ZTE ZMAX (T-Mobile/MetroPCS USA)

[Planterz]

ATTENTION: Discussion about this device has moved.

Please direct further discussion to this thread:

http://xdaforums.com/general/general/zte-zmax-z970-guide-faq-discussion-t3053066


ORIGINAL POST:


I just came across this phone on T-Mobile's website, released earlier this week.

5.7" 720x1280 (258ppi) TFT screen
Quad core Snapdragon 400 1.2GHz, Adreno 305
2GB RAM
16GB built-in storage, microSD card up to 32GB
8MP camera, 1080p video
Android 4.4.2
LTE on band 4 and T-Mo's upcoming band 12 (and a couple other bands used by other companies in North America)

All for $252 off-contract (or $10.50/mo over 2 years).

I gotta say, I'm intrigued by this new phone. There's some obvious drawbacks/shortcuts; it's big for the screen size, the camera isn't fantastic, the screen is a bit dim/bland (according to a cnet review), no NFC, etc. But it's got a frugal, adequate processor with a big battery, runs a lightly skinned, nearly stock Android, has LTE (and T-Mo's LTE speeds here are amazing) and best of all, 2GB RAM, so it shouldn't lag or stutter.

I'm somewhat interested in this phone for myself, but I'll probably just wait to get a Nexus Shamu. But a friend (who's broke) of mine wants a bigass phone to watch Netflix on and play some games and emulators. Obviously the lowish pixel density is a drawback, but for what he'd use it for, it's perfectly fine.

For $252, this seems like an amazing bargain. Where else are you going to find a phablet with LTE at this price? But I'm not very familiar with ZTE. Build quality, longevity, software stability, updates, etc, are all in question for me.

Has anyone picked one up yet, or checked one out at a T-Mobile store? What have been your impressions on other ZTE devices?

 

[biledigger]

Has anybody tried this to seebif it can possibly root the phone? http ://xdaforums.com/android/development/intel-android-devices-root-temp-cwm-t2975096

 

[King Ice]

Still working on ideas myself

 

[Meep70]

Has anybody tried this to seebif it can possibly root the phone? http ://xdaforums.com/android/development/intel-android-devices-root-temp-cwm-t2975096

That's for devices with Intel processors. It might be worth a shot, but highly doubtful.

 

[biledigger]

I was just wondering because it says it temp boots it through your pc instead of rightboff the phone. They mentioned that it is used to get past locked bootloaders. So I figured someone might give it a shot.

 

[TecheTag]

Has anybody tried this to seebif it can possibly root the phone? http ://xdaforums.com/android/development/intel-android-devices-root-temp-cwm-t2975096

Your link is all broken up.... Lol you might want to fix it... You can't click on it because your httpis spa ced from the link... Lol

Zmax

 

[biledigger]

I did that because I don't have enough overall posts to add links yet.

 

[TecheTag]

So 1 of my customers in crack there zmax screen.... guess what I get to do... Break it down and see them guts...going to order the whole lcd+frame $50

Zmax

 

[totlth]

Has anybody tried this to seebif it can possibly root the phone? http ://xdaforums.com/android/development/intel-android-devices-root-temp-cwm-t2975096

I'm gonna try this. I read thru the post and it said adb root shell is working. Maybe it'll get me somewhere.

Sent from my Z970 using Tapatalk

 

[TecheTag]

I'm gonna try this. I read thru the post and it said adb root shell is working. Maybe it'll get me somewhere.

Sent from my Z970 using Tapatalk

Doesn't work tried all 3 option... Just kept rebooting... Im surprised I didn't brick it... Hands shaking bad before every selection

Zmax

 

[biledigger]

Yay! 9 posts. I can post links now. http://xdaforums.com/android/development/intel-android-devices-root-temp-cwm-t2975096

---------- Post added at 03:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:10 AM ----------

Doesn't work tried all 3 option... Just kept rebooting... Im surprised I didn't brick it... Hands shaking bad before every selection

Zmax

Well. Maybe there is a way to change parameters or settings in the app to somewhat work with the zmax. You may have to tell it to send the files to a different location on the phone. I was just trying to toss that out there with the hopes of someone possibly getting it to work since it says it bypasses the locked bootloader.

