| I've started to receive a lot of questions about the | | | | The only thing that it does require is that you use |
| 32GB Chinese version of the iPhone 3GS. I recently | | | | any GSM carrier. If you're going to compare apples to |
| had someone ask me if the overseas replica model | | | | apples and want to use AT&T with the clone |
| was better, at least in some ways, then the original. | | | | (even though this is not required,) you could use |
| This is a hard question to answer because the | | | | AT&T's GoPhone and get their unlimited talk and |
| considerations in providing an answer are so | | | | text plan for $60 per month without any |
| subjective. Some consumers are only going to be | | | | commitment. (You pay for this by the month.) Yes, |
| happy with the mainstream, "real" iPhone, while | | | | you still have to buy data, but they have feature |
| others only want the features rather than the original | | | | packages for this too and if you want a very large |
| logo. So, in the following article, I'm going to tell you | | | | amount of data (100MB) this is only $19.99. (There is |
| my opinion as to where the Chinese knock off is | | | | a cheaper package that offers less data for $4.99.) |
| arguably better than the original. | | | | Also, since this phone is dual sim, you can sometimes |
| Before I start, I do want to say that, for the most | | | | obtain cheaper data using prepaid sim cards that |
| part, these two phones are made the function in | | | | expire after a set amount of time. You won't need |
| much the same way. Both phones have the coveted | | | | to lose your phone number since you can have one |
| large touch screens that allow for you to get online | | | | sim just for the cheaper data, talk, or text for |
| and navigate your way around with your fingers. | | | | outgoing calls or web. |
| Both support email, Bluetooth, PDFs, messaging, | | | | Dual Sim Availability: Speaking of dual sim, this is, in |
| video, radio, music, and capturing photos and video. | | | | my opinion, the other feature that makes the clones, |
| Both can get online using WiFi if there are hot spots | | | | at least in my opinion, better than the original - at |
| available. If you are considering the user experience | | | | least if you have the need for and would make use |
| of the phones, most would agree that the Chinese | | | | of two sim cards. In real life situations, most people |
| version can do what the original can do. Those who | | | | will use this in one of two ways. Some will have one |
| really want the real deal might say that the U. S. | | | | line for work and another for personal business. |
| model accomplishes these things better, while those | | | | Some folks are lucky enough to have their work pay |
| that embrace the clones might argue this fact. | | | | for their business calls but then don't want to carry |
| However, as someone who generally likes the clones, | | | | two phones around when they want to use that |
| here is where I think the imports shine when | | | | same phone for personal use. Having two slots allows |
| compared to the original. | | | | for both things to happen on the same phone. |
| Costs Of Buying And Owning The Phone: If you are | | | | As I also have alluded to, many people will use one |
| comparing apples to apples and buying the 32GB | | | | slot in which to keep a personal number on which to |
| Chinese version of this phone, everyone knows that | | | | receive calls. They might use AT&T's GoPhone, |
| you will generally pay less for the knock off version | | | | T Mobile To Go, or any of the other cheaper GSM |
| of the phone. But honestly, I don't think that this | | | | services that might require a commitment. They will |
| initial cost is the deciding factor. What ultimately | | | | use this to receive calls on a number that they keep. |
| steers folks toward the phones from China, at least | | | | They will then take advantage of unlimited pre paid |
| in my opinion, is the monthly cost of owning the | | | | cards that you can sometimes find. This allows them |
| phone. As it stands right now, in order to buy the | | | | cheaper data, text and talk for outgoing calls and |
| U.S. version of this phone, you have to commit to a | | | | texts. And, there may be some months when you |
| two year contract from AT&T. If you want the | | | | are going to be a light user and won't need to buy |
| unlimited version (talk minutes and data) of this, it's | | | | anything additional. This just gives you the ability to |
| running $129.99 each month, as I understand it. My | | | | not pay for what you may not use, while keeping a |
| understanding is also that text is extra, but that's | | | | constant number which would still be a lower cost |
| pretty cheap at $20.00 per month for unlimited. Yes, | | | | than a contract. |
| you do go through a lot of minutes and data with | | | | I fully admit that the clones aren't for every |
| these phones, as their features sort of beg for | | | | consumer. People who like them are generally looking |
| regular use. But, this is a lot of money that you're | | | | to save money or use two sims. In terms of having |
| paying each and every month. | | | | the same features and a few extra benefits, I |
| The Chinese version does not require any contract. | | | | believe that they accomplish these things quite well. |