Can anyone help me out here? My son wants me to get him a Sony Ericsson W580i for his birthday. I am living in Republic of Ireland so I will be getting it on the Meteor network. Now he is talking to me about getting it unlocked and debranded and updating the firmware. To be honest, im not 100% sure what he is on about. I know about updating firmware as I have often done it for computer parts like dvd burners etc. And im pretty sure that unlocking the phone is usually done to make the phone free to use any networks sim card. But what on earth is debranding and how difficult is it to do?? Plus what are the benefits and downsides (if any) of doing this debranding thing. Any help would be really appreciated Regards Ghost
W580i is pretty good, I'm really impressed with it so far. Debranding the phone is very easy, there are tutorial videos on you tube, and you can easily find the guides and files you need by using google. It only took me about 7 minutes. The purpose for debranding a phone is because sometimes providers will lockout certain features from cell phones by using their own branded firmware. Like out here in the states, ATT locks out the use of MP3 for tingtone in their branded firmware. Basically, debranding will let you use the phone to its full potential without any restrictions imposed by the service provider. I got my phone unlocked already. You can pay for it to be done, doesn't cost too much, or just ask your provider to unlock it for you after you've been with them for a while.
Thanks for the info ftdn. He seems happy enough with the features that he has got with the phone for now and he seems to be able to use an mp3 as his ringtone. So maybe his phone does not have to many restrictions if any at all. I think I will leave well enough alone for the moment. If its not broke then dont fix it as they say. Thanks again for the reply ;-)
