Katie Marsal
Those eagerly anticipating next month's Macworld and the prospects of a smaller iPhone should beware, as a slew of tiny clones are introducing confusion as they reach store shelves.
The devices, spotted here by an AppleInsider reader in Thailand, are almost always designed to mimic Apple's products as closely as possible and share not only the basic design but the branding as well, in some cases directly copying the logo and the "iPhone" labeling on the back.
Their software is also at times familiar and carries a similar layout, down to icons ripped directly from Apple's interface.
Aside from obvious color changes such as splashes of gold or pink, these clones are (when switched off) close enough to the original that they may pass for an iPhone nano to the untrained eye. As such, readers should be on the lookout for such claims in the run-up to January's Macworld Expo.
However fake the Thai examples may be, though, it should be noted that the alleged XSKN case shares a noticeably different design than many of the clones in shops today — particularly a home button which sits directly on the edge of the touchscreen.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
56 Comments
As if it's an existing Apple product.
As if it's an existing Apple product.
If it isn't a lot of people will be disappointed!
On the otherhand one would have one excellent laugh if no iPhone came in January. Dave
The cloners are so fast, their clones come out before the original does? That's crazy!
However, I don't think the skin makers make skins for clones, only the real thing.
i think it's so interesting how these cloners can copy so quickly. i wonder if those fakes have the accelerometer and any multi-touch? or would these fakes only be similar in design and outer shell?
Those are not clones, those are COUNTERFEIT devices. A clone is an exact duplicate of the original. Those are made to intentionally deceive the buyer into thinking they are buying a real iPhone. Since it doesn't meet the exact dimensions of the iPhone, it should not be considered a clone. Motorola devices are often made by counterfeit vendors, but certain characteristics jump out confirming they are fake. I am sure all the products in the photos are also counterfeit items.
They just busted a huge counterfeit ring in Los Angeles and the article stated that most counterfeit goods come from Taiwan.