Smartphone Thoughts :: View topic - Audiovox SMT5600 Available On AT&T Now For $199.99
User pattywatty over on the SmartphoneThoughts Forums is reporting some more info from the folks at www.c500-unlock.com about people having problems unlocking their AT&T Wireless Audiovox SMT5600 Smartphones:
“I finally received response from the folks at unlock-c500. They said at this time it is unsafe to unlock as they have had to downgrade one they recently tried. I don’t know exactly what that means. They said I would need at least a 64Mb minisd card and card reader to read the firmware in order to help them work faster. Again, I am not sure what that means. I am now a little tempted to just cancel this phone and buy the unlocked version through expansys-usa.”
The unlock process involves getting an IMEI-specific unlock file, and using a firmware updater program to unlock the phone. In my initial email correspondence with c500-unlock, they claimed that they wouldn’t have any problem unlocking the phone, since it was based on the HTC Typhoon/SPV C500. However, people who have tried this unlock method have reported that the procedure left their new phone unbootable, and basically dead in the water.
It’s always risky dealing with firmware-level changes like this, and of course, the buyer should beware. Keep an eye on the thread linked above for updates on the situation, and I’ll definitely post here when I learn of a safe way to unlock this phone.
TinyScreenfuls Feed (this blog)
Just wondering if you had heard a timeline concerning when c500-unlock.com thought that they might have a solution to the unlocking problem.
Thanks.
I got an email back from them that says they currently have a workaround, which is to flash in a ROM from the SPV/Orange version, basically turning it into a C500, and making it unlockable.
They aren’t happy with this, and are working on a full unlock for the Audiovox firmware. Hopefully we’ll see something in the next few weeks.
Hello,
the unlock for SMT5600 does not cause problems anymore. Since 1st of november you can unlock the AudioVox without any tricks. You will not loose anything (all your data will stay intact and all programs will be the same).
URL: http://www.imei-check.co.uk
Florin
Hey,
I unlocked my smt5600 in order to use it in the UK. It seemed to work fine but simply will not connect with my vodafone chip, unless I am outside (even then reception is only one bar - if that). The chip is fine, works with plenty of other phones, but no chip works on the phone EXCEPT for an orange chip.
Any ideas?
kayjay, that might be because the SMT5600 doesn’t have the 900Mhz band that most of the RotW uses. You were probably catching the 1800Mhz coverage, which is spottier.