Blade A3 Prime (Visible)

[zaduma]

Im pretty sure this is the best plan out right now for all carriers, $25 flat, Xtra fees included in that already, unlimited everything, incl tethering, it's on Verizon too, no contract.

Yes, I am aware of what the company I am currently subscribed to offers.

When I originally signed up I ported in a number from FreedomPop ($1 activation). And sent them an old junker android phone I had laying around and received the A3 Prime. I signed up despite heavy concerns because for $1 (number) + $25 (first month) + $25 (second month with party pay), a total of $51 I would receive a $100 gift card, and a new junker phone.

That $100 promotion is over, and there is now a $50 promotion. So for $51 to get the $50 gift card, I'd be $1 at a loss.

This wouldn't be such a bad deal if the service worked, but Visible, hands down, is the worst carrier I have ever experienced. And I've been on all major networks, and many many many MVNO's. Visible's network is a piece of garbage due to the new routing system that they have implemented.

On Visible you can expect -missed calls -missed texts -data so slow you can't stream a song (.1/.1 Mbps), or at least that is my experience, as well as many others across the internet. The speeds are fantastic the first week, as they know that's when you'll be critical. Past that the throttling masked as de-prioritization begins.

So, now you see why I will not be signing back up for Visible under a pseudonym just to receive this junker phone.

And I repeat, as I often do. If anyone wants to help out and provide a firmware dump off of their phone (non-destructive procedure btw) I will happily get to work on this for fun.

However, unless you are willing to provide a data dump, consider this thread abandoned by OP (me).

 

[kentchristopher]

Do you still need /proc/config.gz? I can at least get you that.

As for a ROM dump, does that require the bootloader to be unlocked? I hesitate there only because I may sell this device and I know relocking the bootloader can sometimes be iffy, unless it's known that there are no issues doing so on this device.

 

[zaduma]

Do you still need /proc/config.gz? I can at least get you that.

As for a ROM dump, does that require the bootloader to be unlocked? I hesitate there only because I may sell this device and I know relocking the bootloader can sometimes be iffy, unless it's known that there are no issues doing so on this device.

Yeah, I could start with that, I'm not sure if it will provide me with enough information, but it should. Sorry it took me so long to respond. I'm in the middle of changing my e-mail address and this account got left behind for a week or so.

 

[websiteperson]

I also have the Blade A3 Prime (received about 2 weeks ago). I've been testing it as my new hotspot, but after the first week (like you noticed), the speeds have become pretty unusable, mostly due to it jumping on band 13, I believe.
I do have a $120/mo plan I was hoping to cancel, but I don't think I'm going to with the way Visible's service is currently.

I'm going to hook back up to our previous service for now, so I can help out with the A3.

 

[Talysdaddy]

Yes, I am aware of what the company I am currently subscribed to offers

Wow had no idea service that bad? Assumed that if anything coverage would be super good considering they piggyback Verizon towers. Maybe I didn't dig deep enough but to be honest everyone that mentions Visible only has good things to say. I had to send back my A3 cuz Visible got my number wrong so they can't port it, they said I have to send back the phone and start all over again, signing up on the website and stuff? It's kinda stupid.. had a feeling that $20 unlimited everything was too good to be true.. Are you in an urban areas or rural?

 

[Teroy804]

visible wireless blade a3

No, no one has volunteered to help. And, since the $100 Visible signup deal is now over. And, I have experienced how poor Visible's service is I won't be getting a new A3 or staying on Visible; my interest has waned.

I'd still slap it together, because I've done all the research and am ready to go.

If anyone wants to help the details are in post #1. Otherwise, there will be no more progress.

not sure you care anymore nor have i finished with this thread but i found app called hidden settings that takes me to radio info and i can change to gsm only and set the preferred network type to -gsm only (most likely on lte only) then back up go to band mode and pick united states restart phone if speed hasn't significantly change went from .5mbs to 60mbs problem is the bands change so often if can figure way to stop for example BAND 4 IS WEAKER SIGNAL but gives me better ping and awesome speeds but it always switches to 13 witch is great signal trash speed so i have to reset network to get back on 4 once or twice a day at home

 

[pctech101]

Upping config

Here's the config off mine.
Where did you say the source is? I'm not finding any source for the kernel on mine.
I'm afraid of messing with 391900B1019Z5157VGABBV1.0.0B05.zip because of previous experiments of downgrading kernel; bricks...
I'll attempt compiling the kernel if I get the source for the version I have..
I've been sitting waiting to root so I can port forward/enable passthrough to my router I tether to so I can get access to my cameras remotely...
Now I am needing it so I am here to assist in anyway I am capable of.

