12-bit of 14-bit 0.5GSPS ADC's from like TI/National Semi are incredibly expensive. In the order of 250$+ per chip in 1k quantity.
Given typical markup of a product, that would be almost half the cost of this entire unit.
So yes I would be very interested to see what kind of ADC they have used. Given 100MSPS 14-bit and 500MSPS 12-bit modes, it almost can't be some kind of (implicit) high-res mode/oversampling, because you need a factor 16x for that.
.. unless the scope actually has a 1.6GSPS 12-bit ADC, like the TI ADC12D800RF. Does 14-bit only work on 1 ch or 2chs?
Regarding the design: I think Rigol equipment are not far off. Their front panel silkscreen is just as wanky, but they atleast kept the knobs white.