Hi David,
 

thank you for your response — but I’d like to formally request that TP-Link escalate this issue for reconsideration.
 

It’s extremely problematic that Bridge Mode — a fundamental networking feature already implemented in Deco OS — is missing only from Deco X50-5G Hardware Version 2, while both V1 and V3 fully support it. This inconsistency isn’t disclosed on the packaging, in datasheets, or on the product page. From a consumer standpoint, that’s misleading, because all revisions are sold under the same EAN and model name, giving buyers every reason to assume functional parity.
 

To illustrate, I contacted Galaxus . de, a major authorized TP-Link retailer, and received the following (Nov 6 2025):
 

“It is not guaranteed that hardware version 1 can be delivered. The manufacturer uses the same EAN codes for the different hardware versions. Versions 1.2, 2 and 3 are currently in circulation and can be mixed up due to different suppliers and deliveries.”

 

In practice, this means consumers have no way to identify or choose the hardware revision they are purchasing. Those who receive Version 2 are then limited to Access-Point Mode, which still performs NAT and routing internally — making it incompatible with setups that rely on an external firewall or router such as OPNsense, pfSense, UniFi, or MikroTik. In these environments, true Bridge Mode is essential for proper network segmentation, IP assignment, and performance consistency.
 

Since the function already exists in Deco OS for other revisions, this appears to be a purely software-level omission, not a hardware constraint. Under Directive (EU) 2019 / 770, which covers digital goods and firmware, manufacturers are obliged to maintain functional consistency and transparency for products sold under the same designation. Likewise, Directive 2005 / 29 / EC prohibits commercial practices that mislead consumers through omission of material information — including differences in functionality between hardware versions sold under identical identifiers.

 

Given that TP-Link has already received multiple requests for this functionality yet still reports that no implementation is planned, I must insist that this matter be escalated beyond community support to the responsible Deco product management or regional compliance team. The absence of Bridge Mode on Hardware Version 2, despite its availability on both V1 and V3, directly impacts interoperability and effectively restricts legitimate use cases the device is marketed for.

In light of this, I am requesting one of the following:
 

1. A formal reassessment of the internal decision not to add Bridge Mode to V2, including a transparent technical justification if it is genuinely impossible to implement via firmware; or,
    

2. A direct resolution pathway for affected customers, including myself — such as an exchange to a hardware revision that supports full Bridge Mode, handled either through TP-Link or its authorized retail partners.
    

I would appreciate confirmation from TP-Link on how I, as a registered customer with proof of purchase, can proceed with such a resolution or escalation.