Is this phone pretty much dead on launch as far as the dev community goes?

[jsheradin]

I got this phone mostly because the hardware specs were top notch and my old Zenfone 2 (Z00A) had amazing CM support and even an official bootloader unlock. The ZS570KL still has yet to get so much as a root. Going from CM to the bloated, ugly stock ROM hasn't been fun and I can't wait to get something better. I've prodded ASUS for info on a bootloader unlock and they have basically just said that they can't comment on a release date, or if it's even coming at all.

Is there any active development for this phone or is it just dead?

 

[Darkdragontc]

it's active, but what you see here, is all answered questions that we ask already, so there isn't much we can do , until we get from asus. And then alert every develop out there to start making custom roms for this phone.

 

[Rhokk]

I think many people like myself are waiting on the bootloader unlock before buying. If they are going to release it, it better be soon. Else they risk newer phones coming out that trump the specs of this phone that ARE developer friendly. This ship had almost sailed to be honest. What are they waiting for?

 

[jsheradin]

This ship had almost sailed to be honest.

Yeah, I'm almost regretting buying it to be honest. I really expected it to be popular in the dev community especially given ASUS' history and that bootloader unlocks are already available for the non deluxe ZF3 and even the ZS550KL. The LG V20, the other phone I was heavily considering waiting for, came out almost a month after this phone already has some ROMs coming out.

This phone has amazing specs and design but is just let down so much by terrible firmware and a completely dead dev community. It's a shame.

 

[Rhokk]

Your absolutely correct. Such a shame that a beast of a phone goes quietly in the night. It would've been such an upgrade from my Nexus 6P.

My wild guess is that Asus will release our unlock around April-June when phones are starting to come out with the next snapdragon chipset and 6gig ram is all over the market. At that time, the qualities that make this special will be gone. I don't understand this logic at all.

 

[The Simple]

I really like this phone but all the ways Asus tried to kill its success boggles my mind. The lack of an official bootloader when all their other models have one is just another nail in the coffin of an otherwise really good phone. I thought Asus had learned their lesson... guess not.

The 3 biggest reasons for failure in the dev community:
1. No Bootloader (yet)
2. Price
3. Availability

 

[freestyla85]

Its dumbfounding. Such a beautiful phone with amazing specs and Asus care absolutely zero about marketing this phone outside Asia. I had to buy it online because they decided not sell it in Canada. And even online the availability is limited to Taiwan only with every reseller getting it from there in short supply. I don't even think there is a north american model. Why not have faith in your brand? Asus said they didn't think the deluxe would do well in north america with all the competition so they abandoned it. They also thought the phone would not sell because its too expensive but then realized demand for it exceeded the supply and decided to increase production.

 

[ultramag69]

Its dumbfounding. Such a beautiful phone with amazing specs and Asus care absolutely zero about marketing this phone outside Asia. I had to buy it online because they decided not sell it in Canada. And even online the availability is limited to Taiwan only with every reseller getting it from there in short supply. I don't even think there is a north american model. Why not have faith in your brand? Asus said they didn't think the deluxe would do well in north america with all the competition so they abandoned it. They also thought the phone would not sell because its too expensive but then realized demand for it exceeded the supply and decided to increase production.

Seems like a surefire recipe for failure to me....
I have the SD821 versian, I had to pay through the teeth to get it then when it gets shown to others thet all want to know where to get it and how much it cost. Word of mouth is a great way to do business but the product MUST be available.

 

[Toki_Wartooth]

I had the subforum tab open to check up on this later, but I'm updating some software right now and noticed this post title... I still have the phone unopened in the box Amazon shipped it in. I guess this is Asus' loss releasing a phone during the only extended return period of the year. I've read a few negatives on the ZF3 Deluxe like low headphone volume and intermittent Bluetooth, but unlocking is what I want.

Since I have until the end of next month to return it to Amazon I figured I would pick up the OnePlus 3T and give it a try - free 15 day return period. I thought, what the heck - I paid more for the ZF3 so why not get the 128GB 3T? Added it to my cart and on the checkout page it gave an estimated date (was within 9 days). I wanted to see what I said the ETA would be on the 64GB model that was listed as shipping within 3 weeks and removed the 128GB model. Went to add the 128GB model back in less than a minute after checking the 64GB model...sold out and it's been like for the last 2 weeks. Talk about frustrating! I ended up ordering the 64GB model and figure I can just send it back to OnePlus when the 128GB's are back in but I'm afraid they still won't be available to order at the end of January. So here is this ZF3 D I don't think I really want. :/

jsheradin, you said the bootloader is unlocked for the other ZF3 models - any idea why not this version of the Deluxe?

If it made any sense, there would be no doubt Asus wanted the ZF3 to fail.

 

[jsheradin]

jsheradin, you said the bootloader is unlocked for the other ZF3 models - any idea why not this version of the Deluxe?

Yep, the unlock is available for everything but the 820 and 821 variants. I assume it's simply that these processors require a little more work to make an unlock utility for, but I'm just guessing at that point.

