Bootloader unlock available! Usa versions only! (voids warranty immediately)

[aknotts415]

https://community.zteusa.com/community/blogging/blog/2016/08/10/did-somebody-say-bootloader

From Petershih:

We have heard you loud and clear. Throughout the last two months on Z-Community you have voiced the desire for an unlocked bootloader for the Axon 7, and today we are making this a reality.

In fact, an unlocked bootloader was something that has been in discussion internally at ZTE for quite awhile. But upon hearing more and more discussions on Z-Community about this topic, your mod team performed the necessary due diligence to present our case with internal stakeholders. After thoughtful debates and discussions, we are truly delighted to share the exciting news that fellow mobile developers have been waiting for: the U.S. versions of the Axon Pro and the Axon 7 will have their bootloader unlocked upon request here on Z-Community!

There are two important things to note: This procedure is reserved for those with a high level of technical expertise and have had experience flashing custom ROMs. Furthermore, unlocking the bootloader will void the device warranty that comes free with each Axon purchase.

To help streamline requests, we have created Developers Lounge sub-spaces within the Axon [Series] Forum. This is the exclusive space for mobile developers to request unlocking and share tips and tricks. Just to reiterate, unlocking the bootloader will void your device warranty.

To wrap up, we want to reinforce our mission behind Z-Community - share in each other’s passion for mobile and shape the roadmap for future products. While we may not comment on each request, suggestion or recommendation, we indeed listen to what our consumers want and make decisions based on that when possible. Lastly, if you’re a mobile developer and excited about this latest announcement, we want to hear from you in the comments section below - in other words, make some NOISE!

https://community.zteusa.com/community/forums/axon/developers-lounge-axon-7



AXON 7/Pro Bootloader Unlock Request
All fields are required. Please allow up to 72 business hours (Monday-Friday) in most instances. Longer wait times while uncommon, may occur without notice.
Once verified, a follow up email will provide instructions on unlocking the bootloader.

Terms and Conditions:
CAUTION!
This is a highly technical procedure and we strongly suggest that you do not unlock the bootloader unless you have a high level of mobile development experience and you understand the risks involved. Before you proceed, please note that unlocking the bootloader of any ZTE device will VOID ITS WARRANTY effective immediately. Please DO NOT attempt to unlock the bootloader unless you are confident that you fully understand the risks involved which may include physically damaging the device, rendering it inoperable, altering its behavior, or otherwise creating undesirable results. If you decide to move forward with unlocking the bootloader and click the Next button below, you do so with the understanding of its consequences, including the IMMEDIATE VOIDING of your device WARRANTY.

* Required
First and Last Name *
________________

Your answer
Email Address Used To Register For Z-Community *
________________
Your answer
Z-Community Username *
________________
Your answer
IMEI (Please Double Check) *
________________
Your answer
Axon Device You Wish To Unlock *
-Choose-
Do you agree to the terms and conditions above? *
-Yes
-No
NEXT

They require you to fill out the above form. So they def know your warranty is void.

 

[Goronok]

Good news! Voiding warranty over a bootloader unlock does not make sense.

 

[djona12]

Great news ! Some points to clear out but overall happy to see things moving.
Loss of warranty is pretty standard, only a few company allow the bootloader to be unlocked while keeping the warranty (OP and Oppo, i don't know of any other).
US market only at the moment. Not to happy about that as i live in Europe, if nothing is made, it will kill the european market for ZTE. I personally will keep my preorder up but if there isn't any news about the european version, i certainly will not keep the device at the end of the month of free return...

Still overall a good news, to rejoice about !

 

[aknotts415]

Great news ! Some points to clear out but overall happy to see things moving.
Loss of warranty is pretty standard, only a few company allow the bootloader to be unlocked while keeping the warranty (OP and Oppo, i don't know of any other).
US market only at the moment. Not to happy about that as i live in Europe, if nothing is made, it will kill the european market for ZTE. I personally will keep my preorder up but if there isn't any news about the european version, i certainly will not keep the device at the end of the month of free return...

Still overall a good news, to rejoice about !

Oneplus, oppo, i think huawei, google nexus, htc all allow BL unlock without voiding warranty. And many brands say they void the warranty but as long as you return it to stock prior to sending it in your usually okay unless its samsung. the way zte is doing it is its void as soon as you ask to do it which isnt really right if theres a hardware defect not due to unlocking like say your charging port dying.

 

[rczrider]

I won't copy my entire response to Peter's blog post over here, but I'll copy this:

I can honestly say this negatively impacts the chances that I'll keep the phone past the 30 days B&H will give me to return it. I will wait for an XDA dev to work their magic and possibly provide TWRP and root without a BL unlock (as in the case of the Intel-based ASUS Zenfone 2), but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Berzerker7]

This is a half-ass solution. Voided warranties from bootloader unlocks are incredibly 2010. There's no reason why, if Google, OnePlus, HTC, Motorola, and Huawei all offer bootloader unlocks without voiding warranties, that ZTE can't. We still need to complain. It's a great start, but this isn't enough.

 

[Nameless One]

This is a half-ass solution. It's a great start, but this isn't enough.

