While the shanzhai cellphones are popular (and very cool), I think the article's analysis of this is more accurate than your own. The illegally imported US and

While the shanzhai cellphones are popular (and very cool), I think the article's analysis of this is more accurate than your own. The illegally imported US and Hong Kongese Apple iPhones here have a wifi card and are significantly cheaper than the ones sold in a Unicom store. Why pay $1000 USD for a wifi-less version of the iPhone when you can pay $700 through an unofficial retailer for a version without any lacking functionality?