Zenfone 8 bricked after OS update

[VKWONG1968]

Just today (20 Nov 2023, around 4pm local time at GMT +8, Malaysia), my Zenfone 8 indicated that a new Android version is available for download. I downloaded it and when prompted for a reboot, I proceed to do so. The Zenfone 8 has been bricked since then.

It won't accept charging, will not reboot regardless whatever combination of button presses. How to force a restart short of bringing the phone to the local authorised service center?

I love the Zenfone series, have been a Zenfone user since the Zenfone 2. However, I may change my mind.....

[jgrady]

 I installed the update about an hour ago and my phone is bricked too. Is there any solution for this? Yowl!

[Falcon_ASUS]

@jgrady 
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Please check the top right corner and kindly share the serial number and details requested in the PM inbox.
Thank you.

[nasch007]

Yeah it seems ASUS is putting out subpar software here. My phone installed the update and now my screen flickers with black squares and parts of the navigation bar show up randomly around the screen. I made a thread here: https://xdaforums.com/t/is-anyone-else-having-display-issues-artifacts-flickering-post-326-ota-updat... There's also other people that the update isn't even installing for them: https://xdaforums.com/t/ota-update-326-keeps-failing.4641774/ 

I already chatted with ASUS support on the website (read conversation here: https://xdaforums.com/t/is-anyone-else-having-display-issues-artifacts-flickering-post-326-ota-updat...) and they were of no help. This is absolutely pitiful. ASUS just let us unlock our own bootloaders already. The scene can do much better software than you can, apparently. Am I really supposed to send in my phone for a THIRD time?

[jgrady]

Get this.

My phone is bricked from the update. I called the customer services to arrange a repair. They've told me because it's out of warranty I have to take it to a customer service centre as they can't do a collect and return repair, that's only for in warranty phones. So I have to go to the nearest service centre, which is about 70 miles away.

I tried over and over to explain that since ASUS deployed something that destroyed my phone it seems obvious they should fix it and the warranty is irrelevant.

But no. It's 6 months out of warranty so it's not ASUS's responsibility.

This company is insane.

Absolutely unbelievable....

[VKWONG1968]

Update from my visit to the local Asus Authorised Service Center..... The people from the service center told me that my phone's motherboard is toast, ie damaged, and they can't even access the board to do anything. So, ASUS, for your info, the Zenfone 8 will be my LAST ASUS phone, no more, never will be there another Asus phone for me. Mind you, I have used the Zenfone series since Zenfone 2. EXTREMELY disappointed with the current Asus quality.....