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Apple Watch Lookalikes Selling in China for Less Than a Tenth the Price

Apple Watch Lookalikes Selling in China for Less Than a Tenth the Price

By Indo-Asian News Service | Updated: 13 March 2015 17:01 IST

Shortly after the launch of Apple Watch, imitation products are on sale in south China's Shenzhen City, a hub for copycat manufacturing.

In the Huaqiangbei mall, smartwatches named "U Watch" or "D Watch" boasting similar look and function to Apple Watches are being sold at around CNY 200 (approximately Rs. 2,000) each, less than one-tenth of the price of the cheapest Apple Watch, Xinhua news agency reported.

There is no Apple logo appearing on the products. The Chinese versions resemble the American one in appearance, but most have crude workmanship.

The Chinese version can receive calls, use text messaging and has a music player. However, features such as popular messaging apps WeChat and QQ are absent.

Some sellers say the products resemble Apple Watch more in their appearance than performance.

Such products have been sold online since January.

Some sellers at Huaqiangbei said an improved iOS-friendly version is being produced. The new products will enter the market next month and be sold at about CNY 400 (approximately Rs. 4,000) each.

Huangqiangbei has been a grey market notorious for selling copycat electronic products. In recent years, it has been declining as a "Shanzhai", copycat, hotbed and becoming a paradise for innovators, as a result of Chinese people's heightened intellectual property protection awareness and increasing interest in innovating.

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