>>2) Chinese clone phones burst onto the scene offering OK hardware and avowedly secure COS for less than $100.

During the mid 80's every day, en route to the office on Wall Street, I passed an elderly Chinese lady who sold knockoff watches.
In a moment of frivolity one day, I bought a knockoff Rolex for $20. The lady told me that it was guaranteed for 30 days.
It was a big hit on Wall Street and it really impressed the members at my golf club.
After about 45 days, it stopped working.
"How could she know?" I thought , so I showed the inert watch to the lady and asked for a new one. She pointed out that my shirt cuff had worn the "gold" off the case and the band, and based on the amount of wear, I had had it for more than 40 days.
I'll bet with some more scrutiny, she could have told me exactly how many hours I had worn it!
I'd also wager that the probability of any of those watches lasting more than 60 days was too small to measure.


So, if you buy one of these phones do it in the summer when you're wearing short sleeves.