Apple: You can keep your iPhone!!!

[longsuffering]

It looks like we'll soon have an alternative - an unlocked alternative at that!

Meet the Meizu Minione M8. Does it look at all familiar?



It will work on any GSM network and have a removable/replacable battery like a cell phone should.

Here's what CNET Asia had to say about it:
http://asia.cnet.com/blogs/littlered...tm?id=62026256

And just look at the prices!
Anticipated pricing for the Meizu Minione:

• 4GB model: About 2,000 Chinese RMB (approx. US$263)
• 8GB model: About 2,500 Chinese RMB (approx. US$328)
• 16GB model: About 3,500 Chinese RMB (approx. US$460)

If nothing else, having a Chinese competitor may encourage Apple to rethink their marketing strategy and offer unlocked versions of their phones, or at least roll them out to new markets more quickly.

[photon]

I've been following this phone for a while and it looks very cool. Those prices are a bit on the low side now, the 4GB model looks like it's going to be more around $380, but that's still a good deal if the phone does what they say it will do and it's good quality.

[chris lindberg]

I wonder how long until they begin making them with bigger screens, 3.2 & 3.5 is pretty small.

[photon]

To have a bigger screen the phone would have to be bigger. As it is the screen is pretty impressive with a 720x480 resolution.

A good site for this phone:

http://www.meizume.com/

[Table 5]

the iphone screen doesnt have to be bigger, its fine. Ive had a chance to play around with these phones quiet a bit, and making it any bigger would be somewhat cumbersome for pockets etc.

competition is always good for this type of technology though...hopefully it brings the apple price down.

[chris lindberg]

How about making the whole face of the front cover a part of the screen, anyone think this will happen down the road?

[STeeLy]

I've heard lots of user comments on Meizu products. I don't know if I trust them enough. They are quite cheap but they model everything after apple... not that it is a bad thing. However, their products are defective, breakdown easily...

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by longsuffering

It looks like we'll soon have an alternative - an unlocked alternative at that!

As was widely reported yesterday, the iPhone itself has been unlocked. The linked site shows service from TMobile US, so not sure what that would mean for us here in Canada.

[Barnes]

Windows CE software, Chinese hardware. Throw in some earbuds and a charger from Russia and you'll have quite the phone.

[longsuffering]

Originally Posted by Barnes

Windows CE software, Chinese hardware. Throw in some earbuds and a charger from Russia and you'll have quite the phone.

The way I look at it, anything that encourages Apple to sell unlocked versions of their phone and/or bring it to Canada, is welcome news.

BTW - where do you think iPhones are built?

[I-Hate-Hulse]

If Apple will sue the pants off it's own rabid fanbase, I'm pretty sure they'll tie up Meizu in lawyers forever anywhere outside of Asia.

[Dan02]

Originally Posted by longsuffering

BTW - where do you think iPhones are built?

iVillage

Duh.

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by longsuffering

The way I look at it, anything that encourages Apple to sell unlocked versions of their phone and/or bring it to Canada, is welcome news.

BTW - where do you think iPhones are built?

They are built by Foxconn in China. They are designed, engineered, and tested in California.