 

[ultramag69]

Yep, the unlock is available for everything but the 820 and 821 variants. I assume it's simply that these processors require a little more work to make an unlock utility for, but I'm just guessing at that point.

Actually, the Deluxe 5.5" (ZS550kl) screen has an SD820 and it has the bootloader unlock app. It's just the 5.7" ones that don't.
If I had the SD820 in the 5.7" variant I might try to unlock but I have the SD821...

 

[Paytocum]

Actually, the Deluxe 5.5" (ZS550kl) screen has an SD820 and it has the bootloader unlock app. It's just the 5.7" ones that don't.
If I had the SD820 in the 5.7" variant I might try to unlock but I have the SD821...

On Asus site it is said that the zs550kl as a Qualcomm s625 so be careful with what you write...

Sent from my ASUS_Z016D using XDA-Developers mobile app

 

[ejosh1]

Yep, the unlock is available for everything but the 820 and 821 variants. I assume it's simply that these processors require a little more work to make an unlock utility for, but I'm just guessing at that point.

I love the phone only had it a week but so far i have had only 1 issue with the BT disconnecting from my gear S3. only reason i want to unlock is so i can use titanium backup, if there is a good back up without root please let me know.

 

[jsheradin]

Actually, the Deluxe 5.5" (ZS550kl) screen has an SD820

It does not. The ZS550KL has a single version and it is a snapdragon 625. It has the same processor as the non deluxe ZF3 (Z3520KL) which came out before the deluxes. They probably already made the unlock for the non deluxe and it required very little work to make it work for the 5.5 deluxe. The 820/821 versions did not have that luck and they likely have to make the unlock from scratch.

 

[jmoricone]

Hey, I agree with all on this thread. I have the Zen 2 deluxe SE with Cyangenmod and its a great phone. Purchased the Zen 3 but have yet to use it because I cannot root. I also read that Cyangenmod is no longer offering custom ROM or am I not understanding their changes? Does this mean the chances of a custom rom for Zen 3 is out? I also upgraded my wife's phone (S5) to the same Zen 3 deluxe (ZS570KL / 256gb hd / 6gb ram / 821 chip) and she hates it... calls keep dropping signal is low and it does not even say LTE. I did a speedtest comparison betwen her Zen 3 and my Zen 2 and it was faster. Hers is also disconnecting from cellular (AT&T) data and does not show 4G anymore along with no push notifications of emails.

Anyone else having these issues?

 

[ProFragger]

Joining in on the bandwagon to vent (really)... This was my # 1 phone to get in 2016, despite the lack of Quad HD screen (especially for the price), but Asus botched it BIG TIME! The price on the SD821 model, even more frustrating, the lack of availability, even during the holiday season, and of course, now announcing their new 2017 models, with no unlocked BLs or Root... what an opportunity missed! Would have been such a strong jab against the 3T, but they ruined it!

 

[jsheradin]

I bugged Asus again via email and received this response, again:

"Temporary we haven't got the accurate time the unlock tool would be released for this ZS570KL.

But we will transfer customers' wishes to the related department for further development.

Also please note that ASUS does not actually asssit with unlocking of the Android Bootloader. I must advise that you do so at your own risk, as once the boot loader is unloked it will void your warranty."

I'm just hoping there is an unofficial unlock at this point. The stock ROM seems to somehow get more buggy and slow day by day. Is anyone else having issues with the screen taking forever to turn on after using fingerprint/pressing the side button?

 

[autoreleasepool]

I bugged Asus again via email and received this response, again:

Hey do you mind posting your email so I can send a similar one (I'm not sure what to say ) The squeaky wheel gets the oil after all

 

[jsheradin]

Hey do you mind posting your email so I can send a similar one (I'm not sure what to say ) The squeaky wheel gets the oil after all

I used this form to submit it: https://vip.asus.com/VIP2/Services/QuestionForm/TechQuery?lang=en-us

I just said, "When can the bootloader unlock utility be expected to be released?"

They responded promptly yet disappointingly. Hopefully if enough of people ask they will finally get around to making/releasing it.

Does anybody know if there is unofficial unlock work being done?

If an unlock is ever made we just need to get someone who knows TWRP to build a recovery and ideally somebody from Lineage OS to start ROM support. I've built TWRP before for a different device and may be able to do the same for this phone but I wouldn't know where to begin to get a ROM working. I feel like no devs even know this device exists. :crying:

 

[sschevy010]

I just said, "When can the bootloader unlock utility be expected to be released?"

They responded promptly yet disappointingly. Hopefully if enough of people ask they will finally get around to making/releasing it.

Does anybody know if there is unofficial unlock work being done?

If an unlock is ever made we just need to get someone who knows TWRP to build a recovery and ideally somebody from Lineage OS to start ROM support. I've built TWRP before for a different device and may be able to do the same for this phone but I wouldn't know where to begin to get a ROM working. I feel like no devs even know this device exists. :crying:

The biggest question we should all ask ourselves... "Why did ASUS build this phone in the first place if they didn't have a bootloader unlocker for it?"