Web3-phones trend: are you ready to participate?

[KryptoBull]

Solana blockchain has made an impressive comeback in 2023 after escaping the FTX collapse. Along with the price increase of SOL token and Solana ecosystem, we are also witnessing a new trend in the market: physical products sold with huge benefits, specifically Sagaphone - the first Web3 phone in the crypto market.

Sagaphone was introduced by Solana in May 2023 but did not stand out in the Android smartphone market, its price has been reduced from 1000 USD to 599 USD in August 2023. Even, Sagaphone was being crowned the "worst phone of 2023" by tech reviewer Marques Brownlee. I myself don't want to own a smartphone like Sagaphone, it looks worse than the old iPhone I'm using.

However, the memecoin BONK created the plot twist. 30M BONK tokens airdropped to Sagaphone owners, worth ~1K USD, helped increase demand for Sagaphone. A Sagaphone with 30M BONK not yet received was resold for 5K USD on eBay, which is crazy because the buyer could have used 5K USD to buy 160M BONK at the current price. Maybe he expects other airdrops from new projects in the Solana ecosystem in the future ^[1].

After Sagaphone's success, Solana's $450 Chapter 2 Smartphone has ignited a pre-order frenzy: 25K preorders in the initial 24 hours and within a mere 30 hours of its announcement, Chapter 2's 30K preorders eclipsed the entire first-year sales of its predecessor , the Saga ^[2]. I'm starting to think that the Solana dev team wants to focus on making money from selling smartphones and issuing memecoins rather than improving network stability.

The Web3 phone wave is not just limited to Solana: Aptos, a Layer 1 blockchain, partnered with Jambo Technology to launch a new $99 Web3 smartphone designed specifically for emerging markets in February 2024 ^[3]. Yesterday, March 11, Ninety Eight, the creator of the Coin98 DeFi ecosystem, did the same when it introduced the $99 JamboPhone for the Asian market ^[4].

These cheap Web3 phones will probably come pre-installed with applications from blockchain/crypto projects to help users access Web3 more seamlessly, but I doubt their hardware quality. I don't have faith in a smartphone that costs less than 100 USD.

The market has developed, Blockchain-phones have become Web3-phones. I still remember the Electroneum project that allowed users to mine ETN tokens right on their smartphones ^[5], or Samsung Galaxy S10 supported blockchain wallets for users ^[6], they were really a big step forward for blockchain technology to ordinary users. Today, when everyone owns a smartphone and can easily install popular crypto wallet applications like MetaMask, Trust, SafePal..., Web3-phones are not very valuable. They are just cheap smartphones that have pre-installed a few crypto applications (I think users can completely install them themselves) or contain NFTs with the ability to receive many valuable airdrops in the future.

I am not ready to buy any Web3 phones myself. I already have enough crypto wallet apps on my trusty old iPhone to interact and use Dapps effectively. I also believe that the security of Apple's iPhone is better than that of cheap Web3 phones from lesser-known phone brands.

I would like to know your opinion on the Web3-phones trend:

• Are you willing to buy Web3-phones?
• Will Web3-phones become a trend for other blockchains to follow?
• Are Web3-phones really necessary for the crypto/blockchain market?

References:
[1] Solana Saga Phone Labeled ‘Failure of 2023’ Despite Surge in Demand
[2] Solana’s Chapter 2 Smartphone Breaks Saga’s Annual Sales Records in Hours
[3] Aptos to Launch Smartphone to Boost Web3 Access in Emerging Markets
[4] Coin98 Super Wallet Pre-installed on JamboPhone, Fostering Web3 Adoption Across Asia
[5] Electroneum Mining: How to mine ETN in 2023
[6] The Best Blockchain Phones to Consider in 2022
Note:

• My opinion was posted first in that topic, on Bitcointalk
• I leave the source link to avoid plagiarism accusation.
• I excluded/ included minor things from an original thread ^{if necessary}.

[TomPluz]

I am sure that we are in for an exciting time not just because of the current bullish season but because we are seeing some good success stories like this experienced by Solana's SAGA phone with the twists and turns that eventually lead to its mega success. Sometimes it can be true that when you are not hitting your goal the first time around, then innovate and try another chance because you don't know when to really hit the jackpot.

1. Are you willing to buy Web3-phones?
Yes, of course, if it can give me an earning opportunity like being able to mine certain coins exclusive to specific phone owners. Now, this can certainly entail some capital and there is also that big risks that junkies would ride the wave just to make them money at the expense of the buyers. Yes, this is exciting but we must be aware of the possible risks.

