Actually, there are a lot of differences if you want to get nitpicky.
All of the details that have been machined into the body are incorrect. the knobs are incorrect. The length and diameter is much larger than the real item. I'm sure mostly due to the internal components and stability issues.
Not that you could do this with an FX, but all the original maul hero sabers were resin with only metal at the ends made up of large washers.
Either way, it's still a cool toy. I have one and I think its fun.