Meizu M8 now on sale? Doubtful.

Given the sheer bulk of press Meizu's M8 has received over the course of its young, controversial life, it'd seem likely that even the slightest trickle of units onto Chinese store shelves would lead to unboxing shots, videos, and reviews within hours, wouldn't it? Reports are starting to flow across the 'nets that M8s are now being made available through several of Meizu's suppliers, but without a single in-the-wild picture of a fully functional, final spec unit -- from Meizu, much less a paying customer -- we're not buying it. For one thing, there aren't any "zomg I just picked up my m8!" posts on MeizuMe; secondly, MeizuMe's Err0r says that his site will be the "first place" we read about a release (and frankly, we believe him); and third, after the trials and tribulations the handset has gone through on its long journey to retail, you'd think that we'd at least see it at a trade show before it hit the streets. So, anyone want to prove us wrong by posting shots of their M8?

[Fatima @ Feb 9th 2008 2:00PM]

You guys gave way too much coverage of this rip off gadget.

[BrianB @ Feb 9th 2008 2:41PM]

I always thought meizume was an independent blog. Looks like they are too close to the Meizu top bosses to be independent. Anyway, this came out due to our post on the M8 being on Alibaba for wholesale.

http://www.pmptoday.com/2008/02/08/meizu-m8-phone-on-sale-at-alibaba/

I hope Err0r clarifies three things: 1) is he a official spokesperson of Meizu, 2) are the suppliers at Alibaba hoaxes, 3) why doesn't he lighten up. The device (M8) has done nothing but disappoint us. Apple will probably go after the company if it launches the phone outside China. And he should know and Engadget readers know, as a genre, iPhone clones have been milked to a long-winded and withering death. So what gives?

[BrianB @ Feb 9th 2008 2:44PM]

Fatima, waiting for the replier from these suppliers from Alibaba.

@Err0r - go over to alibaba and search Meizu M8. Jack Wong must have been talking to other people too.

[MD @ Mar 3rd 2008 3:43PM]

I am a distributor of Meizu. They sent me this E mail two days ago...

I would like to inform that we are going to show a working sample/prototype of M8 at CeBIT. You're welcome to visit our booth for meeting if possible.
CeBIT 2008 (Hannover, Germany)
Date: Mar.4 ~ 9, 2008
Booth No.: Hall16, E12

[earbutter @ Feb 9th 2008 2:08PM]

I don't know what you're talking about. I've had one of these for about eight months now and it's great. Oh...wait...oh, never mind.

[yoyodude64 @ Feb 9th 2008 2:09PM]

haha earbutter...iphone much?

[Chebwa @ Feb 9th 2008 2:09PM]

Is this pronounced "Em Ate" or "Mate?"

[LesbianHam @ Feb 9th 2008 2:18PM]

I would guess "eye clone"

[Craig B. @ Feb 9th 2008 2:39PM]

Is "Czdatn3" 'Seized at entry' or 'See Zee that En Three?'

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

3 = tree?

[crow610 @ Feb 9th 2008 2:16PM]

I'm tired of waiting for the M8, just gonna get a hiPhone.


jk...

[waiownsyou @ Feb 9th 2008 2:17PM]

What's this? Meizu is afraid of being ripped off?

[Harry @ Feb 9th 2008 2:20PM]

M8 is NOT on sale yet.

It will supposedly make its debut at CeBit in March.

I checked with CeBIT and MeiZu did register to display "smartphone" this year, contrary to only music players.

[jbhitter24 @ Feb 9th 2008 2:20PM]

"The Meizu M8 is NOT out!
If you found a site or seller listing the Meizu M8 miniOne for sale - do not post it. It is fake and misleading to our visitors. The Meizu miniOne M8 is not out yet. There is no one that can supply it to you at this moment of time no matter how real it can seem."

i think thats pretty conclusive. why make a newspost when its publicly dismissed in the thread the news is from? apologies if the post was recently edited.

[[W] @ Feb 9th 2008 2:29PM]

I just don't see how anyone would like this rip-off gadget.
first of all, it's looks like an iPhone rip-off
secondly, the price is really close to the iPhone it's (i read in their forums somewhere, but i'm not quite sure) around $320 for 8GB and 400$ for 16GB.
For an extra $99, I can get an 16GB iPhone..
And seriously, people in there were just saying how gorgeous it was and stuff, and they have been waiting for this phone for a long time and can't seem to wait anymore. Haven't they seen the iPhone??
I know that it depends on an individual's taste, but seriously?

[Stoned Hippy @ Feb 9th 2008 2:37PM]

Right, $99 and a two year ball breaking contract.
And that's only if you live in a country where the iphone is available.

[Sam Winter @ Feb 9th 2008 3:45PM]

"two year ball breaking contract"
First of all, the contract is actually pretty cheap when you add up similar plans from other carriers.
Secondly, you can EASILY unlock the iPhone and use it on any carrier WITHOUT EVER SIGNING a contract.

Anyone that would buy this piece of shit is actively supporting intellectual property theft and fraud.
I hope Apple sues the shit out of this stupid China-trash company.
Seriously, China needs to start respecting International IP. It's total bullshit. and now because of the moronic politicians in this country who had China finance the massive national debt, the US get's blackmailed from doing anything about China. UGH.

