Say hello to the HiPhone

The iPhone will be available in Asia sometime in the earlier half of this year (although nobody seems to know exactly when yet), and while Apple's been dragging its feet over bringing the phone here, some enterprising Chinese company has already come up with another clone, the HiPhone (not to be confused with the Meizu Minione), and from what we hear so far, it's not too bad for a clone! In fact, this German geek was so impressed by the phone he decided to do a four-part video review of it to cover everything from the box to the OS, the messaging and the multimedia systems. (We love how the packaging of the phone screams, "Innovation changes the future!")

A search on Taobao indicates the phone is now selling for as low as RMB850! For an alternative review, check out the blog of Marc van der Chijs.

In other cell phone news: Check out what appears to be the latest fad in Beijing restaurants: Mobile phone condoms! [h/t ThomasCrampton.com]

Parts three and four of the HiPhone review after the jump.