Sharper Image selling self-branded cellphones

Many of us know The Sharper Image best as a purveyor of massaging lounge chairs (which makes their stores a must-stop location in the mall), a chronic pusher of ozone generators, and as a perennial favorite in SkyMall catalogs as we bide our time on the redeye. What we don't know The Sharper Image for, though, is its broad selection of no-name phones procured from Chinese manufacturers. We just happened to be flipping through TSI's latest catalog today and came across these four little gems, three with "The Sharper Image" proudly emblazoned across their faces. The pack includes a touchscreen equipped Chocolate knockoff (very 2006, but still quite strapping), a branded version of the AMOI N810 Windows Mobile 6 Professional device, a black slider that looks like death incarnated, and an ultra-generic silver clamshell that looks straight out of the early part of this decade. The good news is that they're all unlocked and range from a very reasonable $169.95 to $499.95; the bad news, however, is that you may have to keep your thumb over the TSI logo to keep the public mockery to a minimum.

Gallery: Sharper Image selling self-branded cellphones

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[David W. @ Dec 30th 2007 6:40PM]

they all look horrible...haha

[Alex @ Dec 30th 2007 6:43PM]

Instead of vibrating, the phone will start massaging your leg while its in your pocket.

[Galley @ Dec 30th 2007 7:14PM]

It's not my leg that needs "messaging"!

[Carlos @ Dec 30th 2007 7:05PM]

who at Sharper Image made this deal? Those are some ugly, over priced crap phones - I feel sorry for anyone who buys one.

Its fine to make money but I think its going a little too far when companies like Sharper Image sell garbage phones they managed to buy in bulk from China to unsuspecting middle aged technophobes that think they are getting a good product for the ridiculous asking price.

[Michael LaFramboise @ Dec 30th 2007 7:07PM]

So umm... do these at-least clean the air when next to your ear?

[CubeGuy @ Dec 30th 2007 7:28PM]

I wish you hadn't linked to that article about the air purifiers. They have new guards built in that release oxygen instead of ozone. The article makes it seem like they haven't changed. =/

[av8or @ Dec 30th 2007 7:35PM]

so you can get craptacular phones for too much money, to use on some of the crappiest of service providers in the states? bravo! just took a gander at the slider one and it only supports 1g sd cards

[Backlin @ Dec 30th 2007 7:52PM]

I was just getting ready to say that. Google RAZR V2 Luxury Edition. THAT'S an outrageously expensive phone.

[Matt666 @ Dec 30th 2007 7:47PM]

will any of these work with verizon?

[Nathaniel @ Dec 30th 2007 8:37PM]

Whats funny is TSI says you can, but since they are all GSM the answer is of course No. (someone should really put up a scan of the overall description page for a laugh.)

[Davef01 @ Dec 30th 2007 7:54PM]

holy ass,


wow, these phones look nasty as f**k
















i like the comment that says that instead of vibrating, they'll massage your leg. lol

thats a good one :D

[Junior @ Dec 30th 2007 10:00PM]

whats with the extra space

[Bobs @ Dec 31st 2007 1:53AM]

th at s a goo d qu e s t io n .

[jamma @ Dec 31st 2007 6:02AM]

He's obviously just thinking aloud

[Ryan Trevisol @ Dec 30th 2007 8:21PM]

They should change their name to Sharper Fail and get it over with.

[phil @ Dec 30th 2007 9:27PM]

Sharper Image is now owned by its creditors and some forgettable investment company. The founder, Richard Thailheimer was kicked out earlier this year. They don't have a clue about consumer electronics. These phones are junk like their iPod accessories with their blinking colored LEDs. They seem to be attracted to buying the crap that's on sale in the bazaars in Shenzhen and think their customers can't tell. I suggest they wander into an Apple store or phone store to see what really sells. Too bad, because Sharper Image used to introduce us to some of the latest technologies first.

[Ogo2k @ Dec 30th 2007 9:45PM]

yes yes yes, they are all fuck ugly and expensive, but i think a third party selling unlocked phones is pretty badass. Now all we need are some quality phones from a less laughable merchant.

[Rickhamilton620 @ Dec 30th 2007 11:00PM]

Actually Dell's been selling unlocked phones for a while.

[Ogo2k @ Dec 31st 2007 1:49AM]

That's cool, i think i'm free from blame for not checkin out the dell catalogue.

[Junior @ Dec 30th 2007 9:57PM]

It would look better(maybe)if the name wasnt so long

[derX @ Dec 30th 2007 11:04PM]

YAY!! VGA cameras on marginal phones!

Unless those devices double as massagers (I'm not going to even get into that one) or air purifiers:

TSI, seriously, you phail big time.

[the_boo @ Dec 30th 2007 11:36PM]

This is old news, just check their early november catalog.

[Americruzano @ Dec 31st 2007 4:22AM]

I'm not going to write these off just yet. The way the service providers cripple thier phones, these may actually be worth checking out. When do we get reviews for them?

[Z @ Dec 31st 2007 5:04AM]

Here's a piece of excellent advice to anyone who's thinking of buying a Sharper Image branded or made item:

"Avoid it like the plague!"

The end.


And I'm not talking about things they carry that are made by Canon, Panasonic, etc., etc. I'm talking about things that Sharper Image designs and makes themselves. Those things are the most worthless hunks of crap they put out, and all the items break in three or four months. Sharper Image branded or made items? STAY AWAY at all costs.

[jeff @ Dec 31st 2007 8:47AM]

Since TSI took legal action against Consumer Reports when CR panned their air 'purifiers', I refuse to deal with them. I'm a bit dismayed that any publication would continue to cover their products after their assault on the Bill of Rights.

[T H @ Dec 31st 2007 12:33PM]

What was the former CEO's name? Richard PHAILheimer?

By the way Chris.. it's "death incarnate".. no past tense on that one.

[Russell @ Dec 31st 2007 10:55PM]

These or some of them have been in the last few Sharper Image Catalogs.

[Futurama @ Jan 1st 2008 1:18PM]

$499 for a smartphone with GPS built in seems pretty good. Anyone know who actually makes it?

[uShak @ Jan 2nd 2008 4:03AM]

I was actually in one a couple days ago

I was looking at my tilt and comparing the WM6 device... the price was good (299) but then I found out it had no wifi.

It was also funny because the box for it just said something like UNLOCKED UNIVERSAL PHONE JUST STICK IN YOUR SIM CARD as like the title of the product.

[c518335 @ Jan 3rd 2008 8:14PM]

Not all of those phones are made in China. The Slider is made by Alcatel (Cellatel.com). Alcatel is a high quality European based manufacture. One of my friends got the slider phone. It's GREAT! The picture quality is pretty good. But the sound quality of the music player is fantastic (the main focus of the phone, besides messaging).