 

[Meep70]

So 1 of my customers in crack there zmax screen.... guess what I get to do... Break it down and see them guts...going to order the whole lcd+frame $50

Zmax

nice! I I have been looking for teardown pics, to see what is hiding in there. I wonder if there is a connection port (more likely empty pads on the circuit board, of sorts that might be able to be exploited. Perhaps, there's something like on the HTC EVO 3D where you could use a paperclip or other stiff wire to short across two contacts and get past the locked bootloader.

There's always a chance. Keep us posted!

 

[DroidisLINUX]

I'm gonna try this. I read thru the post and it said adb root shell is working. Maybe it'll get me somewhere.

Sent from my Z970 using Tapatalk

Did you get root shell on zmax, or just read they have root shell on the topic you read, because if you have root shell then you would have either su in system, or adb root permissions on your computer either way you would have root, and be able to use SuperSU, if you have root shell can you tell us what you did.

Sent from my Z970 using XDA Free mobile app

 

[therealduckie]

Wall of text incoming!!!

I think I understand better why this thread keeps getting derailed & why very few are willing to help us achieve root. so if you will bear with me, here are a few facts and thoughts on the matter and how I think we can fix it.

1st, the majority of those purchasing this phone are not the usual educated, seasoned XDA members who seek out the best deals with the best hardware and the most options. The ZMax is primarily being purchased by people who saw a sign for a low price at a discount dealer. It's almost always a spur of the moment purchase after they went to the store looking for a new phone. Admittedly, I was one of them. I went from a Galaxy device to this when I saw the price.
I personally verified my findings with 3 separate phone stores(TMO and Metro), asking no less than 10 sales reps. It's a very common thread.

2nd, those coming here, as you can see in their post numbers, are new to XDA. In fact, they are new to rooting in general. Most have little to no experience in it, very little understanding of it, and are the least technical grouping of any phone owners on this site.
Look at everyone's post numbers. They are very low. Also, look at what they are posting. It's usually elementary-level understanding and steps most older XDA members took when rooting began with the G2. Nothing is new. It's all a rehash of the past.

3rd, the average age of users is either really young or really old. No one in between. Therefore, it points to the 2nd (above) answer in education. I am 45, but have been rooting and modding phones since the early 2000's. However, most people my age are luddites or not very tech-savvy. The younger users have an excited exuberance, but they lack the discipline and long-term involvement in the rooting community. The missing majority of seasoned members in their 20s means a lack of seriousness and knowledge in the thread.
Some in this thread have shown off how old they are, either by putting their obvious birth year in their username or by admitting to working with BBS's and old computer hardware, while the younger ones have been the most vocal, edgy and volatile.

So, how can we fix it? How can we stop from the emotional outbursts? How can we keep on track and get back on target?

The best way is to acknowledge the above is true. Accept that most everyone here was just looking for a cheap phone and feels oddly entitled to root. Then, we move past that and educate ourselves.
Next, we apologize to those in the community who were willing to help us in the beginning but our actions and ignorance ran them off. We accept that we were harsh, disrespectful & pushy.
Finally, we re-read the rules of the forum. Better acquaint ourselves with the proper way to post, the proper way to respond, and not repeat ourselves or post for attention.

When I put up a post to defend the abuse and outright nonsense that was pointed at jcase, many of you clicked 'thanks'. When I posted to defend the powerless, I was summarily pummeled and then had the first post in my 3 year history deleted. That moment showed me how emotionally everyone is taking this thread. We're obviously allowing it to overcome rational thought - me included. Let's all check those emotions. It's just a phone, not a primary bodily organ. Let's be reasonable, too. Being prone to outbursts, selfishness & poppycock is only going to push the better members and rooters away. We have a long road ahead of us if we want to earn their trust again. That journey begins with the first step.

