(Credit: Jacqueline Seng/CNET Asia)
SUNTEC, Singapore–We’ve seen Shanzhai iPhones and BlackBerries, but this has got to be a first: a Samsung Galaxy Note imitation.
While pounding the halls at the PC Show 2012 tech fair here, this writer noticed the familiar-looking supersize smartphone going for just $279 Singapore dollars ($218).
Upon closer inspection however, the “Note” was running Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), instead of Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) out of the box. More interestingly, the user interface seemed to be inspired by HTC’s Sense UI, with its “3D box effect” when scrolling through the home screens.
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The “Note” is actually Ainol’s Android phone, and, yes, it’s simply called the Android. This 3G handset comes with a mobile TV tuner and has dual-SIM capabilities.
It also has a 2,500mAh battery, although its 5-inch WVGA screen is slightly smaller than the Note’s 5.3 inches.
We like how the China-based Ainol has heaped extra features on its Samsung/HTC-inspired Android and slapped a $200 price tag on it. It’s probably not going to perform as well as the real thing, but for its price, no one’s going to complain.
(Source: Crave Asia)
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