Look at the picture of two mobile phones above (A & B). If you know an iPhone, you may tell that both A & B are iPhones – the great mobile phone from Apple Inc. But hold on, before you say anything, let’s look at the back of both mobile phones from the picture below:
Obviously, A is actually an iPhone that we are talking about, whereas B is … well, an iPhone look-alike. Introducing CSL DS100 mobile phone – a Made in Malaysia mobile phone inspired by iPhone design! I came to know about this phone from my office colleague when she revealed her ‘iPhone’ to me. For all this while I thought she’s using the real iPhone, until I spotted her using a pen/stylus to tilt her phone’s touch screen. When asked, she admitted that hers is not an iPhone but CSL DS100 mobile phone. At a glance, it really looks like an iPhone, physically. It has almost the same size, curved edges, silver/black body color, touch screen (CSL is not multi-touch though) and only one button outside the screen area to activate the screen. Even though we have seen other prominent brand like Samsung Omnia that was inspired by iPhone design, CSL DS100 attempt to emulate iPhone was pretty obvious. Almost all icon graphics in it’s Home screen were similar from iPhone’s default application icons. Only after you select the icon to open it’s application you will notice that it’s not an iPhone.
Curious and interested, I googled to find more info about CSL DS100. Unfortunately, there’s not much info about it on the web. Even it’s own website doesn’t have this model in it’s product listing. However, there’s an entry each in eBay and Mudah.com.my that put this mobile phone on sale. That means this mobile phone had been in the market for some time (it shows my lack of knowledge in local mobile phone market. Shame on me..). There are some info on the manufacturer though. It was manufactured by CSL – a Malaysian company that is based in Selangor. They are a reputable company and have quite a number of other good mobile phones in their products list. Oh, in case you’re wondering, CSL stands for Commitment, Service, Loyalty.
At the moment, you can easily find CSL DS100 at local mobile phone stores around Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, Malaysia. The price ranges from RM700 – RM800.
CSL DS100 phone displayed on the shelf at a mobile phone store in Kuala Lumpur
Interested? Below are the basic technical specs, taken from it’s product manual:
Weight: 111g (include standard battery)
Batteries: 900mAh, Li-Ion
Dimension: 115mm(H)x60mm(W)x12mm(D)
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I thought it’s made in China!
that’s what my first thought. I did asked the phone seller and he confirmed it is from Malaysia.
How could you overlook the Chinese imitations when you talk about iPhone look-alikes?
http://www.intomobile.com/2007/04/18/another-apple-iphone-clone-from-china.html
I have seen another blog post regarding China iPhone, but did not keep the post URL. In the post, the iPhone imitation is much more similar to this CSL one and the original iPhone than those shown in the above post. If I am not mistaken, one can get those imitations from China at about RM500.
However I think the CSL one is more reliable and at least you get support and repair if it ever breaks down.
Hi BobbyT,
You’re right, CSL is more reliable if anything goes wrong to the phone. They have service centers everywhere in Malaysia
more like
“assembled in malaysia”
“design and materials from china”
csl is just another local branding over china phones.
just like how malaysia’s proton perdana/tiara/satria using other car brands on their own.
difference between the real china phone and csl is with csl u got some warranty, china langsung tarak.
hye there, i’m one of the buyer for the phone, just used it for one day, and i’m amazed with its function n interface~
Hey tomato_masam,
maybe you want to share how much you pay for the phone?
dear maneiger
i would like to main sail of csl brand and export them to my country pliese inform me about prise of your prodact same cs100 or … and i would like have oun representation of your commpany in my country .i am looking forward to hiearing from you A.S.A.P
best regourds
mohammad
Hye! I just bought 1 set for RM750 at desa pandan. Overall quite good!
but cant compare with iPhone of course lah! for that price I`ve got mp3/mp4 player dual sim ( both active!) solat time touch screen– personally its worth it. At the first moment i want to buy those chinese brand — cheap ~rm500 but thingking twice -CSL got better after sales service… 
hi mibs,
a good value for rm750 with trusted support.
I heard from some sources that non-3G 8GB iphone is now around rm800-rm900 in Malaysian market.
I nak jual my CSL phone DS100 – RM650 je.. baru 2 minggu pakai.. still baru takde calar langsung.. baterry, car charger, usb cable, slim casing, dalam pun i dah upload latest MP3 songs, baru dapat besday present PDA HTC awal bulan nie.. so nak let go hp nie. Ade sapa berminat call me 012-6585359 Boy.
boy,
your comment looks like a spam, but I approved it to help as iphone community service. haha..
hehehehe now china has a competition in making cell phones
i need sepl from theis phon after we can meak pissnes and infom us abut the praic
i am using this phone kinda cool it’s just it doesn’t support wi fi and 3g
Me too,i hope someone hack this phone.
Very good information.I will buy this DS100
I bought one CSL50i for below RM700/-. It was nice in the beginning with TV, Camera and bluetooth. TV is something you cant get even you purchase other phones costing more than RM1,000/= But everywhere I go, people still say it is China made. Similar China made with exactly same design and featurs are only selling RM350/=. Now my phone got problem. Blank out with no pictures very often. Got to restart by taking out the battery. Yet to send for repairs. Conclusion is really worth it if the after sales services are good and can take care of problems arising. Still worth the money I paid.
saya dah beli hp made by csl.soo far takada masalah pada servis selepas jualan……tapi masalah pen hilang susah nak cari sparepart. harga berpatutan kualiti boleh di perkemaskan.
