Sony Ericsson:
look for a code that has the format xxWxx
where x is a number.
the first 2 digits is the year while the last 2 is the week of that year its been made.
my T610 says: 03W38 this means that its been made on the 38th week of 2003.
Motorolla:
Look for the second serial number that is usually 10 digits. it usually start like D21REC... or C67.... or D54....
The fifth char is the year while the 6th is the month. refer to the ff table:
5th char:
A = 2000
B = 2001
C = 2002
D = 2003
E = 2004
F = 2005
6th char:
AB = Jan
CD = Feb
EF = Mar and so on...
my V3 says D54RES0LLF so its made sometime October last year.
* you can look at this code at the back of your phone below the battery.
Apparently for nokias, you can only check it at their website.
I got more for other brands but i got tired typing ill post it soon