$10 Anti-iPhones - The Recyclable Hop1800 (GALLERY)

They are calling it the “anti iPhone”, a $10 ultra light (77 grams) GSM phone with talk time of up to four hours and 150 hours of standby time. The pre-paid Hop1800 from Hop-On Inc, is perfect as a backup cell phone when your phone doesn’t work or its battery dies. It’s also great for adventure travelers who don’t want to risk endangering pricey handsets, or for kids who always seem to be lose their phones.

The sharp looking black phone is 14mm thick with Polyphonic ringtones and vibration. It’s available worldwide in two models, a Dual-band 850/1900MHz and a 900/1800MHz. Furthermore, to encourage recycling rather than disposing the phone, the company offers a $5 rebate for returning the phone to “Keep it Green”.

Hop-On CEO Peter Michaels says, “Though the iPhone is an amazing device, I challenge anyone to make a call faster than with the HOP1800. With the cost of living and roaming fees going though the roof, the HOP1800 is also the perfect iPhone traveling companion.  Just buy a local SIM card and you can use the HOP1800 with over 40 domestic wireless carriers.”

According to the press release, though low in cost, the HOP1800 uses reliable Infineon chip sets for excellent audio quality, reception and call stability.

Another cool twist is that in addition to being available to retailers such as drug and convenience stores, big box retailers, Hop-On is promoting it to businesses looking for a unique branding opportunity where they can imprint corporate logos, sport teams or any promotional image on the phone, making it a unique and useful promotional item.