Before you flash: Flashing firmware will erase all data on your device. Back up contacts, photos, and apps before proceeding. FlashGuideHub is not responsible for any damage caused by following this guide.
About the ZTE Nubia N5S / Grand Memo 5S
The ZTE Nubia N5S / Grand Memo 5S was released in September 2013, built on the MediaTek MT6589 / MT6589T (28nm, 32-bit Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7) platform. Featuring a 5.7-inch 720p HD IPS screen, a 13 MP rear camera, and a 3200 mAh battery, the phablet family encompasses the 3G dual-mode N5S (P189F10) and the 4G LTE-capable N5L.
Flashing factory stock scatter firmware via MediaTek Smart Phone Flash Tool restores corrupt partitions, revives soft-bricked handsets, and restores clean Android 4.2.2 factory software. Follow the step-by-step driver setup and flashing instructions below to service your device safely.
Which Flash Mode Should You Use?
MediaTek PreLoader / BROM Flash Mode
Low-level factory flashing mode. Direct communication with the MediaTek MT6589 chipset to deploy partition blocks. Does not require an unlocked bootloader.
Stock Android Recovery Mode
Hardware recovery menu for executing factory data wipes, clearing cache partitions, or installing signed update.zip archives.
MediaTek Meta Mode (Factory Diagnostics)
Low-level hardware diagnostics protocol used by technician service boxes for NVRAM repairs, baseband calibration, and IMEI restoration.
What You Need Before Flashing
A PC running Windows with official MediaTek USB VCOM and PreLoader drivers installed.
Download the official scatter ROM for unbricking or the SD recovery update package matching your variant.
Ensure the 3200mAh battery has at least 35% charge to guarantee uninterrupted partition flashing.
Use a quality microUSB data cable connected directly to a rear USB 2.0 port on the computer motherboard.
Flashing stock firmware via SP Flash Tool completely erases all personal files and installed apps.
How to Flash the ZTE Nubia N5S / Grand Memo 5S — Quick Overview
A quick 5-step overview built specifically for the ZTE Nubia N5S / Grand Memo 5S. The full SP Flash Tool guide adds screenshots, progress tracking, and fixes for common errors.
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Install MediaTek USB VCOM Drivers
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Extract firmware archive to root C:\ drive
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Load MT6589_Android_scatter.txt in SP Flash Tool
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Connect powered-off phone to PC
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Wait for green "Download OK" confirmation
MT6589 Scatter File & Firmware Package for MediaTek MT6589
Official factory firmware for the ZTE Nubia N5S (model P189F10) is built around the MT6589_Android_scatter.txt partition map. Loaded inside MediaTek Smart Phone Flash Tool (SP Flash Tool), this configuration writes raw image binaries (boot.img, recovery.img, system.img, secro.img, and preloader) directly to the internal eMMC flash memory.
MT6589_Android_scatter.txt
Official factory unbrick firmware for the ZTE Nubia N5S utilizes MT6589_Android_scatter.txt. In SP Flash Tool, click "Scatter-loading" to load this text file, which automatically populates all raw eMMC partitions.
The ZTE Nubia N5S and Grand Memo N5L phablets are engineered on the MediaTek MT6589 architecture with 1 GB RAM, 8 GB eMMC, and 3200 mAh batteries.
Ensure you verify your hardware model suffix before flashing. SP Flash Tool scatter packages flash low-level partitions directly, while SD recovery packages require an intact recovery menu and a FAT32-formatted microSD card.
ZTE Nubia N5S / Grand Memo 5S Firmware Versions
Tested stock firmware packages for confirmed hardware models of the ZTE Nubia N5S / Grand Memo 5S family. Verify your device model variant before flashing.
| Version | Region | Android Version | Size | MD5 | Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
03112015_4.2.2 |
ZTE Nubia N5S / P189F10 — Factory Default | Android 4.2.2 (MiFavor UI) | 370 MB | — | ⬇️ Download |
N5LV1.0.0B05 (275560B1181) |
ZTE Grand Memo N5L — China Telecom (LTE Edition) | Android 4.2.2 (MiFavor UI) | 491 MB | 7b086a665e9ab5fd4e6e446f3b1b3bce |
⬇️ Download |
This device family includes 3 official packages across SP Flash Tool factory scatter ROMs and China Telecom SD recovery updates. Browse the complete 3-package archive on AndroidFirmwareFile.com →
ZTE Nubia N5S / Grand Memo 5S — Important Notes
Flashing this official factory scatter firmware repairs deep system bootloops, restores corrupt Android framework partitions, and revives software-bricked handsets.
If your device fails to be detected upon USB insertion, disconnect the battery connector momentarily (or perform a 15-second hard power press), hold the Volume Down button, and reconnect the microUSB cable to re-trigger the MediaTek PreLoader USB VCOM handshake.
Troubleshooting ZTE Nubia N5S SP Flash Tool & MT6589 Flashing Errors
BROM ERROR: S_FT_ENABLE_DRAM_FAIL (4032)
Typically occurs when SP Flash Tool fails to initialize the handset DRAM controller. Community repair technicians recommend using SP Flash Tool v5.1352, ensuring the 3200mAh battery has adequate charge, and verifying that the loaded preloader binary matches the MT6589 motherboard hardware.
BROM ERROR: S_COM_PORT_OPEN_FAIL (1013)
Indicates the computer USB port was interrupted before the MediaTek Boot ROM (BROM) handshake completed. Technicians suggest switching to a USB 2.0 port, replacing worn microUSB cables, and disabling aggressive antivirus scanners that lock COM ports.
SP FLASH TOOL ERROR: (8038) PMT changed for the ROM; it must be downloaded
Occurs when existing eMMC partition boundaries on the phone conflict with the scatter file addresses. Repair discussions recommend switching flashing mode from "Download Only" to "Firmware Upgrade" to allow SP Flash Tool to update the Partition Management Table cleanly.
For in-depth MediaTek BROM error explanations, USB VCOM troubleshooting, and SP Flash Tool error code resolutions: SP Flash Tool Error Directory →
Frequently Asked Questions — ZTE Nubia N5S / Grand Memo 5S
Modern SP Flash Tool builds (such as v5.18xx and v5.19xx) may fail to parse older MT6589 scatter files, returning "Scatter file format error". For the MT6589 platform, technicians recommend using SP Flash Tool v5.1352 or SP Flash Tool v3.1332.
Repeated connection and disconnection in Device Manager indicates that the MediaTek PreLoader handoff timed out. Ensure MediaTek USB VCOM drivers are correctly installed, try holding Volume Down while inserting the USB cable, and connect directly to a rear motherboard USB 2.0 port.
If your device still vibrates, turns on, or reaches a boot logo, uncheck PRELOADER in SP Flash Tool. Flashing only boot, recovery, and system partitions repairs software bootloops safely without risking bootloader corruption.
Error 8038 happens when the partition table layout stored on the phone eMMC differs from the scatter file. If "Download Only" gives this error, switch the dropdown to "Firmware Upgrade". Avoid "Format All + Download" unless you have backed up your NVRAM parameters.
Ready to Flash?
Follow the full step-by-step SP Flash Tool guide with interactive progress tracking, prerequisite checklist, and complete troubleshooting.