[General Questions and Answers] MotoDefier:
I know its quite an old device but I was wondering if anyone would like to work with me on a few things for it.

Device: ZTE Spro 2

Model #: MF97G

Board: MSM8974PRO-AB (board variant of the Samsung Note 3)

Android version: 4.4.4

Kernel Version: 3.43.0-g59f9827-00332-ge0a154e zte-kernel@zdroid-SMT

SW Version: SPRO2GV1.0.0BO3

Hardware Version:d96c

Cores: 4

Architecture: Krait 400

Revision:r2p1

intended projects:

Bootloader unlock

Custom TWRP recovery

Custom Rom(Marshmallow or above)

remove ZTE Randsomware from Firmware(after two years of use I was met with a dialog message saying "the battery has reached end of life-cycle, contact ZTE after-sale support for new battery, projector will shut down in 5 minutes)

I know on the surface the dialog I was given seem like ZTE really cares about it's customers enough to make sure when your battery reaches a fault state they are protecting you from a potentially hazardous battery issue and while they clearly coded the system to protect you from such a problem (cool points) the fact of the matter is when you dig right down into this problem it is more of a extortion scheme to get more money out of the consumer possibly because market research showed there wasn't enough of a demand for such a device to place the price point where they preferred, so they coded in a zero day situation to gain the additional 150USD after a couple years of use. What has led me to believe this is the fact that ZTE will not under any circumstances sell you a battery for replacement unless your paying for them to replace it. They also will not sell or even admit that there is a Reset code/firmware version/or physical reset jig to get this message and shutdown function to go away if you replace the battery with an aftermarket battery, they will however tell you that all the repair techs do when you send it for battery replacement is.

1. Replace the battery

2. Master reset the device

3. Reflash the firmware

I have replace the battery with an aftermarket battery found for less than 30USD

I have master reset the device

I have reflashed the firmware with the official firmware linked on the support site (even though their live chat representative told me that the firmware file on the support site was not the official firmware and that ZTE would not allow support staff to share links or provide firmware files to consumers)

lastly if this was not a software firmware issue, then why is there an application on the playstore from a third party developer that can reset the message and shutdown function( this app requires ROOT access and a 30USD in app purchase to fully reset the issue with a free reset to make sure it will work for your device)

all of that being said If you look on the support site or ever android forums of all kinds you will find that many people have experienced this problem and have come to the same conclusion, albeit calling it planned obsolescence. while planned obsolescence is not currently illegal in the United States, Forcing someone to pay a fee to resume the proper operation of their device because they did not have you perform the repairs does not fall under the category of planned obsolescence it falls under the category of randsomware, which is 100% illegal in every jurisdiction in the world.

In my thought process of how to handle the situation i have come to the conclusion that before a class action suit can be filed against them successfully, unlocking the device/firmware/software/bootloader and physically finding and reversing the manner in which this was implemented will be necessary in providing enough evidence for a court to reach a verdict that shows ZTE USA intentionally designed software/firmware or the like in an unethical manner to defraud its customers of additional funds for a device to continue to operate in its intended function and reward refund damages to affected parties who have paid for such repairs, as well as require them to release a firmware/software update that removes the randsomware from the affected devices. in order to keep the current thread from being too cluttered from responses to this post, please PM me if you are interested in working on any of the projects intended to remedy these issues, if enough interest is found in this project we will create a dedicated thread for such projects, if there is not enough interest found i will work solo on the projects and it may be quite a while before relief from these issues is made available.