vB Easy Archive - I have a W580i and am thinking of debranding it...

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I have a W580i and am thinking of debranding it...
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Posted by: verT

Now I have read that debranding voids warranty. Is there a way to rebrand your phone if there are any issues down the road? Does Rogers (my carrier) really look that hard at a phone in for service? Is there any drawbacks to debranding that I should be aware of other than the warranty issue like carrier enabled features that would be unavailable?

I am sure you've heard most of these questions before, I just want to be aware of all potential problems before flashing my phone.

Thanks...

Posted by: negativesaucer

I ordered this phone today (free+free next day shipping+free bluetooth headset) branded for at&t, and at&t customer and warranty service told me that reflashing and unbranding the phone will not void the warranty. they will also give you the unlock code at any time, whereas some carriers make you wait 90 days.

I know at&t isnt rogers, but give them a call and see what their policy is.

good luck

Posted by: echav

where did you order from?

Posted by: darkninja

I rarely buy a branded SE but i did get my w580i from at&t and unbranded it as soon as i got it. Branded firmware is too restricted. They take out the ability to use the flash themes, and have weird restrictions on ringtone sizes. As for voiding the warranty... that is kind of a gray area. Since the only way to debrand the phone is through 3rd party services I'm pretty sure that it voids the warranty. And even if SE does agree to take the phone in under warranty when you get it back it will more than likely be branded again.

If you are worried about the warranty either buy the unlocked/unbranded version from a reliable retailer in your area that puts the IMEI number on the receipt, or live with the carrier branding.

Posted by: Pen2theDu

What do you lose by debranding it? I just got mine from at&t and it didn't come with much so I would like to debrand it to reveal all the features but I don't want to lose some of things AT&T provided like the music id, and other applications? I also do not want to void my warranty considering it is a brand new phone.

Does the benefit of debranding outweigh the loss?

Posted by: [droc]

to OP I got rid of Rogers' nonsense firmware. When I had a problem I brought it in unbranded and all, they didn't know.
However I did get it back with Rogers software. lol

Posted by: kkeddy

how did u get rid of the rogers firmware for w580 , through the websites? is it possible to ask for a unlock code?

Posted by: zarquon27

I have wondered about this myself. I recently got a W580i through AT&T, and will probably debrand it soon. Most of the restrictions don't bother me so much, but I absolutely HATE the generic menu icons AT&T insists on putting on all their phones; the original SE icons are much better. They never used to do this, my Z520a I've had for a couple of years had (mostly) intact SE icons. As to the warranty issues, I wonder if it's ever been put to the test. I mean, say you brought the phone back with, for instance, the infamous cracked key problem; would they actually be able to say, with a straight face, "I'm sorry sir, but I see you're running the original, manufacturer intended firmware, and not the hacked AT&T version. Clearly this is why your keys cracked, sorry, no warranty for you."

Posted by: negativesaucer

i got my grey w580i for free from wirefly, with 2 year contract with att. I also received all the cables, and a nice bluetooth earpiece for free. I reflashed with wotans, but not before talking to att about it. customer service and the warranty center both told me that they wouldn't hassle me for reflashing the phone.

mine is w38, carbon grey.

Posted by: Pen2theDu

so AT&T doesn't mind if you debrand the phone and doing so won't affect your warranty?

Posted by: TitanSilber ZHP

I debranded mine last night, LOVE IT. I doubt they'll void the harware warranty for doing it though.

Quick question to anyone: After debranding, the +/- keys on the side no longer turn the volume up or down, they just show phone information. Is there a way to change this/earpiece volume?

Posted by: [droc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanSilber ZHP

I debranded mine last night, LOVE IT. I doubt they'll void the harware warranty for doing it though.

Quick question to anyone: After debranding, the +/- keys on the side no longer turn the volume up or down, they just show phone information. Is there a way to change this/earpiece volume?

they show the phone information when you're at your home screen(Menu/Calls@bottom)
in a call and while listening to music their function still remains.

Posted by: TitanSilber ZHP

Quote:

Originally Posted by [droc]

they show the phone information when you're at your home screen(Menu/Calls@bottom)
in a call and while listening to music their function still remains.

Yea, I figured that out, sorry for the dumb question.

Posted by: Pen2theDu

whats the difference in the 3 wotan servers for the w580i?
R6CA001 CID52
R6BC002 CID52
R6BA020 CID52

anyone have some sort of before and after video to show the differences?

Posted by: TitanSilber ZHP

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pen2theDu

whats the difference in the 3 wotan servers for the w580i?
R6CA001 CID52
R6BC002 CID52
R6BA020 CID52

anyone have some sort of before and after video to show the differences?

Wotan tells you that the "upper" versions are the newer ones. I choose the latest non "Orange" firmware. Generic America_2, I believe was what I chose.