Apple iWatch Clone Already Shipping in China (video)

An anonymous Chinese electronics manufacturer has released a functional "iWatch" clone, predating the launch of Apple’s official wearable. While the tech world awaits specific details regarding the authentic Apple device’s aesthetics, cost, and functionality, the K1 iWatch is already being sold and shipped globally for approximately $100.

The K1 iWatch features specifications that distinguish it as a standalone "watch phone" rather than a traditional companion smartwatch. It is equipped with a 1.8-inch screen (220×176 resolution), a VGA camera capable of recording video, an internal microSD slot, a headphone jack, and Bluetooth connectivity. Notably, it includes a SIM card slot, allowing it to operate independently of a smartphone. Reports suggest the device is compatible with US carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile, though the potential absence of an integrated microphone may necessitate the use of a Bluetooth headset for voice calls.

While the device features a user interface clearly modeled after Apple’s iOS, its origins are not actually tied to recent leaks. Although rumors regarding an Apple wearable have intensified over the last several months, the K1 has existed for some time; promotional footage for the device surfaced as early as 2011 and 2012. Rather than being based on leaked hardware designs, the K1 appears to have been modeled after a 2010 conceptual design created by ADR Studios.

This development highlights the fact that the smartwatch sector is a well-established niche rather than a new innovation. Manufacturers such as Sony, Casio, and Motorola (Google) have previously released models, and the market includes crowdfunded successes like the Pebble. On various Chinese retail sites, dozens of similar watch-phone variations are currently available for purchase.

Industry analysts draw parallels between the current state of wearables and the smartphone market of late 2006. Prior to the iPhone’s debut, smartphones had existed for over half a decade as niche products. It was Apple’s entry that transitioned the technology into the mainstream. While many observers expect a similar trajectory for the smartwatch, it remains to be seen if Apple will introduce a design revolutionary enough to replicate its previous success in the mobile phone industry.