Exactly!
WHERE IS OUR FREE PONY???

 

[Wizpop]

I am still thinking of canceling pre order. I feel like voiding the warranty is little demanding and could limit it's adoption in developer community. Honestly without strong XDA developer support I'll go to a op3, n6 or HTC. I want custom ROMs (sultan being my favorite). I want xposed and freedom of choice for the hardware. This is step in right direction but it still concerns me that it's a half hearted gesture.

ZTE could really use this as a opportunity to burst into the market much like OPO by embracing developers openly. It definitely has helped OPO.

 

[Berzerker7]

Exactly!
WHERE IS OUR FREE PONY???

This is like getting a free pony, but them taking away the stable you originally bought for it, so it's just going to die.

 

[aknotts415]

I won't copy my entire response to Peter's blog post over here, but I'll copy this:

edit

 

[Wizpop]

This is like getting a free pony, but them taking away the stable you originally bought for it, so it's just going to die.

Not to mention you have to ask for permission to use said pony via ZTE USA forum. Not sure how thatll work. I think want to keep a database of those who have roots there phones as you have fill out a form with name, IMEI and such. Seems excessive.

 

[rczrider]

Sup RCZrider its starkiller base from zte :highfive:

Haha. I like it when folks use the same handle on multiple forums. Makes it easier to keep up

 

[jcsww]

Unlocking the bootloader versus taking a risk on their lack of quality control.... I guess that is all I need to say, I won't be purchasing an Axon 7!

 

[jimmydee67]

Well I have the Axon 7 and I think it is a great phone has very good specs. and I haven't had any problems with it which I guess I have to consider myself lucky based on others having issues. But I have requested the bootloader unlock because I like to use custom roms on my phones. I am also concerned about the warranty being voided if you unlock the bootloader since there could be hardware issues occur having nothing to do with unlocking the bootloader. Which I expressed this on ZTEUSA forum hopefully they will change this to cover hardware issues, and if you read the comments from others there they also agree with what I have said so lets hope ZTE does to.

 

[moordi]

Problem solved!

This is great news. I was really torn between the OP3 and Axon 7. Now it's no contest. The next time I'm in the market for a phone, I'll see if ZTE's changed their policy. The hardware is still compelling.

 

[QAM]

Hola
A follow up question to those in the know, is it at all possible to get root on a official unlocked bootloader request, and then be able to somehow replicate the root process on locked devices? The idea or hope is that with an unlocked bootloader, there are some methods that our super devs can invoke to get root on even locked phones.

While I honestly knew that ZTE would provide unlocking bootloader (due to very vocal XDA / geeky folks) I also saw the voiding of the warranty part... it's only logical for a mid-sized OEM to take the sort of easy way out. ZTE is not developer friendly (from recent history).

While I may be ok with stock MiFlavor UI, root is more important for me as it can for the most part allow me to customize the areas that I want. Plus you'll never get very stable and fully functional AOSP based ROMs without full sources from the OEM... the audio, fingerprint, camera sub-systems are very likely closed sourced.

 

[devsk]

So, you have a broken speaker or bad battery by any chance, you are SOL'ed if you unlocked.... No thanks!

 

[XblackdemonX]

Not to mention you have to ask for permission to use said pony via ZTE USA forum. Not sure how thatll work. I think want to keep a database of those who have roots there phones as you have fill out a form with name, IMEI and such. Seems excessive.

I'll wait for someone to post their unlocking tools on the forums so I can unlock my phone without ZTE knowing.

 

[rczrider]

So, you have a broken speaker or bad battery by any chance, you are SOL'ed if you unlocked.... No thanks!

Pretty much. And while there isn't really that much evidence to suggest the Axon 7 is plagued with manufacturing defects, there are enough issues reported on the ZTE forum that I wouldn't want to risk unlocking the bootloader within the return period (although I ordered from B&H and I doubt they would notice or care if it was unlocked).

My gray is still on preorder, scheduled to ship next Monday or Tuesday (for delivery on the 17th, I believe). I'll give it the full 30 days - so middle of September - for an enterprising dev to discover a way to flash recovery and gain root without unlocking the bootloader. If they can't, and even if there's nothing wrong with the phone itself (except the unimpressive camera), back to B&H it goes. I'm not especially impressed by the OP3, but the 2016 Nexus devices should be available for preorder in late September and shipping in October, so I may go that route as long as Google doesn't do something stupid with their pricing. And if not the Marlin, then the Zenfone 3 Deluxe bears some consideration if it's not stupidly priced.

Sorry, ZTE, you had your chance and blew it. I really wanted you to succeed, too

 

[ItsLasher]

WTH you get a bootloader unlock like you wanted but now you're pissed on the voided warranty!?!?!
Its called protection form the morons that bork their phones out of the gate which happens on a regular basis. WHY SHOULD THEY PAY FOR SOME ONES STUPIDITY?

I also like how the people that root think they are special snow flakes and will make or break a company if their demands aren't met. This community ( custom users) is only a small part of the total number of devices sold and is only a blip on the financial map of a company...LOL