Is this a real iPhone or a replica?

[Hellenek]

Hiya,
I've been monitoring Ebay UK and I'm seeing some increasingly clever iPhone replicas that are being snapped up by some gullible buyers. Some like this (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Apple-Iphone-8GB-Unlocked-Any-Network_W0QQitemZ140164632599QQihZ004QQcategoryZ3312QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) I'm not so sure. Looks fake. Doesn't add up. I'm I wrong?

[Meecrob]

something is weird. see those weird icons near the bottom of the screen? and the case saying "ipod"? not cool.

[CWallace]

It is fake. The iPod icons at the bottom are the giveaway - they are not permanent on the real iPhone.

Take a perusal through Engadget's "Keeping It Fake" files - the Chinese are pushing out PMPs that look like the iPhone, the iPod Touch, and the new iPod Nano ("Fatty") by the score. I think I saw that model. :)

[BigDaddy5]

It's a fake. The accessories don't match what comes with the iPhone (black charger), there appears to be a separate battery, not an integrated one, there are buttons on the screen above the "home" button, something that doesn't happen on the iPhone when the screen is off. The box isn't the right box either.

[sananda]

someone's just paid nearly £300 for it.

[Father Jack]

Only 1 negative feedback in 55 transactions, not too bad.

Seller only accepts PayPal so you can get a refund if things go ti*s up .... :)

[herodian]

man, that buyer is gonna be so pissed when he gets that through.

[Hellenek]

Ohlalala. He also sold these (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-x-Apple-Iphone-8gb-unlocked-to-any-network_W0QQitemZ140164633274QQihZ004QQcategoryZ3312QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem). Wonder what's in those boxes.

This guy's on a roll, he's got other similar auctions here (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140166289591&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RCRX_Pr4_PcY_BID_IT&refitem=140164633274&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=CrossSell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget) & here (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140164841929&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RCRX_Pr4_PcY_BID_IT&refitem=140164633274&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=CrossSell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget).

I think its safe to say that iPhones sold by russrad0 are to be avoided or treated with tablespoons of salt.

[JBaker122586]

Definitely a fake.
The top black part where the speaker is appears much thinner than the bottom black part where the home button is.

On the real iPhone, they're the same.

[ivi7]

FAKE
Buyer beware

[Kamera RAWr]

It doesn't fit. The phone looks completely fake. The packaging doesn't look anything like how Apple has and would do it. Cheap looking accessories.

I also looked at quite of a few of his previous auctions. Car tires, lawn chair, cheap R/C car, etc. 98% positive feedback on 55 transactions... still looks like a scammer to me.

Buyer beware!

[bigandy]

http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=86930&d=1191871167

report it. the seller is advertising a CECT P168 (http://www.itechnews.net/2007/05/25/cect-p168-iphone-clone/) as an iPhone, and that's not right - in fact, in the UK, it could well be classed as counterfeit and be illegal...

[mustang_dvs]

It's probably a hijacked account.

Either way, the "OEM battery" visible in the photos, the box and "battery cover" in the description is a dead giveaway that these aren't iPhones.

In fact, this particular model (the CECT P168) has been marketed as the "tPhone" in Hong Kong and actually was available on eBay before the official on-sale date of the iPhone in the U.S.

[ay98182]

Definitely, definitely fake. I've just reported the user to ebay - will keep you guys updated on what they say.

[illutionz]

it's CECT P168 iPhone fake

[kdarling]

Some Chinese iPhone replicas etc (http://www.ipmart.com/main/browse.php?cat=1758&cat=2308)

[makismagoo99]

Totally FAKE!

1) Charger is BLACK, not the typical white apple chager
2) Real iPhone battery is NOT removable
3) Real iPhone has only ONE button on the front, not a whole series of them.

Report the user right away.

[Geffen]

Thats definately a fake iPhone, i'd be leary of buying iPhones off of Ebay.

[ay98182]

This is part of the email I just got from ebay:

"Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to report the iPhone that may be in breach
of eBay policy. We'll investigate your report thoroughly.

Before we take action, we'll consider the circumstances of the alleged
offence and the member's feedback profile, as well as any previous
warnings or offences. To be fair to all members, we won't take action
unless the complaint can be proven with certainty.

As it's important that eBay maintains member privacy, we won't be able
to share details of the action we take on the other member's account
with you. This eBay principle protects the privacy of all our members."

Let's hope they take this guy down!