**What does Verizon check to determine a Samsung device's compatibility with certain Verizon features regardless of firmware?** To determine a Samsung device's compatibility with certain Verizon features regardless of firmware, Verizon checks *the model code.* > **What does a Verizon-branded Samsung phone have in the model code?** > In the model code, a Verizon-branded Samsung phone has *VZW.* > > **Does flashing different firmware to a Samsung device change the model code or the IMEI?** > *No*, flashing different firmware to a Samsung device doesn't change the model code or the IMEI.