Meizu M8 gets stripped of its shell, dignity

See that Meizu M8 there? See that multitool-equipped hand? Yeah, you know damn well what's going to happen next, and we think the translated text expresses it best: "Well, the last one of the screws removed, MEIZU M8 has been completely broken up in a heap before us." The M8's guts make for some predictably boring pictures (unless you're really into circuitry), but the interesting bit might come in the accompanying narrative where we learn that the phone seems pretty dang solid -- good build quality, good materials, and name-brand components. That being said, they found it wasn't quite up to the iPhone 3G's standards for sheer manufacturing prowess -- but hey, they wouldn't want to take any cues from Apple, would they?

[Thanks, Jeff]

[waiownsyou @ Dec 5th 2008 1:34AM]

I'm more interested in that tool than both phones

[Jamesology @ Dec 5th 2008 1:40AM]

Me too imagine the things its capable of doing!!

[Brian @ Dec 5th 2008 1:44AM]

I've never seen a tool like that. What is it exactly called?

[tails2 @ Dec 5th 2008 1:44AM]

waiownsyou, when you say tool, do you mean the engadget staff member who wrote this? Because it seems, as per usual, in the opinion of said staff member, the iproduct is better then sliced bread.

But for everyone else who hasn't been hypnotized into becoming a sheep, that the m8 is a phone that Meizu can be proud of and buyer will love.

[nerdtalker @ Dec 5th 2008 1:49AM]

@tails2

Too true, too true. "That being said, they found it wasn't quite up to the iPhone 3G's standards for sheer manufacturing prowess." @engadget, you mean the now infamous inferion chipset and its now infamously immature 3G stack apple chose is now something worthy of handset envy? What's sad is that I bet the M8 gets better reception, and doesn't need fake bar-adding firmware updates so customers think the signal issues are fixed.

I hope you jest.

[Chris Ziegler @ Dec 5th 2008 2:04AM]

@tails2 and nerdtalker: I'm relaying a summary of the source; you know, the people who actually had an opportunity to tear down the M8. Did you click through to the source, by chance? Why do I have to misrepresent it in order to not be perceived as an Apple apologist? And furthermore, why are we giving unlimited license to an iPhone clone (you're not looking if you don't see the resemblance) that's a year overdue?

I'm extraordinarily fair. I love all phones -- that's why I'm a mobile editor -- and I won't tolerate having this Apple fanboy tag shoved down my throat.

[giyad @ Dec 5th 2008 2:05AM]

ummm looks to me like a screw driver with multiple heads... no?

[nerdtalker @ Dec 5th 2008 3:21AM]

@Chris,

I would like to point out that I have never called you an Apple aplologist personally. The point is that snarky little one-liners (which is admittedly part of engadgets unique, lovable style) don't really have a place in articles like this. Moreover, why does every handset need to be compared to the iPhone? (obviously, the M8 being an iPhone clone makes it an exception, but why everything else?) But at the same point, youre making this assertion that the iPhone is some axiom of handset design suddenly, when it is in fact common knowledge that apple is still tweaking the hardware, and that iPhone 3G is anything but perfect. 3G reception issues arent debatable, and at least the M8 has a user-replaceable battery.

There really isn't any need to get defensive, or to single particular readers out (especially considering the number of commenters that have complained here and in other posts). It isn't you, it's a site wide thing that is getting out of hand.

I appreciate your work and love engadget. Please don't take my comment(s) as some kind of attack.

[openthefloodgates @ Dec 5th 2008 3:39AM]

"I'm more interested in that tool than both phones"

That's what she said.

[jollyllama @ Dec 5th 2008 3:52AM]

@nerdtalker:

The correct thing to do would have been apologize, not try to defend yourself. You got called out and Chris is right, so none of this "don't get defensive" non-sense.

[macserv @ Dec 5th 2008 4:45AM]

@nerdtalker: Hmm, let's see... why on EARTH would anyone compare *these* two phones?

Having seen the inside of both devices (I've disassembled the iPhone 3G myself), I'm truly impressed by the m8; it definitely beats my expectations. I'd have to agree with Engadget on this one, though... the iPhone 3G is the better-assembled device. The m8 is an excellent build, but the iPhone 3G is a masterpiece of miniaturization.

It will be interesting to see if the actual units shipped to customers are identical to what we're seeing here on Meizu's site. I know a Chinese company would never stage something to keep up appearances, but I'll be interested to see a 3rd-party teardown.

[Troels C @ Dec 5th 2008 5:33AM]

There is nothing special about the screwdriver. The yellow thing is the handle, the surrounding metal items are bits for the handle and the blue cylinder is just a case for storing it all.

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Dec 5th 2008 8:32AM]

@giyad
@Troels C

If you look at it closely, those are not normal screw tips. Instead they are designed to remove those pesky (often proprietary) security type screws from devices that manufacturers don't want Joe Public to open.

[eggothewaffle @ Dec 5th 2008 8:35AM]

Oh God...Chris Zizzler and nerdtalker are both Highly Ranked...WHO DO I AGREE WITH?

[Gonzalo @ Dec 5th 2008 9:15AM]

I think I saw it on dealextreme.com
dealextreme.com

[vwtoys @ Dec 5th 2008 10:15AM]

The build quality of this unit is very high. The disassembler mentioned that many screws were used to tighten up the phone, and all the side accesory buttons were secured with a screw. The CEO J. Wong also mentioned that to achieve a good fit the metal trim ring is CNC'd, not a molded part. Accordeing to the disassembler (not from MEIZU, he's from a CNMO I think) they've really overbuilt this phone for fit and finish.

[Testies, Testies, 1, 2... 3? @ Dec 5th 2008 3:53PM]

Just check out the GRIP he has on the multitool!

