Meizu iPhone clone makes long-awaited debut
updated 01:25 pm EST, Wed February 18, 2009
Meizu M8 ships to stores
Chinese maker Meizu has at last officially launched the M8, a phone widely seen as an attempt to clone Apple's iPhone. Though technically already available for a short space of time, the M8 has only now left testing status, losing Wi-Fi support, likely in accordance with Chinese law. An 8GB model is selling for 2,380 yuan ($348), while a 16GB version costs 2,880 yuan ($421).
Despite using Windows Mobile the phone attempts to clone many aspects of the iPhone's interface, from the layout of its dialing and Home screens to the structure of its web browser. Hardware features a 3.4-inch, 480x720 touchscreen though, along with a 3.2-megapixel camera and a removable battery. Audio support adds WMA, OGG, FLAC, APE and AMR to the standard MP3 and AAC, while compatible video formats include MPEG-4, WMV, DivX, XviD, H.264 and Flash.
The M8 suffered through an extended production period, having originally been announced shortly after the first iPhone, with an expected launch by the end of 2007. The device remained unreleased even after the debut of the iPhone 3G in 2008; Apple has, however, yet to complete a deal for a domestic Chinese product.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2007
Ee gads...
No wifi, Microsoft's engine, a bootlegged GUI, and Chinese quality -- and they want money for this?
Well, they'll probably find it. As Barnum famously said, there's a fool born every day.