debranding N73 - Is it worth it?

[mrb13676]

Hi
I have an N73 which is vodafone live branded. People tell me that the vlive software downgrades performance. Is this true. Is it worth debranding the phone at the risk of invalidating the warranty. Anyone had any experience with this and can comment?
Thanks
Mike

 

[JK8]

Lol if theres nothing wrong with your phone dont mess with it, whoever told you it downgrades performance is talking crap!

Theres only one difference between branded and unbranded, until you find out what that is, then consider re branding!

 

[Jow]

The main problem with branded firmware is that it is often not kept up to date with the latest Nokia firmware releases (ie. you as the customer then do not benefit from bug fixes and improvements which are implemented by Nokia). This is apparent by reading many of the complaints on http://discussions.europe.nokia.com/discussions.
What version of firmware does your phone currently have and have you tried updating it via Nokia Software Updater?
If you find that the Vodafone firmware is out of date and you cannot update it, then changing your phone's product code to a generic Nokia code will allow you to update the phone with the latest firmware.
Changing product codes is very simple and you can always change the code back to the original Vodafone code in case you are worried that someone will check it in warranty.

 

[mrb13676]

Hi Jow

The current version on the phone is V3.0638.0.0.1 dated 30/10/2006. I'm sure it has been updated since. However, using the nokia software upgrade and entering the product code 0542457, I get the same version. I have seen mention on the web of a version 3.0642.0.0.1, which is obviously not a Vlive! software bundle.

Your point about changing the code back is well made, only thing is that if flashing the phone with a new code destroys it, then I won't be able to change it back. I'm not sure if this is a risk or not....

 

[ginggs]

The main problem with branded firmware is that it is often not kept up to date with the latest Nokia firmware releases

Exactly!
Latest firmware for N73 Vodafone branded is version 3.0638.0.0.1 dated 2006/10/30.
Latest firmware for unbranded N73 is version 4.0726.2.0.1 dated 2007/06/26.

 

[Jow]

Your point about changing the code back is well made, only thing is that if flashing the phone with a new code destroys it, then I won't be able to change it back. I'm not sure if this is a risk or not....

A bad flash is in my opinion an extreme case and i'm sure Vodacom warranty would simply replace the phone or reload the firmware themselves.

From what I found, the following two codes are generic South African codes for the generic N73:
0529604
0529807
There are probably different codes for each colour of the phone, but I doubt that it makes any difference.
These codes will allow you to update to the latest version 4.0726.2.0.1.

You may lose some Vodafone features by changing firmware. The most significant of these that I'm aware of is full screen MMS display.

 

[ginggs]

The most significant of these that I'm aware of is full screen MMS display.

I've just checked on version 4.0726.2.0.1, if you click on the picture and then choose view you then get a full screen option.

The one thing I have noticed about upgrading from v3 to v4 is that the 3D Snakes game is no longer included in the firmware, they probably dumped it for to make space for other features.
You can just download the N95 version here, and it works fine.

 

[shadow_84]

Void warranty?

My N73 also has this 0542457 code. The firmware is more than a year old by now. I'm considering changing my code to 0529604. Does anybody know if this will void the warranty?
I have about a year and two months of warranty left...

 

[Tallboy]

I had the same problem with my wife's vlive branded phone so I changed the product code to 0539265 which is supposedly an ME. The firmware was updated. The phone now supports A2DP.

 

[Silent_Bob]

I had a vodafone branded N70, what I did was went to the Nokia Service centre and asked for the original nokia firmware to be installed, make ORIGINAL NOKIA FIRMWARE loud and clear and they will do it for you, free of charge and not voiding warranty.

 

[shadow_84]

Thanks for your replies. I'll do what you suggested!

 

[Baumann]

PRoblems with firmware.... I have n73 and my firmware is sooo old...

 

[mohammedm]

N73 Music Edition

The SA product code to flash your N73 to an N73ME is:
0539265 South Africa

Much nicer than the basic N73 - a mini iPod for some.
Latest firmware is also 4.0736.3.2.1

 

[NNAICKER]

Don't know about Nokia N73 but iv update my 6234 (vodafone) frm v3 to v5.43

 

[NNAICKER]

but it came with a cost...my calculator and e-mail were gone!!!!!!!!

only good thing is now i can play music with-in java (which v3 didnt support) and the play buttons r 3d like now besides that im just living without the calculator and e-mail....but my phones doesn't seem to restart alot like b4