A Sony employee holds a Sony Xperia Z3 and a Sony Smartband Talk during the IFA Electronics show in Berlin September 4, 2014
A Sony employee holds a Sony Xperia Z3 and a Sony Smartband Talk during the IFA Electronics show in Berlin September 4, 2014. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke

Unlocking the bootloader enables root access and installation of custom ROMs or apps. But Sony Mobile updated the policy on high-end devices running the recent software version that includes Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact.

Unlocking The Bootloader Of Sony Xperia Z3 And Xperia Z3 Compact

Users must know that unlocking the bootloader of Sony Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact imposes several risks including one of the most important features installed—the camera. Sony Mobile confirms 100 percent possibility of unlocking the bootloader, but the company also notified users that doing so will degrade camera quality in addition to removal of the DRM keys.

XDA member DooMLoRD posted the link of the website via Twitter to notify Sony Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact users worldwide about the new bootloader policy. Here is a line included in the new policy:

"For high-end devices running recent software versions, for instance Xperia Z3, the removal of DRM security keys may affect advanced camera functionality," posted by Sony Mobile.

In case a Sony Xperia Z3 device has been unlocked already, several issues are likely to happen that defines the degradation of camera image quality. At least four camera functionalities could malfunction:

1. Noise algorithms

2. Effectiveness on low-light conditions

3. Access to the secure user data partition

4. Retrieval of future official software updates.

How Bad Is The Degradation On The Camera?

XDA Developer Forum website confirmed working and malfunctioning areas on Sony Xperia Z3 after the bootloader has been unlocked. Several apps are affected included audio engines, display engines and device syncing:

A. Confirmed Working

1. TrackID

2. Timeshift camera

3. Face-in camera

4. Surround Settings

5. ClearAudio+

6. BIONZ Engine

B. Confirmed Not Working

1. BRAVIA engine

2. X-Reality engine

3. Super Vivid engine

4. Advanced camera algorithms including low-light processing

5. S-Force Front Surround Sound

6. Miracast

7. MirrorLink

8. Sony Entertainment Media including Music Unlimited and Videos Unlimited

Other apps remain unknown at this time such as Sony Triluminos engine, other camera modes, DSEE HX audio engine, Digital Noise Cancellation, headphone settings and Hi Resolution audio engine. Unfortunately, no resolutions yet on how to make these broken apps work again once the bootloader has been unlocked, and it is unconfirmed if relocking will restore the broken apps.