Copycat "hiPhone 5" Surfaces In China

hypnosec writes "A fake iPhone 5, inspired by the leaked images of the device, has been discovered to be on sale in China. The quality of the hiPhone 5 varies with the price, with the most premium version of the device being available for 800 yuan or £76. The device reportedly comes in red and pink. Chinese media is reporting that the fake iPhone 5 is thinner than the iPhone 4 and comes with round edges. Other reports are claiming that the device is extremely light and almost feels like that one is holding a plastic toy. The reports are likely based on some images that were leaked by the supply chain." Since they're going to the trouble of building counterfeit stores, the knock-off phones shouldn't surprise anyone.

Re:Commentary on the Dollar?

[siddesu]

As to the "thieving", you should remember that US was involved in a large-scale theft of "intellectual property" from the rest of the world until the harmonization of copyright laws post WWII. Which harmonization happened because at that time US authors asked the US government for it. The same thing will eventually happen in China, when they amass enough "intellectual property" they want to make money from. Give them another 20 years.

None of you have actually seen or used it

[chanchao]

As a comment from a person who has actually bought one as a gimmick, I can tell you that it wouldn't fool the blind. It is simply NOT a copy of the real thing. They are typically Android phones, or some pen-based phone OS, with an external design that looks like an iPhone. As soon as you use it however, it's really very clear what it is.

The only good thing I can say about them is that they come with a TV app.. ;) You can watch TV on them, there's typically an extendible antenna. (Yes, analog free to air TV still exists in Asia).

Sorry to burst bubbles, but there is nothing innovative about them. They're cheap cheap phones with a TV, and a case looking like an iPhone. And this makes journalists think that there is a story.

Same for the allegedly fake Apple store: Newsflash: Apple products are legally sold in non-Apple stores all over the world. This is simply a legal reseller of actual Apple products who went the extra mile of decorating his store in an Apple style. Oh the horror. :rolleyes:

Hiphone phones have been out for a while

[Animats]

There have been Hiphone phones for years now. The first one wasn't very good, but by the Hiphone 4, they were getting halfway decent reviews.

It doesn't integrate with Apple's overpriced ecosystem. It's a straightforward unlocked GSM smartphone. And, unlike with Apple, you can replace the battery.