[Mark @ Feb 9th 2008 4:00PM]

really? cause I have a touch on tmobile and use the tzones plan for unlimited internet and spend a total of $50 a month for me AND my mom on a family plan.

[SteveMB @ Feb 9th 2008 4:03PM]

The M8 will have a removable battery. It will also be unlocked out of the box.

[Ethyriel @ Feb 9th 2008 5:20PM]

I'm sorry, in what way is unlocking and keeping your iPhone from being bricked easy? Plus, some of us prefer codec freedom and sound quality, which Meizu has always been very good with. If it was a cheap ripoff, it would be cheap. It's clear Meizu expects to sell these on their own merits, and considering the M3 and M6, I believe it will have plenty of them.

[[W] @ Feb 9th 2008 5:32PM]

Then, wouldn't it be better for them not to rip off the iPhone looks??
I don't think that copy a competitor's looks is a very good idea if they were to come up with something original. And I don't really think you can denied the fact that it copied the looks of the iPhone?
I'd actually admire and totally support Meizu if they did not copy the looks of its device and the UI! Because I believe in competition, but not copying.

[Ethyriel @ Feb 9th 2008 7:21PM]

The M8, yes. But I disagree heartily with the claims that the M3 and M6 look too much like Apple kit. I hardly see the resemblance in those devices.

I think the thing of it is, Meizu has some good engineers, but lack in the designer field. They realize this, and borrow tried and true ideas. I don't think they should do that, but it's better than mating superior technology with crappy designs.

Anyway, we won't know how much it actually resembles the iPhone until it's released. It wouldn't at all surprise me if it's gone through a redesign that we haven't seen yet.

[fanman @ Feb 10th 2008 4:55AM]

People seem to be hoping this phone will include all of the gubbings that apple left out and cost a reasonable amount on unlocked pay as you go.

Old fashioned, I know...

[Carmelo Lisciotto @ Feb 9th 2008 2:28PM]

M8? Whens it coming out???

Carmelo Lisciotto

[Montusama @ Feb 9th 2008 2:31PM]

Right now its the Chinese New Year, its a "long" holiday...so why would someone release a product during a holiday when bearly anyone is working?

[Mr Corsini @ Feb 9th 2008 2:33PM]

[w] your are a missinformed clown. Educate yourself please, before you chat rubbish. Go look at the meizu M8's specification then compare it to the Iphones then maybe you might begin to understand why people want this phone:

http://www.meizume.com/minione-m8/888-meizu-mini-one-m8-specifications-not-final.html

[rawhead @ Feb 9th 2008 2:49PM]

Looks great no paper. Still vapor till proven to exist. Not to mention the fact that the longer it takes for them to release it, the fewer advantages it's going to have over the iPhone, because, unlike the M8, it already exists and is being constantly upgraded.

[[W] @ Feb 9th 2008 2:56PM]

Sorry if I sparked your anger, and I did not mean to. Okay, ON PAPER, it has a faster processor, supports 3G, better camera, etc.
But, what about in the real world? I've used plenty of Windows Mobile (PPC) phones that have a faster processor than the iPhone, yet they are a lot slower in practical.
Also, have you touched and felt the build quality of the iPhone? I seriously doubt that your beloved M8 will give you the same feeling regarding the material and build quality. BUT of course, I cannot say really that for a fact because I haven't actually touched it.

[jbhitter24 @ Feb 9th 2008 3:19PM]

Meizu actually has differentiated themselves from the rest of your typical chinese rebrand companies. unlike most of its crop, the ipod/creative 'inspired' M6 is a well loved player, with some great build quality, and a pretty usable gui which has recieved more than few firmware updates.

that being said, i'm still waiting for it to be released before we can really write off the iphone. but i really doubt this is vaporware.

[Sam Winter @ Feb 9th 2008 3:52PM]

Write off the iphone? HAHAHAHAH. I suggest you actually go get a hands on at an AT&T store.
I've owned or used a Treo 600, 650, 700W, Moto Q, Dash, HTC Tytn II, HTC Libra, 8525, Blackberry pearl, 8800, IPAQ, etc etc.
I don't own any other Apple hardware than the Ipod Touch, and I can say without a doubt the iPhone/Touch is LIGHT YEARS ahead of anything else on the market.
As soon as it gets a few updates like 3G, MMS, video recording, and the soon to be released SDK, it will truly shine.

[Mark @ Feb 9th 2008 4:08PM]

@Sam Winter: I've used an iphone/ipod touch and to be completely honest I like my touch(htc) better. Sure, the iphone has SOME things over it but without gps navigation capability, ability to install whatever programs you want(without voiding the warranty, the ability to just add songs onto it and use them as ringtones instead of having to pay extra, the ability to actually customize the background, or cut and paste, I just can't give it a win for being able to push slightly less hard, detecting your face to turn off the touch screen and turning when you turn it(assuming you're holding it in the right direction first).