Hi, I have problem with my CSL DS100 phone.. I bought it back in Malaysia last 2 months and now I’m back in United Kingdom.
I’ve been having problem to activate my Vodafone SIM Card in that phone!!! It keep on saying ‘INVALID SIM’ on the screen…can somebody HELP me please!!!!!!!!!
hi zac, have you reported this problem to csl.
their website is http://www.cslcare.com/
or http://www.cslcare.com.my
to zac,
kalu x silap aku la, ada sumber mengatakan kat aku, nset kat negara kita dh di design utk jenis sim kad tertentu. luar negara punya simkad biasanya x support utk dlm malaysia punya nset…sama gak kalu nset UK msuk simkad dr telco malaysia,myb x dpt. myb sumber yg aku dpt ni menjelaskan ko punya masalah….
humm..today i just bougt CSL DS100..just RM488!!! at shah alam..i think..function just medium..i x very satisfy..but..still ok coz..touch screen..hehee
hi litd,
I got to know from a handphone dealer today that CSL has stopped selling and manufacturing DS100. Did you buy the new phone or used one?
did it support wifi?
aman,
no, it didn’t support wifi and somebody told me that CSL no longer produce this phone
Yeah,ive got mine to
but its from China 
Malangnyer,sblm aku beli ifon alike dr china nie,aku masih tak tahu menahu tentang CSL 
kalau tau,aku pasti akn amek CSL DS100 neh,ifon aku pown alike 99% 
heee.. so far takda masalah semua ok,tp itulah,touch screen kurang memuaskan 
nak tekan betul2 
leh tengok review ifon China aku kat url nie… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHlVn8gQDvc
apapun korang ada tips tak kalau bleh masukkan java atau application dalam tefon nie? terima kasih
ehhh…kena duti kastam tak kalu beli dr china nie? apa website tuh?
Saya ada iphone untuk dijual.100% iPhone ALIKE…dual simcard…by pos or c.o.d…area Klang Valley…sokorang leh belek puas2 nak tgk dulu before beli..xde hal punya…dari korg beli dari tenet…tinggal 5unit saje lagi. SMS/CALL : 013-3300601 .Harga RM550.
y malaysian like to copy others product? *sigh*
I just bought 1 yesterday. RM330. agent is sky service center, taman maluri. mini iphone RM270.
Bought from Guangzhou China iphone apple imitation for RM270 and a cute mini iphone for RM250. In fact the back looks better than original….it’s totally black and more classy.
hahaha… we copied lot of things lah, just like our flag, police dress(from US) etc…. phone doesn’t matter, its small thing…
bahahha…we should proud wat~
malaysia & china da jalin hubungan 2 hala lebih 20 taun tau~
bukan sumer malaysia copy..
macam mne na maju kalau asyik kutuk???support laaaa….
Malaysia Boleh~!!!!!!!!
Hi everyone
Im conducting a survey for CSL, I am a student studying marketing in Malaysia.
Please take the time to take my survey. Your help will be greatly appreciated.
http://www.cslmobile.speedsurvey.com
Thank you very much!!
yesszaa…..satu malaysia…satu i phone….
sy nak beli esok…..
xsabo ni…..idup CSL….yeahhhh..!!
sy pun jual gak apple iphone,baru dapat 3 hari lepas.dalam kotak lg.complete set hanya RM500 jea
berminat cal/sms 0196148365
Ada sesaper nak beli hp csl blueberry 5000, touch screen. RM 400 je, sms 0168679498, detail spec check kat website.
i want to buy csl DS100 touchscreen
anybody can tell my in where sell touchscreen
c_jet3922..i want to but the iphone,price 270..please reply me a.s.a.p
~.. can contact me 0123360805..tq..
boleh tak sape2 blh btau kat mane boleh beli iphone harga rm270 tu??please reply me at miszevon@yahoo.com.. tq..
I’m selling this iPhone alike mobile phone. You will get full set comes with FREE 2gb memory card, 2 iPhone hard case, 1 iPhone soft flannel pocket case for RM 450. Price is negotiable.
Satisfaction guaranteed. Anything feel free to call me, 0173170357
Hi, does these look alike phones (Iphone, Blackberry….etc) have enough productivity tools.
I’m have been using PalmTreo for long, and love the ability to use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Text) or view PDF documents. And ability to find and install many useful softwares.
These CSL phones are tempting at those price. But I wonder if I am able to the same with it.
So far it just look like a phone with fancy entertainment beside the look, which than justify the asking price.
Thank you
Hi Michael Binns,
These phones does have, but not usefeul enough productivity tools. For me, the only interesting part is the ‘look’. One of the feedback I got from the users is the unresponsive touch screen. But some users loved the default apps such as Qur’an (for Moslems).
Dear Manager
I would like the main sale of CSL brand to export the screens of CSLds100 in Botswana and let mi know the prices
how to get part i phone china