Chinese knock-off clone appears ahead of actual 'iPhone 5'
updated 01:30 pm EDT, Wed August 29, 2012
Counterfeit based on published images, leaks, may be fake
A Chinese counterfeiter has allegedly released an Android-based knock-off of the alleged "iPhone 5" design even before its inspiration has actually been released -- or even announced. The "Goophone i5" features the same two-tone back panel, buttons and style of the proposed "iPhone 5" design, but uses a 3.5-inch screen unlike the rumored 4-inch screen Apple is allegedly using in its next model and with a noticeably inferior build quality.
The clone phone is said to feature a MT6575 ARM Cortex 1GHz processor, a 5MP rear camera and a 1.3MP front camera along with 512MB of RAM -- much lower specs than are found in the current and proposed future iPhone models. The compromises and build quality could be aimed at keeping the cost down as much as possible, luring in Chinese users who might otherwise be unable to afford an iPhone.
A French Mac enthusiast site, NowhereElse.fr first published some pictures, which reveal that the "back panel" featuring an insect-like Android-style logo may be a stuck-on piece rather than a permanent part of the body of the device. Some have commented that the photos seem like a redressed version of the iPhone 4S rather than an actual shipping product. The Goophone pictures, taken against a wood table background, do not show the device turned on -- which could suggest that the device is a nonfunctional prototype. [via NowhereElse.fr]
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Joined: 07-10-08
It runs Android Honeycomb - so it's actually more advanced than iOS!