I was quite happy with this phone when I got it, even if the larger screen proved visually inferior to the phone it replaced: a BLU Life One X.

Just like with BLU, I took the promissory hype of eventually getting an Android update with a grain of salt.

HOWEVER, I at least assumed that ZTE was a more mature manufacturer aiming for long term profitability...before the BLU I owned the original ZMAX, a very stable phone with a very stable build. Responsive.

As was my preceding phone, the LG Motion. Poor lo-res screen paired with a snappy processor for the era, and a very stable and responsive LG build.

This ZMAX Pro has grown glitchier with each update, from b08 to b14 to b20...and lately my phone freezes constantly, especially when touching the screen. I have this thing stripped down, reboot regularly and run few apps. Few running or cached processes. Sometimes even hard rebooting gets delayed!

ZTE, what the hell do you have my phone now doing that has it so overtaxed?? Is it moonlighting for you in some giant botnet or spynet or spamnet? Is the idea to push users toward more premium products?

It's true: I think I want a more premium phone. it's gonna be a hardship for me (notice the budget phone history) but the original b08 build stripped of excess apps made my phone my go-to device even when my laptop is up n running.

I WAS getting a taste for that, but then ZTE seemed to show ZMAX Pro owners contempt with these unacceptably half-assed updates that lowered my phone's ability to function.

That is an insult, especially when ZTE so vexingly locks the bootloader and obstructs us from the rooting and improving of this phone ourselves.

ZTE delivers glitchy, curse-worthy updates AND prevents you from improving your own phone! Worst of all, this last and most damaging b20 "update" is declared to be the last they intend to release? THIS is where you're leaving us, ZTE? REALLY?!

I have to find a new app to get notices of phone calls and texts? Great product...not!

I'm excited about the One+ 5 coming out soon, or maybe one of the new Motos. Maybe even LG.

I can't imagine staying with a company that flaunts its contempt for me as a customer. I really had higher hopes for ZTE, but some things can only be remedied by competition.

 

Thanks guys, your insights are appreciated. I've been fighting the idea of a factory reset again...something almost always goes wrong and i lose something needed.

Worst of all, I don't know if the factory reset will fix my issues. This phone is now glitchier and more freeze-prone than when I posted this thread.

I'm rebooting several times a day! Arrrgh i hate you so much ZTE! HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO TURN MY LOVE TO HATE SO EASILY?!