"They create it but do so based on something that's already been created by someone else. I think people are getting tired of big brands and a certain way of life, and this is a way to express themselves."
She also points out that shanzhai innovation isn't only about developing new technology, but also fulfilling people's needs.
Weaver believes the "genius" handsets with shaving razors designed for on-the-go hygiene demonstrate how shanzhai phones often meet needs overlooked by major brands.
"The R&D at Motorola, it's happening in the laboratory. It's not close to life," he says.
But the problem, experts and consumers agree, is quality. While shanzhaiji have incredible functionality and affordability, they often don't work well or last long.
Because the market is unregulated, batteries can explode, and special absorption rates (SAR) of electromagnetism, which could harm the brain, can reach unsafe levels.
But a recent test by Shenzhen Communications Association and Shenzhen Electronic Product Quality Test Center of 12 randomly selected shanzhai mobiles and three brand mobiles, including top international manufacturers Nokia and Samsung, found the "shanzhai mobiles are close in quality to their rival brand firms".
Yao Feng, business operation specialist of China Mobile, explains shanzhaiji often charge users hidden, illegal operating fees.
"It has some negative impacts on operators and on normal users," he says.
"When users press the buttons, nobody knows what's behind those buttons,."
Director of Shenzhen Communications Association Tang Ruijin believes, "quality is not the main problem that shanzhai mobile firms have to face during their development; the key point is standardized management".
Weaver believes the best shanzhaiji companies could become legitimate firms.
"We are witnessing the rise of the hacker-entrepreneurs; it's a classic Silicon Valley legend brought to the back alleys of Shenzhen," he says.
"Today's shanzhai handset vendors have a real chance to move from back alleys to boardrooms - the possibility exists to create a global brand."
The most famous example of such a firm has been Tianyu, a shanzhaiji maker that leads domestic manufacturers, holding 16 percent of the market in Q4 2008, according to CCID consulting.
Beijing taxi driver Liu Xiaoan says he only buys Tianyu mobiles. He bought his A93 for 600 yuan ($87.8).
"It looks good and the quality's good," he says.
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