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Samsung Kills the Cameras on the Galaxy Z Fold 3 If You Unlock the Bootloader

posted by martyb on Wednesday August 25 2021, @01:42AM   Printer-friendly
from the photo-bombed? dept.

owl writes:

https://www.xda-developers.com/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-3-unlock-bootloader-broken-camera/

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 represent the best foldable technologies that Samsung can provide to its consumers. Needless to say, if you are in the market right now for a premium smartphone, the latest Galaxy Z lineup will surely figure in your list as a possible purchase option. While the hardware and software combo make these devices great for most buyers, advanced users and enthusiasts might still feel the need to unlock the bootloader and root these devices to unleash their true potential. Unfortunately, Samsung already makes it extremely difficult to have root access without tripping the security flags, and now the Korean OEM has introduced yet another roadblock for aftermarket development. In its latest move, Samsung disables the cameras on the Galaxy Z Fold 3 after you unlock the bootloader.

[...] It is not clear why Samsung chose the way on which Sony walked in the past, but the actual problem lies in the fact that many will probably overlook the warning and unlock the bootloader without knowing about this new restriction. Re-locking the bootloader does make the camera work again, which indicates that it’s more of a software-level obstacle. With root access, it could be possible to detect and modify the responsible parameters sent by the bootloader to the OS to bypass this restriction. However, according to ianmacd, Magisk in its default state isn’t enough to circumvent the barrier.

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  • (Score: 5, Interesting) by fustakrakich on Wednesday August 25 2021, @02:11AM (3 children)

    by fustakrakich (6150) on Wednesday August 25 2021, @02:11AM (#1170624) Journal

    They kill their TVs too [blogspot.com] if they think you don't own it. Good way to kill the second hand market

    --
    La politica e i criminali sono la stessa cosa..
    Starting Score:    1  point
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    Total Score:   5  

  • (Score: 3, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 25 2021, @02:18AM (2 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 25 2021, @02:18AM (#1170625)

    Yeah, saw that story. They are just flexing on us now, reminding us we will own nothing. And we will be happy... or go to the fun camp where they will teach us to be happy. Or else.

    • (Score: 0, Offtopic) by Anti-aristarchus on Wednesday August 25 2021, @04:04AM (1 child)

      by Anti-aristarchus (14390) on Wednesday August 25 2021, @04:04AM (#1170659) Journal

      Could be worse. Could be a targeted soylentil, with no means of appeal. Or it could be Sony.

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 25 2021, @04:22AM

        by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday August 25 2021, @04:22AM (#1170666)

        True. Soylentils are pretty damn powerful.