2. Will Web3-phones become a trend for other blockchains to follow?
There is a big possibility for this trend to also be adopted by many others. This is human nature that success is always being copied until such a time when there is no more juice that can be squeezed from the milking cow. Just like Bitcoin and the avalanche of alts, more players are now thinking how they can also introduce their own Web3 phones to the market.

3. Are Web3-phones really necessary for the crypto/blockchain market?
I don't think so. These so called Web3 phones can be considered as an additional fixture to the crypto market but should not be considered as really necessary to get into the industry and enjoy its many immense benefits. I would say that this is just comparable to a woman who decided to go to a beauty spa to enhance her beauty though she is actually so beautiful inside and out.

[joniboini]

It is honestly surprising to see so many preorders for a reskinned phone (not that massive compared to regular phone orders, but still). I wonder if the numbers are fake, or if crypto users are just that gullible. The only thing that I believe is valuable on devices like this is bragging rights, which as little to no value in the long run. If I want something secure I'd develop an air-gapped device on my own, or buy a phone with dedicated hardware for seed storage solution, etc, not midrange Android phones with preinstalled wallet apps.

I don't like this trend and I hope people will be smarter in the future so no company can sell vaporware and vanish soon after.

[bitbit97]

I wont call it a phone trend, as we previously had projects that promised to release an all-in-one phone-wallet-miner devices. Almost every one of them failed. What has Solana offered and started, this is not a phone trend, this is simply bonus hunting. I really doubt that  someone will really design, develop, order and manufacture something. I think project will again raise funds in exchange of a promise to develop, but in reality just send token or other benefits to those who preordered.

[ABCbits]

• Are you willing to buy Web3-phones?
• Will Web3-phones become a trend for other blockchains to follow?
• Are Web3-phones really necessary for the crypto/blockchain market?

1. No, i already i have a phone and i don't think i need another one. Besides, there's no guarantee there'll be another interesting airdrop for owner of those web3-phone.
2. Probably no. I agree with @joniboini that total sales/pre-order seems to be inflated. And since some of web3-phones have expensive price, i expect many cryptocurrency owner would rather buy iPhone.
3. No, we could just use regular smartphone and install web3 apps on it.

[Lucius]

In other words, all those who buy that phone don't buy it because they want it, but because they will get some kind of tokens if they buy it - but I doubt that those behind all this will not profit very well from this business move. I wouldn't be surprised if people start buying those Tamagotchi  that were once popular if they are promised that they will get something in return.

The bottom line is that you can sell even a crap phone for a solid price if you offer something extra along with it, but I would still skip this offer and maybe treat myself to a premium smartphone this year to celebrate the bull run

[bitmover]

In other words, all those who buy that phone don't buy it because they want it, but because they will get some kind of tokens if they buy it - but I doubt that those behind all this will not profit very well from this business move. I wouldn't be surprised if people start buying those Tamagotchi  that were once popular if they are promised that they will get something in return.

The bottom line is that you can sell even a crap phone for a solid price if you offer something extra along with it, but I would still skip this offer and maybe treat myself to a premium smartphone this year to celebrate the bull run

I think people just try to mix some buzzwords to make money in this crazy crypto space.

Web3 AI Blockchain Smartphone or whatever, words that don't even make sense together 

And people buy because all things just move up in these bull run times...

[Freemind]

I think that mobile phones called web 3 do not contribute anything. In itself, Sagaphone is nothing more than an Android phone, with specific software preinstalled. It does not have new or revolutionary hardware, nor software that cannot be used on another smartphone, so I don't see the use or need of using a Sagaphone for anything.To make matters worse, it is overpriced even though the original price has been reduced.

As for Bonk... Just crumbs to get people to buy the phone, I think it is an insult to human intelligence, but there are probably people who bought the Sagaphone just to get the airdrop.

[MrSpasybo]

The Web3 phone wave is not just limited to Solana: Aptos, a Layer 1 blockchain, partnered with Jambo Technology to launch a new $99 Web3 smartphone designed specifically for emerging markets in February 2024 ^[3]. Yesterday, March 11, Ninety Eight, the creator of the Coin98 DeFi ecosystem, did the same when it introduced the $99 JamboPhone for the Asian market ^[4].

I would like to know your opinion on the Web3-phones trend:

• Are you willing to buy Web3-phones?
• Will Web3-phones become a trend for other blockchains to follow?
• Are Web3-phones really necessary for the crypto/blockchain market?

I was really surprised with this decision of Coin98 team: they only care about reaching users while not thinking about the quality and safety of cheap smartphone devices under $100. I used to use a few cheap smartphones to install wallet applications and found that even with TrustWallet, the experience was not good, while previously Coin98 Wallet was famous for requiring good hardware to ensure the user's experience.

