what goes with debranding AT&T w580i?

[elysian81]

I'm considering debranding my w580i, but I'm totally new and want to really weigh my options. I understand that the phone will be reset to Sony Ericcson's original presets, but am curious about all the changes that AT&T made.

Besides the obnoxious MediaNet key, what specific features will I be losing/gaining if I choose to debrand?

[jasmin]

Read this:

Branded Phones = Some network providers place their own ringtones, themes, icons, links etc within phone's software. (eg. vodafone, orange, t-mobie, rogers, cingular etc.) Debranding means removing all this content and restoring phone to it's original factory SONYERICSSON condition. This will not damage phone in any way! You will loose Operator Icons, and links, WAP, and MMS settings however these you can get via http://www.sonyericsson.com/spg.jsp?...=pg&tl=support
select Region ---> Country ---> Support ---> PHONE SETUP

Have a nice day

[elysian81]

Thanks, Jasmin, but I am curious about the specifics for debranding this particular model.

On AT&T's forums, there were some very alarmist posters who said you would lose the FM radio function, gain full functionality of the fitness feature (which seems to work already, in my opinion), and lose the ability to send text messages under a texting plan and have to send them as data instead.

Anyone here have experience with what precisely an AT&T w580i debrand changes?