Cheap 'Apple smartwatch look-alikes' up for grabs on Alibaba day after launch

Cheaper clones of Apple's much-awaited smartwatches are being advertised on China's most popular online shopping service, Alibaba, a day after launch. Alibaba's Taobao site listed devices branded the AW08 and the iWatch, reported the BBC.

Both the models feature "digital crown" dials on their sides, similar-styled straps and user interface graphics that resemble Apple's upcoming wearable device. They however, run on Google's Android platform rather than Apple's Watch iOS.

Apple Smartwatch In Pictures

Other giveaways that the watches are not the iPhone's official "companion" include:

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They are being offered for about 250 yuan ($40; £26.50) - a fraction of the 2,588 yuan that Apple will charge for its smartwatch in China when it goes on sale next month

• They do not feature the same heart-monitoring sensors on their rear - although it is not clear.
• They boast longer battery life.

One listing, which was highlighted by the Financial Times, even used the slogan: "Knockoff Apple watches have hit the market!" Taobao's owner said it did, however, remove deceptive ads.

"Alibaba Group is dedicated to the fight against counterfeits," a spokeswoman for the company stated, once this issue arised.