1. I'm not willing to buy a Web3 phone, I will still trust the phone I'm using instead of having another cheap phone.

2. Aptos and Coin98 are following Solana, I wouldn't be surprised if some other blockchains would release their own phones or partner with a phone manufacturer to embed their applications into the device.

3. I do not find any value in Web3 phones, they do not help users experience Web3 better, they are just a way for marketing.

[Gladitorcomeback]

I wont call it a phone trend, as we previously had projects that promised to release an all-in-one phone-wallet-miner devices. Almost every one of them failed. What has Solana offered and started, this is not a phone trend, this is simply bonus hunting. I really doubt that  someone will really design, develop, order and manufacture something. I think project will again raise funds in exchange of a promise to develop, but in reality just send token or other benefits to those who preordered.

Exactly, the trend isn't for the phone itself because if it was, people would have preordered when it launched for the first time and not when BONK tokens were being airdropped. So the demand is for the token and not the phone and I'm pretty sure that there wouldn't be as much demand as there is for this one if they announce another model of the phone that would come with no tokens or anything.

I also strongly believe that the demand wouldn't be this high if the amount of tokens being airdropped didn't have a significant value in the market or it was a token that wasn't yet launched in the market and had any value at all.

[ABCbits]

I was really surprised with this decision of Coin98 team: they only care about reaching users while not thinking about the quality and safety of cheap smartphone devices under $100. I used to use a few cheap smartphones to install wallet applications and found that even with TrustWallet, the experience was not good, while previously Coin98 Wallet was famous for requiring good hardware to ensure the user's experience.

But have you checked hardware specification of Coin98/Jambo phone? They offer 8-CPU and 4GB RAM only for $99, which is sufficient to run most wallet software smoothly. Although being that cheap, i usually question it's privacy and whether they show ads on their built-in application.

[bitbit97]

But have you checked hardware specification of Coin98/Jambo phone? They offer 8-CPU and 4GB RAM only for $99, which is sufficient to run most wallet software smoothly. Although being that cheap, i usually question it's privacy and whether they show ads on their built-in application.

Tech specs are indeed look unreal for that price. I have checked my local mobile shops, and you can get a RealMe C30 with 8-CPU but 3GB ram for that price. And this is an old model already (2022 release date) with Android 11 on the board (up-to-date is Android 15). For $99 they offer new product. Hard to believe you would really get such specs for that price and something modern. Either they are on the are crowdfunding and would never produce any phone, or I dont know where they could save to make it cost so little. Probably it will be more a device that can answer calls or type text only, then run any app.

[0t3p0t]

1. Are you willing to buy Web3-phones?
2. Will Web3-phones become a trend for other blockchains to follow?
3. Are Web3-phones really necessary for the crypto/blockchain market?

1. I don't think I am buying one because I am currently using an Android phone that has more of a specs compared to the new trend of web3-phones. Android is more capable of doing almost anything because it is packed with so much power and features than maybe just a self centered web3-phone though I don't have one but for now I don't have plans.
3. I don't think so haven't had tested one yet but I am all good using my Android at the moment so I'll give it a pass for now maybe in the future we'll see how things goes.

[Lucius]

I think people just try to mix some buzzwords to make money in this crazy crypto space.
Web3 AI Blockchain Smartphone or whatever, words that don't even make sense together 
And people buy because all things just move up in these bull run times...

It's true, when we're in a bull run, everyone uses the opportunity to sell something, no matter how pointless it seems. Unfortunately, the saying goes that every product has its buyer, and when we know how powerful the internet is as a tool for promotion, if this phone were sold in every country in the world in just one copy, it would bring a nice profit.

[LogitechMouse]

I would like to know your opinion on the Web3-phones trend:

• Are you willing to buy Web3-phones?
• Will Web3-phones become a trend for other blockchains to follow?
• Are Web3-phones really necessary for the crypto/blockchain market?

1. No. Those smartphones are just like our android and iPhone phones. It's just that it's pre-installed with some crypto applications whatsoever. The reason why I bought a smartphone is for better gaming performance (since I'm a gamer). I will not buy a phone that focuses on cryptocurrency at all.
2. The BONK airdrop to those who bought the phone might've created a bit of a domino effect on other projects, but the effect isn't that high that I didn't hear that Solana launched a smartphone of their own, and airdropped those who bought the token. I don't think that it will be a trend, but there's a possibility that these projects will use that phone as a criterion for an airdrop of their token or whatever token it is. It can be as long as the total value of tokens that those who bought the phone will get is higher than the price of the smartphone.
3. No. It wasn't necessary, and I don't see any benefit of it TBH. I mean even though we are using android and iPhone phones, we can still have access to different wallets, so aside from that, what's with these Web3 phones that android and iPhone users don't have?