ZTE Blade A3 Prime
model: Z5157V
Android 10
Build# Z5157VV1.0.0B06
KERNEL 4.9.190+
BASEBAND: MOLY.LR12A.R3.MP.V92.P32

 

[pctech101]

OP how did you get out of the boot loop?
I bought a firmware and used magisk to patch the boot.img.
I fastboot boot patched.img and got into the OS.
I flashed the patched and now it is in a reboot cycle.
I tried volume up + power from off state
same for volume -.
I'm stuck in a cycle.
Not sure of the actual key presses for recovery on this...
I didn't attempt flashing a b.

 

[pctech101]

I have successfully rooted with Magisk.
Because of my recovery process my IMEI is null.
Haven't figured out how to repair it yet.
So what works is unlock bootloader(quoted from OP):
adb reboot bootloader

fastboot flashing unlock (use volume up to confirm)
fastboot flashing unlock_critical (use volume up to confirm)

Use magisk manager to patch the boot.img from the firmware (I paid for the firmware I got)
Use a blanked vbmeta.img
after bootloader unlock I used SP Tool to "Download Only" the firmware; I changed the location for boot.img to be the magisk_patched.img and vbmeta.img to the blanked one I got and clicked Download button...

I believe we can use fastboot to flash both magisk_patched.img and a blanked vbmeta.img.
After I resolve my IMEI issues I will verify the process and update.
Also intend to get twrp on here but IMEI is my first priority

Peace and Love!

 

[Talysdaddy]

I have successfully rooted with Magisk.
Because of my recovery process my IMEI is null.
Haven't figured out how to repair it yet.
So what works is unlock bootloader(quoted from OP):
adb reboot bootloader

fastboot flashing unlock (use volume up to confirm)
fastboot flashing unlock_critical (use volume up to confirm)

Use magisk manager to patch the boot.img from the firmware (I paid for the firmware I got)
Use a blanked vbmeta.img
after bootloader unlock I used SP Tool to "Download Only" the firmware; I changed the location for boot.img to be the magisk_patched.img and vbmeta.img to the blanked one I got and clicked Download button...

I believe we can use fastboot to flash both magisk_patched.img and a blanked vbmeta.img.
After I resolve my IMEI issues I will verify the process and update.
Also intend to get twrp on here but IMEI is my first priority

Peace and Love!

How about sharing the firmware file? I'm sure lots of peeps would appreciate that and find it much more useful than than a pic of magisk. Upload it to your Google Drive or might be able to upload it this thread. At least upload recovery.img and boot img so we can try root too.

 

[extrnoob]

I found a couple of firmware files if it would help anyone, one is Z5157VV1.0.0B17 and the other Z5157VV1.0.0B06 . I can't post the links on here but if anyone wants them PM me and I'll send them to you. Hope this helps!

 

[Talysdaddy]

Ok Finally found my stock rom, in case anyone else needs it here ya go. This has the April security patch. Options for both .img or .zip available towards the bottom. This isn't my upload, I simply found it. Gonna try rooting w/ Magisk now

Z5157VV1.0.0B06

 

[matthewmalah]

Are you still in need of a ZTE blade a3 prime (visible) guinea pig?

 

[matthewmalah]

Yes, I am aware of what the company I am currently subscribed to offers.

When I originally signed up I ported in a number from FreedomPop ($1 activation). And sent them an old junker android phone I had laying around and received the A3 Prime. I signed up despite heavy concerns because for $1 (number) + $25 (first month) + $25 (second month with party pay), a total of $51 I would receive a $100 gift card, and a new junker phone.

That $100 promotion is over, and there is now a $50 promotion. So for $51 to get the $50 gift card, I'd be $1 at a loss.

This wouldn't be such a bad deal if the service worked, but Visible, hands down, is the worst carrier I have ever experienced. And I've been on all major networks, and many many many MVNO's. Visible's network is a piece of garbage due to the new routing system that they have implemented.

On Visible you can expect -missed calls -missed texts -data so slow you can't stream a song (.1/.1 Mbps), or at least that is my experience, as well as many others across the internet. The speeds are fantastic the first week, as they know that's when you'll be critical. Past that the throttling masked as de-prioritization begins.

So, now you see why I will not be signing back up for Visible under a pseudonym just to receive this junker phone.

And I repeat, as I often do. If anyone wants to help out and provide a firmware dump off of their phone (non-destructive procedure btw) I will happily get to work on this for fun.

However, unless you are willing to provide a data dump, consider this thread abandoned by OP (me).

 

[matthewmalah]

I'll be more than happy to provide the dump you'll just have to provide instructions. I'm really new to this and interested in helping. Just let me know.