Both HTC and Solana are working on crypto phones. Could it be the “iPhone moment” for the Metaverse and crypto enthusiasts?
When the iPhone was released in 2007, it popularized smartphones and changed the way we use them today. Could crypto phones have a similar impact?
While everyone is talking about the Metaverse, there’s been little discussion about how we will access it. Sure, there are a few startups working on AR glasses, but what about everyone else?
The majority of people still use smartphones and that is unlikely to change anytime soon.
That’s where crypto phones come in.
What Are Crypto Phones?
Before talking about anything else, we need to ask the most obvious question – what is a crypto phone? A phone that helps you mine Bitcoin? A phone that only allows you to play Axie Infinity? No, not quite.
A crypto phone is a next-gen device that combines the security of a hardware crypto wallet with a high-processing power smartphone. In other words, it’s a phone that allows you to store your crypto keys offline (cold storage) and use them for transactions, dapps, and more.
But there’s another possibility – that crypto phones could be the key to mass adoption of the Metaverse.
Through a high-performance, Blockchain-based smartphone, you can potentially have easy access to the Metaverse community. By connecting a VR headset to your phone, you can enter into Metaverse and explore all the possibilities that it offers.
Well, that’s the basic idea. at least.
HTC Desire 22 Pro
The first company to release an affordable crypto phone no more than four years ago was HTC. When they released their Exodus 1 model, they managed to make a splash in the crypto world, as it was one of the first phones that allowed you to store your crypto offline.
This year, however, they are back with a new model – the Desire 22 Pro – which allows users to manage their cryptocurrencies, store NFTs and navigate the Metaverse from a single app.
The VIVERSE platform combines multiple technologies, including, AI, VR, and Blockchain with 5G to bring the Metaverse to reality. In addition, the phone will combine with VIVE Flow VR glasses to provide an immersive experience.
Solana Saga
On the other side of the spectrum, we have Solana’s Saga. Another crypto smartphone that will run Google’s Android OS. It has a lightning-fast processor and will come with Saga Pass, an NFT on the Solana Blockchain.
The phone will soon be available for preorders with a $100 deposit and the phone is expected to hit the market in Q1 2023 with a price tag of $1,000
While the phone is not specifically designed for the Metaverse, it does have the potential to be a game-changer. It will support decentralized apps based on the Solana Blockchain.
So far, the phone has received support from numerous companies, including NFT marketplace Magic Eden, crypto wallet manufacturer Phantom, and the crypto exchange Orca.
Will Crypto Phones Have a Widespread Audience?
That’s the million-dollar question.
It’s still too early to tell. The phones are high on both technology and cost. So it will be interesting to see how the general public reacts to them.
They could possibly bring the Metaverse to the masses and help with mass adoption. But only time will tell.
For now, we can only wait and see.
