The Success of Ethereum Smartphone Pre-sale
In a massive display of demand and successful execution, the pre-sale of an intricate Ethereum (ETH) -based smartphone sold out in just 24 hours. This groundbreaking development saw the first 50 mobile devices incorporated with an operating system founded on a network of smart contracts, all being bought within the first day of being available for pre-order.
The Ethereum Smartphone: What Is It?
Dubbed the “Ethereum Phone,” this device is a unique modification of the Google Pixel 7a that boasts an open-source operating system called the ethOS. Short for the Ethereum Operating System, ‘ethOS’ also carries the meaning of “character” in Greek, always reminding users of the phone’s distinctive blockchain-centric functionality.
ethOS phone. Source: X (Twitter)
Key Features of the Ethereum Smartphone
- Built-in Ethereum Light Client: What sets this smartphone apart from its Web3 competitors is the integration of an Ethereum light client into the ethOS operating system. The addition of this feature means that these devices can independently validate blocks themselves, essentially making every ‘Ethereum Phone’ a “light node” on the Ethereum network.
- Multiple Built-in Tools: The Ethereum smartphone goes beyond the regular smartphone capabilities, providing various tools for handling payments and messages. Users can send and receive messages right from their operating system.
- Ethereum Name Services (ENS) Integration: To ease the payment process, Ethereum Name Services (ENS) has been incorporated into the system, providing intuitive domain names instead of the typical complex alphanumeric addresses associated with blockchain transactions. In addition, Ethereum smartphones support Ethereum Virtual Machines (EVM) and Layer 2 scaling networks.
Limited Availability via NFT Purchase
A unique approach was taken to the pre-sale of these smartphones; only 50 such devices were available initially. To qualify for the purchase of an Ethereum smartphone, potential buyers had to acquire an ethOS non-fungible token (NFT). Once they had this NFT in their possession, buyers could then burn or destroy it to confirm their reservation for the phone.
ethOS NFT. Source: OpenSea
However, buyers were cautioned about the presence of fake NFTs on OpenSea, the largest NFT trading platform. Some ethOS NFTs are being advertised for sale at quite high prices; three Ethereum, or nearly $5,000. This is a stark contrast to the Google Pixel 7a’s price of just $499 in the US.
Market Competition in the Mobile Web3 Space
The successful debut of the Ethereum smartphones brings a significant rival into the mobile Web3 space. Notably, the Solana (SOL) smartphone has seemingly had a less successful start with a little over 2,000 units sold according to Flipside records.
To stimulate sales, Solana Labs recently reduced the price of their crypto phone from $1,000 to $599. Interestingly, this price cut was announced shortly after news of the upcoming Ethereum smartphone unveiling in fall 2023.
To delve deeper into the intricacies of the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), click here.