[Iain @ Feb 9th 2008 7:53PM]

@Sam Winter: your belief that the iPhone can just be 'updated' to make it 3G shows how limited your knowledge of consumer electronics is.
In the mean time, buy Apple if you want, by all means even feel superior for doing so - the rest of us will be happy in the knowledge we have a superior product that costs less.

[earbutter @ Feb 9th 2008 2:45PM]

I think it's pronounced "MeeToo Emulate"

[AndrewJD @ Feb 9th 2008 3:34PM]

In other news, the world goes on.

[whiskey @ Feb 9th 2008 3:34PM]

Getting back to the issue at hand... Meizu's own site says that it recommends you to buy from DaneDigital (their quasi-oficial distributor for US and Western Europe) mainly because units from there will sport the English interface and come with the English manuals (and actually because you could get better support and/or warranty coverage, i presume).

So if you get your dirty paws over one of such units elsewhere, it would be most likely you got a chinesse option, which may be why this piece gives you links to Alibaba http://www.pmptoday.com/2008/02/08/meizu-m8-phone-on-sale-at-alibaba/

I just hope i can ready some money to buy the 4GB version (it would be cool to upgrade from a dying Palm Tungsten T3). (Who cares if it looks or is a ripoff, it's cheaper and it will work with no hassles where i live, with my already present Sim card).

[Steffen Jobbs @ Feb 9th 2008 3:55PM]

A wonderful product that doesn't exist. In theory it does everything better than competing products. That's nice, in theory. Shame nobody can get their hands on one to find out how it works in practice. Eventually, it will see the light of day. If not, some other handset will take it's place. Like maybe the M9.

[applefreak @ Feb 9th 2008 5:03PM]

I am begining to wonder if Meizu actually makes real products in the first place.....

[DarkLightConnection @ Feb 9th 2008 5:24PM]

Yes they do, audio players.... and to tell the truth, I like them better than any other player... just because of one thing: OGG Vorbis support :-D

(I know the ipod can after you install some things on it, but I don't like the ipod... not at all.... heck, if someone gave me an ipod touch for free, I'd probably sell it and buy an Archos or... a Meizu :-D)

[applefreak @ Feb 9th 2008 6:07PM]

I dont like iPods either, I have a 8GB P2 (which has limited OGG support)

BTW, what is OGG?

[crescentdavid @ Feb 9th 2008 6:08PM]

@iguideonline: do you really HAVE to spam post this unrelated and irrelevant link multiple times on the engadget site?

[roach @ Feb 9th 2008 6:33PM]

I would buy one, if it was cheap and doesn't look like an iPhone. The last thing I want is being accused of being an Apple lemming.

[SteveMB @ Feb 9th 2008 9:16PM]

It's so much of a knock-off because Apple patented the rectangle!

[roole @ Feb 9th 2008 11:53PM]

This product has existed only in the pathetic imagination and hyperventilation of engadget.com and its iphone-dislikers.

Let me know if/when it actually shows up, at the price and functionality of its Photoshop-promises. I'll be the first to buy.

Such a non-story. (Btw, it's a year after the iPhone: Where is the competition?)

[SteveMB @ Feb 10th 2008 2:53AM]

Really? I didn't know that the iPhone was a year old. This is competing with the $500 iPhone that just came out. The Meizu will be $400.

[roole @ Feb 10th 2008 2:29PM]

What is it about its major capabilities that wasn't known in MWSF in January 2007?

These companies have to be even worse tech luddites than I thought, if they actually had to wait until June 29 to start reverse engineering it.

[Lisa Smalls @ Feb 10th 2008 12:21AM]

i have been waiting for this phone forever... ran across the D800i HiPhone clone and it has pretty good reviews... http://www.chinagrabber.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1531 will let you know how it goes..

[Lisa Smalls @ Feb 10th 2008 12:12AM]

i have been waiting for this phone forever... ran across the D800i HiPhone clone and it has pretty good reviews... http://www.chinagrabber.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1531 will let you know how it goes..

[Lisa Smalls @ Feb 10th 2008 12:18AM]

not sure about wiring money to china to alibaba suppliers... the D800i HiPhone is 99% HiPhone clone and is only $209.99 ... http://www.chinagrabber.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1531 best thing is that it is available!

[hotrodwinston @ Feb 11th 2008 2:11PM]

TO ALL WHO KEEP SAYING THE M8 IS A RIPOFF OF APPLE IPhone / ITouch :

I want to know how it would be possible to make a touchscreen phone that is not SIMILAR to the IPhone?

I am very serious about this so please come up with some ideas.


Also ever heard of the LG Prada ?

[[ W ] @ Feb 11th 2008 11:49PM]

Look at HTC products. Most of them look good w/o "ripping off" of Apple iPhone. Look at HTC Touch, it looks cool, and doesn't look like an iPhone, oh and yes, it has a touch screen.
What about HTC Tytn, HTC hermes.
Also HP pocket pc phones, they have a touchscreen, but they don't look like an iPhone ripped off, do they? (For the models released after the iPhone).
Also, if you look at the M8, in one of the first pictures we saw, the device was white, and did not look like an iPhone. Yet, they changed it so it now looks like an iPhone ripped-off!