Ethereum’s latest innovation, the ethOS smartphone, designed to seamlessly integrate with Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) chains and Layer 2 scaling technologies, has left the tech world abuzz as it sold out its pre-orders within just one day. Meanwhile, its competitor, Solana’s Saga phone, found itself compelled to reduce its price by a staggering 40% due to sluggish sales. The contrasting fortunes of these two blockchain-based smartphones provide a glimpse into the growing interest in Ethereum’s mobile technology.

Ethereum Phones: A Glimpse into the Future

Dubbed “Ethereum Phones,” these devices are powered by Google Pixel 7a hardware and run on an open-source operating system named ethOS, a clever fusion of “Ethereum operating system” and the Greek word for “character.” What sets them apart is the inclusion of a built-in Ethereum light client, enabling independent block validation, effectively rendering each device a “light node” on the Ethereum network.

Beyond that, these smartphones come equipped with tools for handling payments, messaging, and seamless integration with Ethereum Name Services (ENS) to simplify payments. They also extend support to Ethereum Virtual Machines (EVM) and Layer 2 scaling networks, promising a comprehensive user experience.

How to Get Your Hands on an Ethereum Phone? The Solana Saga Comparison

However, there is a catch. To acquire Ethereum smartphones, prospective buyers must mint their unique non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and subsequently either burn or destroy them. These special NFTs are now available on OpenSea, where some are trading for as high as 3 ETH, equivalent to $5,000. This pricing strategy has raised eyebrows, especially when considering that the Google Pixel 7A is available at a mere $499 in the U.S.

It is evident that Ethereum’s smartphone offerings have cast a shadow over the growth of Solana-based smartphones. Solana Labs recently made the bold move of slashing the price of their crypto phone from $1,000 to $599 after selling a modest 2,000 units. This price reduction came hot on the heels of the announcement of the Ethereum smartphone’s forthcoming regular sale in the fall of 2023.

Learning from the Past

This integration of blockchain technology into smartphones, offering unique features and capabilities to users, is not entirely novel. In the past, luxury smartphone brand “Vertu” attempted to launch the “first Web3 phone” during the metaverse frenzy. However, they grappled with legal complications and security concerns, ultimately hindering their phone’s operational viability.

These recent developments underscore the intensifying competition in the mobile Web3 space, where blockchain technology is seamlessly integrated into smartphones to provide users with groundbreaking features and experiences. Ethereum’s ethOS smartphone, with its rapid sellout, seems to be setting the pace in this exciting frontier of technology.