How to Know If Your Phone Is Branded
Finding out whether you have a branded phone -- one which has a modified version of the operating system put there by your phone operator -- is possible, but not always easy. That's because there is no one way to find out. Rather, several methods might be employed to try to find out if your phone is branded. A branded phone is often also called a "locked" phone because the phone is unable to be used with another operator, even though you switch the SIM card.
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Instructions
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Look at the front and back of your cellular phone. Any logo from any carrier such as AT&T or Verizon indicates that your phone is branded. Remember, look for a carrier logo, not a manufacturer logo such as Nokia or Motorola.
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Update the firmware of your phone. Visit your phone manufacturer's website and follow the instructions for updating your phone's firmware. If the phone does not allow you to update your firmware even though a firmware update is available, you most likely have a branded phone.
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Check your phone's feature set against the feature set mentioned on the website for your phone's maker. For example, if you have a phone from Nokia, look up the model and check whether all the features mentioned are available on your phone. If features are not available on your phone, your phone is likely branded.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are still not sure whether your phone is branded, you can borrow a SIM card from a friend who uses a different mobile phone carrier. Try inserting it into your phone. In most cases, a branded phone will refuse to operate since it is locked to the carrier that you purchased it from.
You also can visit the store where you bought the phone and ask if it is branded. The store employees likely will know whether or not the phones they sell have been modified from the original design intended by the manufacturer.
When attempting to update your phone's firmware, it is best to go only far enough to find out if the firmware can be updated. This will prevent potential damage to your phone.
