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Asus refunds Zenfone buyer for failing to provide bootloader unlock tools

androidauthority.com

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Re: Asus refunds Zenfone buyer for failing to provide bootloader unlock tools

#31

Post by praisewhitey »

jsheard wrote: post #8
Rinzler89 wrote: post #2

>Given that ASUS has one of the worst software support commitments in the Android world [...] It started removing posts about bootloader unlocking in its ZenTalk forums. Which is why I never understood why Asus Zenfone kept being recommended on HN all the time when people asked for good android phones to buy. I thought this community appreciated long SW support. I think the people recommending it were not dogfooding…

The Zenfones mainly carved out a following because they're the smallest flagship-tier Android phones on the market. Asus has terrible support, but if you want a small-ish device there isn't a great deal of choice nowadays.

>they're the smallest flagship-tier Android phones

They're the same size as the Galaxy S series

https://phonesized.com/compare/#2261,2398

Re: Asus refunds Zenfone buyer for failing to provide bootloader unlock tools

#32

Post by handity »

ReptileMan wrote: post #29

Okay - so which devices are left that are easily rootable? I will be in the market for new one soon. It's good if EU after mandating usb-c also mandates unlockable bootloaders for whomever wants it.

The pixel 4a is the last good phone that's small, rootable, with a headphone jack and good rom options.

Re: Asus refunds Zenfone buyer for failing to provide bootloader unlock tools

#33

Post by shepherdjerred »

HansHamster wrote: post #30
esalman wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Tbh I don't share the sentiment that the community appreciates long SW support. Otherwise we'd see Windows being recommended over Linux more often.

You mean Microsoft Windows which dropped support for Zen 1 with Win11 not even 5 years after Zen 1 was released? Meanwhile, Linux will still run on a 30+ year old CPU...

Isn't Windows 10 still supported?

Re: Asus refunds Zenfone buyer for failing to provide bootloader unlock tools

#34

Post by encom »

asdp9iujaspid wrote: post #26
encom wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>GrapheneOS This was not a project I expected to use Discord for support. Sad.

https://grapheneos.org/contact#community > Our chat rooms are bridged across Discord, Telegram and Matrix so you can choose your preferred platform. > We have an official forum for longer form posts, which is publicly accessible and easier to search. We are using Flarum for our forum. https://discuss.grapheneos.org/ If they mandated discord as a closed support community sure, but you can't be too upset by the mere af…

I'm just disappointed that they associate with Discord at all, given that it is the antithesis of privacy and Freedom.

Re: Asus refunds Zenfone buyer for failing to provide bootloader unlock tools

#35

Post by freedomben »

franga2000 wrote: post #18
sn0wtrooper wrote: post #9

Long is gone the time where unlocking bootloaders and installing custom ROMs was the best path to follow. Even if you are able to unlock it (with difficulties such as this one, or others that involve opening the device and soldering a shortcut), you will have a device where apps check for unlocked bootloaders and rooted OS, and forbid you from use the application.

It sure isn't what it used to be, but if you buy the right phone and make a few moderate compromises, it's still a great option. Installing crDroid on my OnePlus 9 Pro took half an hour, another half to install Magisk Delta with a few modules. The universal dark mode alone (Xposed module "DarQ") is worth the effort, but also the ability to clone apps, have proper clipboard sync, make full-system backups and customise…

Do you keep a factory image for your OnePlus 9 pro in case you want to restore it? If so, how do you go about doing that?

After OnePlus decided to stop publishing factory images, I decided to stop buying their phones. It's a real shame, because they really do make some great stuff and prices are quite reasonable generally speaking. I used to buy a new OnePlus phone nearly every year. The OnePlus 6 was one of my favorite phones of all time.

Re: Asus refunds Zenfone buyer for failing to provide bootloader unlock tools

#36

Post by Audiophilip »

praisewhitey wrote: post #31
jsheard wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Zenfones mainly carved out a following because they're the smallest flagship-tier Android phones on the market. Asus has terrible support, but if you want a small-ish device there isn't a great deal of choice nowadays.

>they're the smallest flagship-tier Android phones They're the same size as the Galaxy S series https://phonesized.com/compare/#2261,2398

Does the Galaxy S series have headphone jacks as well?

Re: Asus refunds Zenfone buyer for failing to provide bootloader unlock tools

#37

Post by freedomben »

ReptileMan wrote: post #29

Okay - so which devices are left that are easily rootable? I will be in the market for new one soon. It's good if EU after mandating usb-c also mandates unlockable bootloaders for whomever wants it.

All pixel phones are very easy to unlock the bootloader, and Google publishes factory images. So if your root goes wrong or you need to revert to stock, it is very easy. The actual process of obtaining root is as easy as it is on any other device, which is to say, I wish it was a lot easier, but it is very doable.

As a bonus, it also opens the door for Graphene OS should you choose to go that direction.

Re: Asus refunds Zenfone buyer for failing to provide bootloader unlock tools

#38

Post by myself248 »

sn0wtrooper wrote: post #9

Long is gone the time where unlocking bootloaders and installing custom ROMs was the best path to follow. Even if you are able to unlock it (with difficulties such as this one, or others that involve opening the device and soldering a shortcut), you will have a device where apps check for unlocked bootloaders and rooted OS, and forbid you from use the application.

Huh.

I guess I must not run any of those apps?

Re: Asus refunds Zenfone buyer for failing to provide bootloader unlock tools

#39

Post by magnio »

Audiophilip wrote: post #36
praisewhitey wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>they're the smallest flagship-tier Android phones They're the same size as the Galaxy S series https://phonesized.com/compare/#2261,2398

Does the Galaxy S series have headphone jacks as well?

No, but can't you use a USB-C earphone?

Re: Asus refunds Zenfone buyer for failing to provide bootloader unlock tools

#40

Post by pulpfictional »

encom wrote: post #34
asdp9iujaspid wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

https://grapheneos.org/contact#community > Our chat rooms are bridged across Discord, Telegram and Matrix so you can choose your preferred platform. > We have an official forum for longer form posts, which is publicly accessible and easier to search. We are using Flarum for our forum. https://discuss.grapheneos.org/ If they mandated discord as a closed support community sure, but you can't be too upset by the mere af…

I'm just disappointed that they associate with Discord at all, given that it is the antithesis of privacy and Freedom.

The focus is security. Be disappointed in all the other free platforms that cannot provide adequate moderation or stability.

Do you happen to know a suitable alternative?

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