEICheck.com and enter your IMEI. These sites will provide you with detailed information about your phone, including the exact model.
Ready to Upgrade?
Now that you know how to answer the question “What Kind Of Phone Do I Have?”, you’re better equipped to manage your device, whether it’s for simple troubleshooting or considering an upgrade. Identifying your phone model is a useful skill in today’s mobile-first world.
