The Sony Xperia Z1, also called the Honami, is only available in select markets like India and the United Kingdom, but a potentially huge problem has been revealed for those looking to unlock the bootloader for the newly unveiled device. Sony has announced via its support page that unlocking the bootloader for the device will cause the camera to stop functioning.
Considering the biggest feature of the Xperia Z1 is the massive 20.7-megapixel camera with the Sony G Lens, if the camera's not working, the Xperia Z1 loses its most distinctive selling point. The Xperia Blog is reporting that the only way to avoid this problem is to make sure that the user backs up the TA partition before unlocking the bootloader, which is responsible for the DRM keys for Sony. Users will then have to restore their Xperia Z1 as necessary, but this will cause the bootloader to relock.
Most smartphone manufacturers do not normally support processes such as unlocking a bootloader, as they do not feel the need to support a process that could potentially turn the smartphone into an expensive brick. Sony is one of the few manufacturers to support the process, and it is good to hear that they have put out the warning to owners of the device who may have considered unlocking the bootloader and putting a custom ROM onto the Xperia Z1. It is unclear if Sony is working on a solution to the problem, or what exactly is the problem with the process that's causing the camera to cease functioning.
It is unknown when the Sony Xperia Z1 will be launched in the United States, or for what price, as the international models of the phone range in price greatly. The Xperia Z1 has a 2.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, with 2GB of RAM. Along with the 20.7-megapixel camera that comes with the smartphone, the device will have a 5-inch display capable of delivering a Full HD experience. Despite not being out yet in North America, the Xperia Z1 already has a potential successor in the works called the Z2 or Avatar. It is unclear when users can expect to get their hands on that device, but the rumors indicate that it may make an appearance at CES 2014.
Look out for more news about the Sony Xperia Z1 and Z2 right here as the Z1 rolls out and more details about the Z2 emerge.