I may have received a Z5 Compact "prototype". Could this be preventing me from updating to 7.1.1?

[tmccullough1251]

In December 2018 I purchased an Xperia Z5 compact on ebay listed in new condition. In May, I dropped it and completely broke the touchscreen, so I replaced it with another new one on ebay, this time from a different seller.

As far as I can remember, the first one, the one that broke, had  Android 7.1.1. In fact it even shipped with (what I remember being) Android 7.1.1. My current phone shipped with Android Lollipop, and I successfully updated it all the way to 7.0, but just can't obtain 7.1.1 for whatever reason. It also shipped with some strange Polish apps that I've since deleted. My new phone shows that I can download 7.1.1, and will even let me, but when the phone reboots to install the update, after a few moments it restarts and states that the Xperia system update could not install. I have tried using Xperia companion for the software update and for software repair, neither of which work. I've tried this on multiple computers and for each the companion software states it "could not check for update" and "software repair error". I made sure the firewall settings allowed Xperia Companion.

I'm wondering if this has anything to do with the notion that my phone is what I believe to be a prototype. I say this because the first time I booted up my new phone it told me that I was required to share usage information to Sony because it is a "prototype" device. Its IMEI is. I don't recall my first Z5c prompting the same message upon startup, but then again I don't remember for sure.

Other than this, I'm actually quite satisfied with my phone. It's fast and has good battery life like my old one, and android 7.0 is nice. It seems pretty much the same as 7.1.1, but I still would like to have the latest update. So my next question is, should I be concerned if my device is a "prototype"? If so, is there any way to remove its prototype status without rooting it? Should I open a dispute on ebay saying the phone wasn't sold as advertised? Or is it okay, and there's an unrelated reason why my phone won't update? 

Thanks in advance for any replies and suggestions.

edit: personal information removed

[Jonas]

Hi @tmccullough1251, welcome to our forum!

I removed the IMEI number from your post as this is personal information and that is not allowed to be posted here on the forum.

From what I can see, the Xperia Z5 Compact you bought is the Japanese version of the device, and not the Global version that is launched in other markets and at some point a Polish version of the software has been flashed/installed in the device.

The device is however not a prototype, it's a genuine Xperia device, at least from what I can see and the IMEI does not indicate it should be a prototype either.

It's a bit of a tricky situation and if I were in your shoes, I would get in touch with eBay to file a dispute if the device was advertised as completely normal Xperia Z5 Compact and it did not mention it was the Japanese version of the device.

There was a small hiccup with Xperia Companion last week that affect both Software update and Software repair, so you can always download the latest version from the link below and see if it works better with that one.

https://support.sonymobile.com/global-en/xperia-companion/

I hope my answer sheds some light on the situation!

[tmccullough1251]

Hello,

Thank you for your response. I didn't know the IMEI was to be confidential but thank you for editing it out. I did uninstall Xperia Companion and re-install the latest version, but still had the same problems with my Z5C when trying to perform software repair and update.

Also, what makes you think my device is the Japanese version (SO-02H)? In the "about phone" section it tells me it is model number E5823, which I believe is a global variant. Additionally, I checked its IMEI on imei24.com and the website confirmed it is a Z5C E5823.Furthermore, my device works flawlessly with my Red Pocket GSMA plan (AT&T network). From what I gather online, the Japanese variant would only work on one 3G and one 4G band on the AT&T network, instead of multiple as with the E5823. I wouldn't want to file a dispute on Ebay unless I know for sure it is a Japanese Model and/or I was being misled. Especially if the only real issue I have with it is that it mysteriously won't update from Android 7.0 to 7.1.1.

[Jonas]

Hi again @tmccullough1251, sorry for the late reply, I have been out of office due to vacation.

As far as I know, if you flash the device with a different software, the information in "About phone" will display the model number that is "linked" to the software, for example in your case, in Poland the E5823 is released and since this is the software version flashed in the device, this will be displayed and not the Japanese model number (SO-02H).

I haven't used that website myself, but when I check the IMEI in my system, it both shows up as an SO-02H and says "Japan" under Sold to country and I trust my own system more than a website since I can see that it was the Japanese SW to start with and then it was flashed with a different software (Polish).

I don't have any information regarding the supported bands and so forth for the Japanese version of the device since I don't work directly with that market and don't have access to the specification sheets.

It's of course up to you regarding the dispute, but all the red lights are blinking at my end at least, even though the website says otherwise and it works with AT&T when it's supposed to not work.

Feel free to keep me posted!