That’s where the knock-offs came in swinging. Amazon was practically swimming in ’em, all dressed up like the real deal. Now, back then, spotting a fake could be tricky, but there were clues. We’re talkin’ janky screens, weird fonts, and build quality that felt like it came out of a cereal box. You know, the usual suspects.
But honestly? Some of ’em were surprisingly decent *for the price*. I remember seeing videos of guys tearing them apart and being like, “Woah, they actually tried!”
The IWO 13 Pro? Oh MAN, that was a big one back then, and still is honestly. It was, and still is, one of the most capable replica’s ever. I mean, I’ve seen people rocking those things and you’d barely notice the difference from across the room. Of course, the battery life was probably garbage and the sensors were about as accurate as a weather forecast on Mars, but hey, it *looked* the part.
Then you had the Amazfit. Okay, it didn’t try to straight-up clone the Apple Watch like some of those other guys. More like, “inspired by.” But the thing is, they were actually *good*. I mean, people were buying them and *loving* them. You got a decent smartwatch experience, a similar vibe to the Apple Watch, and didn’t have to sell your kidney to afford it. Solid choice if you just wanted something that looked good and didn’t completely suck.
Shenzhen Magic Technology? Okay, that name alone screams “questionable electronics,” right? I’m betting they were pumping out a *ton* of these things in 2019. I’d wager buying in bulk was a red flag back then.
Look, I’m not saying you *should* buy a fake. Apple spends a ton of money developing their tech, and supporting them is… well, ethical, I guess. But if you’re on a super tight budget and just want that Apple Watch *look*, a good fake Apple Watch from 2019 (or similar quality ones now) *might* have been a okayish option. Just do your research, read the reviews, and prepare for the possibility that it might break after a week, lol.