So, we should all educate ourselves a bit more on the community and the phone. Maybe not hit "Submit Reply" before we think through our posts.

Thanks to the 5 of you who will actually read this. Sorry to those of you who think it is crass. I was extremely specific in my wording to avoid generalizations.
___________________________________________

On that note - AND BACK ON TOPIC... I know @Planterz said he was probably done with this thread, but - Can we append the top post with all the common fallacies, fakery, nonsense, jibberish and questions we're all tired of answering for the 20th time? As a first step, mentioning all the links to fake roots like "unlockr" will stop the many "Has anyone tried this yet?" posts that seem to permeate this thread.
We can also add all the other common items that keep getting repeated by those who do not (or are unable to) read the entire thread...which, to be fair, is 46 pages at 50 replies per page. We can not just assume everyone has the hours needed to go through that many posts. A summary of items would help everyone.
tl;dr - New person comes in asking a question we have had 20 times, we reply with a link to the first post -- and done.

Cheers

 

[TecheTag]

We already on topic where did that come from⬆⬆⬆⬆....thats the stuff that gets thing stirred backup... Ridiculously long nonsense post like that...
?????

Zmax

 

[Meep70]

Or, we could simply start a new thread, specifically titled to indicate that it is about exploring root options for this device, and perhaps other ZTE devices that use a similar security scheme. That might expand our audience, a bit.

 

[Planterz]

On that note - AND BACK ON TOPIC... I know @Planterz said he was probably done with this thread, but - Can we append the top post with all the common fallacies, fakery, nonsense, jibberish and questions we're all tired of answering for the 20th time? As a first step, mentioning all the links to fake roots like "unlockr" will stop the many "Has anyone tried this yet?" posts that seem to permeate this thread.

If someone wants to write up a FAQ or device guide or whatever, I'd be happy to add it to the original post. Obviously writing it all myself isn't something I'm interested in doing.

A better idea might be to start a new "Development and Discussion" thread, with said FAQ/guide in the OP, which I'll link to in the first post in this thread, then ask that this thread be locked down. The person who starts that thread should be someone willing to be the custodian of FAQ/Guide in the first post (like, perhaps, someone who actually owns the phone). This thread hasn't been "mine" for a long time now.

This has certainly been one crazy thread. It started with me - only because noone else had - asking for anybody's opinions of this phone, on behalf of a friend. 2300 posts later (probably 2400 if you count the ones that got "cleaned") and I think it has kinda run full circle. No closer to root, everybody just scratching their heads wondering what to do - what they can do. Believe it or not, 2300+ posts, and I've read every one, although I unsubscribed a few weeks ago (the constant notifications were keeping me awake).

As for me, I ordered a OnePlus One on Tuesday. Already have some ROMs and kernels downloaded and ready to flash. Good luck with the ZMAX.

 

[monark88]

I've been closesly watching this thread... Hoping for a root or some progress..
I have a ZTE but not a zMax, but similar set up, locked boot loader, towel root fails, the like.

I would like a new thread focused on development, and definitely not so off topic.

I was hopeful when i found how active this thread is, and then it degraded...

 

[ubigred]

Start date: 9-28-2014
Current date: 3-12-2015
Progress: 0

 

[Lesharoturbo]

Start date: 9-28-2014
Current date: 3-12-2015
Progress: 0

Untrue. We have made progress. Not one of the current root methods out there ( that are publicly available) seem to work. That is progress! I put progress at about 40%. Maybe less.

 

[4NDROID4LIFE]

If @jcase has root why isn't he sharing? Has there been any proof? I don't get why he won't share his exploit.

Sent from my LG-D850 using XDA Free mobile app