Verizon is notorious for locking down the bootloaders on its phones and, unfortunately, the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S III is no exception. In a statement released to The Verge, Verizon confirmed that the Galaxy S III will ship with a locked bootloader. The wireless carrier explains its decision in the statement below:
Verizon Wireless has established a standard of excellence in customer experience with our branded devices and customer service. There is an expectation that if a customer has a question, they can call Verizon Wireless for answers that help them maximize their enjoyment and use of their wireless phone. Depending on the device, an open boot loader could prevent Verizon Wireless from providing the same level of customer experience and support because it would allow users to change the phone or otherwise modify the software and, potentially, negatively impact how the phone connects with the network. The addition of unapproved software could also negatively impact the wireless experience for other customers. It is always a delicate balance for any company to manage the technology choices we make for our branded devices and the requests of a few who may want a different device experience. We always review our technology choices to ensure that we provide the best solution for as many customers as possible.
Though the handset can be rooted fairly easily, unlocking the bootloader to allow the phone to accept a new ROM may prove to be more challenging. This is disappointing news for Android owners looking to customize their device by installing a new ROM, especially those hoping to get a flavor of Jelly Bean up and running on the handset.
[Via The Verge]