[big j @ Dec 5th 2008 4:03PM]

@Chris:

So shouldn't we call the iPhone a LG Prada clone? There are many many phones out there by LG, Samsung, and Nokia that look just like the iPhone but I've never seen any of you guys here at engadget call any of those phones an "iPhone clone". It's much harder for a touchscreen phone to NOT look like the iphone that to actually look like one, you know considering the iPhone is just a screen.
By your standards then shouldn't the Nokia Tube, Samsung Omnia, Behold, etc etc all be iPhone clones?

[ducky @ Dec 5th 2008 4:31PM]

How is he supposed to not get defensive when EVERY Meizu post has kids like you who are completely blind to where the M8 came from? You would have to be stupid to not realize the similarities, and unless you're trolling, I'd have to guess that you are.

The M8 could easily be a great product, as the post actually says, had you properly read it. But to deny that it's a clone of the iPhone is ridiculous. It's not just one or two things, the product as a whole is far too similar. If you prefer to be unreasonable about it and insist on not seeing what's in front of your eyes, then don't bother reading Engadget.

Plus, Engadget doesn't make any claims against "3G reception issues" or other problems with the iPhone. Problems exist, that's established.

And considering that the iPhone is currently at the forefront of mobile phone sales, it's only logical to compare new phones with it. And as you yourself said, considering the M8 is an iPhone CLONE, it makes perfect sense to compare the two. Nothing's "getting out of hand" and if these posts bother you too much, simply don't read them.

[big j @ Dec 5th 2008 5:44PM]

@ducky
who are you talking to?

anyways, in case you are having a difficult time understanding, the point of my post was:
why does this phone receive the clone label while others do not? when they clearly look just as similar.

and i'm speaking in terms of exterior product design, not the OS or features.

[ducky @ Dec 5th 2008 10:40PM]

I was replying to nerdtalker, but to address your post, don't push the argument on other phones. Focus on this one. It's literally impossible to not classify this as a clone. Whether or not other phones are considered clones is irrelevant. If you've taken even one look at the M8, you won't be able to deny this.

The low ranks are amusing, by the way. Not unexpected, though. Engadget commenters have a history of heavy bias towards whatever company it's cool to be currently for or against.

[superhobo @ Dec 6th 2008 3:14AM]

Its internal structure looks a LOT like the SE G900...

[yellowsnowman02 @ Dec 5th 2008 1:40AM]

Second comment :D

[who? @ Dec 5th 2008 1:51AM]

Ah, I see. Well, if you're quite done here, I'll go ahead and Low Rank you, mmmK?

[MM @ Dec 5th 2008 1:47AM]

Am really into circuitry

[SequinApocalypse @ Dec 5th 2008 1:47AM]

"Sum up: Maybe we let the curiosity of a new M8 lost fineness perfect, but in return for a cell phone to determine the most real: This work is a solid material to be used as a reliable phone."

I couldn't have said it any better myself.

[IndiaTech @ Dec 5th 2008 2:11AM]

"17 shocked the technology screw-the-art + MEIZU M8 Chaiji first evaluation"

Google Translations FTW!!!

[who? @ Dec 5th 2008 2:52AM]

There is no Chinese word for dignity.

Google Translations FTW!!!

[枯の灵 @ Dec 5th 2008 2:19AM]

Meizu M8 ?

Muh~

[Mr. Phillip A. Wood @ Dec 5th 2008 2:56AM]

I love apple.

I hate engadget for smug posts like these.

[Bo @ Dec 5th 2008 3:09AM]

way to stand up for yourself chris. man, i gotta say tho, that m8 does look pretty rock solid, iphone manufacturing or not. also, we are giving license (not really unlimited) to a product that a consumer base has been anticipating for a while and that deserves quality coverage, despite all of its setbacks.

what say you engadget get a few of these puppies and give them a good impartial review? and to prove impartiality, either don't compare the m8 to the iphone at all or compare it to other standard-setting available phones in this category, like g1 and n97 et al. as well as iphone. i would certainly like to see conversations move beyond the unhelpful "iphone vs. ___, fight!" stuff when i'm choosing a good phone to buy.

again, this phone looks sweet.

[Tian @ Dec 5th 2008 3:54AM]

I saw this on Meizu Me last night. www.meizume.com/minione-m8/7480-meizu-m8-disassembled.html

Are you sure you didn't get it from there, Chris?

[ipubs bastard child @ Dec 5th 2008 4:03AM]

At risk of sounding like a n00b, I have two questions about this phone.

1) can somebody tell me or link me to the actual specs as all I can find is hearsay and I dont mean the band.
2) can anybody tell me what if any sat nav software runs on this and by sat nav, I don't mean google maps or any other data reliant service!

Thanks!

Oh and is customary now..

--
ipubs bastard child
www.lookatmycrapwebsite.com

[kadajawi @ Dec 5th 2008 1:05PM]

There are screenshots of Route 66 and iGo 8 running on this device, with the bar giving the phone info (battery, reception etc.) blocking the top of the screen (shouldn't be too big a problem, but it doesn't look too good). Note that the screenshots were done with a beta device, so that might work better now, or worse. Also, since the device doesn't have GPS built in you will have to use an external BT GPS device, I think the beta tester used something from Nokia.

The specs can be found on the Meizu website... www.meizu.com I think. I'm not sure if an English version is online, but I think it is.

[Fusion Fuzo 05 - Mr Professional @ Dec 5th 2008 6:27AM]

Both FUGLY as sin YUK

[balls @ Dec 5th 2008 5:55PM]

Why did the person blur out the serial numbers in one shot, but leave them in all the others ????