Made-to-order cellphones: dubious quality included free of charge

If you're like us, you've probably brainstormed the "perfect" mobile phone in your head a couple hundred times, wishing you could just convince someone to make it for you. Well, now you've got your chance thanks to the unfortunately-named zzzPhone, which inspires fantasies of long naps rather than high-tech gadgetry. According to the company's website, you can build your own device made to order, using "the same high quality components as major brands Motorola, Nokia, Palm, and Samsung." Of course, the major brands don't offer you actual MP3 and video files pre-installed on your device -- which really makes our copyright sensors hit the red. Sure, the phone appears to emanate from a dubious Shenzhen-based manufacturer, but once you see all the succulent options available to you, your ethical concerns will melt away like ice cream on hot apple pie.

[Via Textually]

[Chebwa @ Feb 5th 2008 3:05PM]

Wasn't someone doing (or going to do) this with televisions too? I would be completely in for that.

[Fred @ Feb 5th 2008 3:14PM]

C'mon guys just let it go! Enjoy digital life! Is it really that hard?

[mappyg @ Feb 5th 2008 10:09PM]

i bought a phone incredibly similar to this in vietnam just the other week. it even has "DIGITAL LIFE" printed on the side, cost about $100 USD, and has a sweet touchscreen. nicer buttons tho :)

[TheCow5 @ Feb 5th 2008 3:16PM]

Well this may sound like a good idea but it’s still lacking in choices. As I can think of three other things I would like this phone to have.
Also That TV option, will it work after all signals go digital.
Mice try but still lacking.

[Junior @ Feb 5th 2008 3:51PM]

Yeah mice try.

[Chebwa @ Feb 5th 2008 4:43PM]

If you're going to be a prick about a typo, at least try for some humor or something.

[TheCow5 @ Feb 5th 2008 4:45PM]

lol, mice try lol

[Student Driver @ Feb 5th 2008 5:58PM]

Micely done.

[Les @ Feb 5th 2008 3:17PM]

I think this is really awesome, and hopefully we'll see more of this once the 700 spec sells.

I hope quality is good

[ReggieXuk @ Feb 5th 2008 3:19PM]

those shenzhen manufacturers will make anything you ask them to!

[laokoon2600 @ Feb 5th 2008 3:20PM]

hmm...
from the specs
Digital Cellular Technology: Tri-Band
Supported bands: Works Worldwide(except Europe)

[Anthony @ Feb 5th 2008 3:23PM]

What concerns me about that is it lists 800/850 as 1 band. Would that be correct?

I like a 7 megapixel camera. Tempted to buy one just to see the results. $250 would buy a very well-specked phone- though I think it would look like Frankenstein's monster based on the computer generated graphics they use.

[Hung @ Feb 5th 2008 5:04PM]

@ Anthony

800 is a band that was used on old cell networks. GSM phones use a frequency that lies somewhere between 825-850, which most people just call "850." For advertising reasons, manufacturers will list their phones as "800" to invoke nostalgia in old people. Don't worry too much about the frequency band. Worry that it doesn't have 3G or specify what WIFI protocol it uses.

*Well spec'd.

I admire your recognition that the monster belonged to Dr. Frankenstein and was not named Frankenstein.

[BowserUSC @ Feb 5th 2008 3:21PM]

Sounds cool if it's legit.

[Sean M. @ Feb 5th 2008 3:38PM]

no CDMA radio...oh well

[Badonkadonk @ Feb 5th 2008 9:22PM]

If it had CDMA that means it would have had to have been tested on the carrier's network at some point, ever. With GSM they can just sell it unlocked, with a "seems like it's close to specs" attitude, and if your carrier decides to block your IMEI because you keep screwing up their network? meh - not their problem.

[Montusama @ Feb 5th 2008 3:41PM]

Made to order?
First: i want it to run XP Pro
3" to 4" WS DVD Resolution Screen
16GB of Flash
An arrange of buttons, (so the touchscreen isn't the only interface)
For the inside, I suppose a mobile possible or a VIA possible will have to be the way, because of the power drain, also some sort of graphics, that as both a 2D and a 3D accelerator
A no so crappy external speaker, a 3.5mm headphone jack
bluetooth (including full stero) and Wifi b/g
a 5MP (though 7 would bebetter) with a REAL flash, and 3x optical zoom and not on a crappy CMOS give me CCD with abilities to record video (with optical zoom and audio) at VGA resolution

The dream home? or just me combining a DAP a PMP a Camera and a Phone with a UMPC-like abilities?

[shane @ Feb 5th 2008 6:50PM]

...Drools...

[Hooterman @ Feb 5th 2008 3:42PM]

I really love the idea behind this, but I'd rather see a reputable company doing this and pay a 10%-20% premium

[alvis @ Feb 5th 2008 3:59PM]

" I really love the idea behind this, but I'd rather see a reputable company doing this and pay a 10%-20% premium"

You mean 100-200% premium, right? No way they'd charge 20% more.

[Joshua Walters @ Feb 5th 2008 3:53PM]

LOL

I like how it says "Windows Mobile (or equal)"

[Craig B. @ Feb 5th 2008 3:53PM]

Ummmmmmmm, didn't anyone else get a kick out of the quote (via link) "All zzzPhones work anywhere in the world except for Europe." Similarly, my phone works anywhere in the universe exept where not supported by GSM towers using the appropriate frequency.

