7 of the best knock-off gadgets China has to offer

With the recent release of the iPhone 5, users found themselves trawling the internet for any leaked tit-bits that would give a sneak peek at Apple’s latest creation. The majority were Photo Shopped images either too blurred and distorted to recognise, or too weird and crazy to be believed.

Some of the weirder rip-offs came from China. The country thrives on the ability to mass produce replicas of popular products. It specialises in re-branding with an often unique and disturbing twist. It’s where international travelers go when looking to get their retail fix. “Techno-junkies” come out looking to sneak as many cheap and fake gadgets through customs as possible. One can only wonder what kind of findings a cavity search would produce.

With Apple and Samsung throwing nauseating patent infringement upon patent infringement at one another, we at Gearburn decided to have a little light-hearted fun. We’ve compiled a list of the best doppelgangers around. These are real con-artists that the world’s big tech companies should be going after instead of each other.

1. The Polystation from Nintendo Entertainment Systems (not the real Nintendo)

For those of you can still remember the miniature Playstation One, this is a pretty good knock off right down to the logo on the box. The only problem, it uses game cartridges akin to early Sega and Nintendo units.

2. The Vbox II from NJ 3802.

It basically looks like the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 had drunk sex and this was the result. Sporting the console design of the Xbox and controller design of the PS3. Not too sure if it’s compatible with both consoles’ games?

3. Droid X360 from Shenzhen Xun Long.

A pretty impressive look-a-like of Playstation’s handheld device, the PS Vita. This beauty packs “9 built-in emulators” that make it backwards compatible for any other handheld gaming unit. It runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, which means there’s no need to buy the Playstation alternative.

4. Apple branded shoes available from www.taobao.com.

Is Apple diversifying? These shoes come in a variety of colour schemes all copying the style made famous by Converse and its Chuck Taylor line. Perhaps the two companies are merging in some sort of cross promotional effort. Bravo Apple.

5.Nokia N9/iPhone from Unknown.

Apple has again decided to join creative forces. This time with Finnish mobile giant Nokia. Ingeniously using the casing of Nokia’s N9 and the OS from the iPhone. Best of both worlds?

6. iPnoho 6 from Shanzai.

Yes, the iPnoho 6 comes weeks after the release of the iPhone 5. This is the latest offering from Chinese rip-off designers, Shanzai. The designers have also taken it upon themselves to “re-brand” the Apple logo and make it “bite-less”.

7. The Airbook from Unibody.

Far and away the best knock off ever made. Short of the Apple logo, this fake Macbook Air is inch for inch the best replica around. Although perfectly mimicking the look and feel of the Air, Unibody’s 1.8Ghz, Intel GMA 3150 processor unit fails quite miserably to live up to its idol.