[T-Bone @ Feb 5th 2008 5:15PM]

It basically reads "Works anywhere in the world, except for the places you want to go or probably even live".

[Hooterman @ Feb 5th 2008 4:05PM]

The phone I configured was about $500. A 20% premium would make that $600. Maybe I'll give them 30% premium. But no way a company would expect people to pay $1,000+ for one.

Unless you spring for the diamond edged TrU-G0LD finish, which as we've seen on engadgetmobile lets you charge stupid amounts of money.

[Hooterman @ Feb 5th 2008 4:08PM]

meant to be @ alvis

[Fraggle.Rock @ Feb 5th 2008 4:18PM]

If you look at their site and all the options that are available, it's actually pretty cool.

Their press release states that they are trying to do what Dell did for the home and business PC market - by creating a more affordable, highly customizable mobile phone that is shipped directly from the manufacturer to the end user.

I'd like to know more about the company, but I'm very disappointed in their 30 day warranty... still, I'd be willing to give one of their phones a shot.

[goshone @ Feb 5th 2008 4:42PM]

I wish it was that easy to add a 7mpx camera (and processor) for a meager $95.
But wait, that might be a bit too expensive. Let's just say a 5 mpx cam ($39) and make it waterproof ($7), wow, I jsut saved like 50 bucks!!!!

lolz

[bacon @ Feb 5th 2008 5:05PM]

quite the cramped numeric keypad

[Hung @ Feb 5th 2008 5:09PM]

Shenzhen *offers* pre-installed music/movies/games/apps. The phone doesn't come defaultly installed with any of those. In fact, you have to pay to put them on there. The fact you have to pay outrageous prices ($1.69/MP3) and the manufacturer states that it will purchase the music first lends it some credit.

[kal326 @ Feb 5th 2008 5:35PM]

Huh, seems a bit fishy to me. Domain has only been up since Jan 5, 2008 and is set to expire Jan 5, 2009. One would think a legit business would opt for a bit more then a one year domain registration. If you interested in the details check out:
http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/results.jsp?domain=zzzphone.com

I wouldn't bother wasting $149 to see if its legit or not, but the old saying of you get what you pay for seems to sound pretty good right now.

[Miguel @ Feb 5th 2008 7:32PM]

and only a 30 day warranty on all their phones... thats not at all very much

[James @ Feb 5th 2008 8:04PM]

I know! Now I'm *really* curious to find out what "or equal" is. Homegrown OS with no third party support? There really is no "or equal" unless they have something that is binary compatible with windows mobile apps. Otherwise it should be more accurately: "Windows Mobile (J/K, not really, just some other old OS)". That's clearer.

[Badonkadonk @ Feb 5th 2008 9:22PM]

Linux with a WinMo-emulation? or a WinMo themed UI?

Or rather it's just a pirated copy of WinMo and they have to guess which version based on your configuration.

Or it's just s piece of paper with a print-out of WinMo screengrab instead of an actual LCD.

[JohnTitor @ Feb 5th 2008 9:43PM]

give me VGA screen and I give sale

[Cammerv8 @ Feb 5th 2008 10:57PM]

as you can see here we have a perfect chinesse touchscreen. thats the one you see in manyyyyyyyyyy KIRF here a on many chinesse ripoff cellphone!!!

[Gavin @ Feb 6th 2008 12:29AM]

Can someone please just get one and review it so we can all rest easy. I need a new phone and don't want to pay full retail (mine broke before 2 years)

[Nick Ritch @ Feb 6th 2008 3:31AM]

Ill get one after Android comes out. I hate Windows mobile.

[tekdemon @ Feb 6th 2008 4:31AM]

I love how you can get it gold plated with gold accents...lol
But oddly enough I kinda like it in bright red with the gold accents. Very Chinese.

[Zeek @ Feb 6th 2008 7:41AM]

Sounds a little like ZTE to me.

ZTE is a manufacturer of 'mobiles to order' and branded how you want them.

Australia's major carrier (Telstra) use them branded as the Telstra F156 and the Telstra F256 (flip version). Each with as much suck.

All of Australia are being dupped into signing onto 'NextG' network here by these cheap phones.

I have lots of returns and warranty forms to backup how USELESS they are (100+ from one location alone).

Morale: Be wary of these kinds of companies!

PS no I'm not a Nokia,SE fanboy (although I love my P910i :) , I'm just a retail mobilephone salesman.

[Gustavo @ Feb 6th 2008 1:28PM]

Hey, I have an office in China, and my assistant is currently in Hainan Island for Chinese New Year (she's actually from Haikou), where this company is located. I will ask her to give them a call after Feb. 12 (when some Chinese businesses start to work again) to check what they say in their headquarters. I can have the factory checked (if it's in Shenzhen) before the end of February, if the supplier is willing...
I am so intrigued by this...

[Neil Ryan @ Feb 7th 2008 12:34PM]

Ordered one then had doubts. Called the Vegas number on the paypal receipt and got the owner in China. He was surprised. Older gentelman. Sounds sincere.
Genuinely upset that some have called it a scam.
We'll see