- Solana’s SAGA phone undergoes a major price reduction.
- The number of sales was far from the figures that suggest mass adoption.
- Mixed reactions from early adopters and the crypto community.
In the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, Solana has been a name synonymous with innovation. Its latest venture, the Saga phone, aimed to bridge the gap between the crypto world and everyday users. However, recent price reductions have stirred a pot of mixed reactions, leading many to question the phone’s viability and Solana’s strategy.
Solana’s Slashing Saga Prices Amid Poor Sales
On Wednesday, August 9, Solana announced a major price cut for its Saga phone, reducing it from its original price of $1,000 to $599. This decision comes after what is believed to be months of underwhelming sales since its official release earlier in the year.
While total sales numbers are not public, it is possible to track Saga phone sales using crypto. On-chain data shows that From April 12, 2023, to June 21, 2023, Solana received 1,200 unique orders. Total sales in USDC reached 816.2k by June 20, 2023.
While on-chain data does not track credit card purchases, another metric shows a more complete picture. Currently, there are 2,200 unique owners of Saga Genesis NFTs. These NFTs give unique rewards and are exclusive to Saga owners.
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Such numbers suggest that the total sales volume of Saga phones is close to 2,200. These figures don’t suggest that Saga will be the gateway to Web3 for the masses, so it is likely that this price reduction aims to attract more users to the ecosystem.
Solana Community’s Mixed Reactions: Saga Owners Feel Betrayed
The crypto community is divided over the SAGA phone’s price reduction. While some see it as a positive step towards making web3 more accessible, others feel betrayed. Early adopters like express disappointment, having paid a premium price only to see it slashed shortly after.
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“So glad I paid full price for this,” one user stated sarcastically. “The dApp store has barely been updated since launch in case anyone is on the fence about buying one,” they added.
Tweets from users highlight the frustrations of early buyers who feel shortchanged by the sudden price drop.
“As someone who paid $1000+ for this phone, this feels a bit like I was tricked,” another user exclaimed.
Despite underwhelming sales, Solana emphasizes their commitment to the Web3 mobile experience. Moreover, they highlighted features like the exclusive Claynosaurz NFT and continuous additions to the Solana App Store.
On the Flipside
- The cost of entry into the Android phone manufacturing market is meager. Thanks to its open-source operating system, and numerous manufacturers, companies can offer their phones with little investment. The real costs are in developing custom software for the device.
- Most smartphone manufacturers make 50% – 70% margins on the initial price of their phones on launch. Notably, these don’t include the costs of marketing and software development.
Why This Matters
Mobile devices remain the preferred gateway for the majority into the digital realm. This is why a Web3 phone is crucial for crypto adoption.
Read more about Solana’s entry into mobile:
Solana’s Saga Phone Is Here: Web3 for the Masses?
Read more about the TON wallet on Telegram:
Is Telegram Set to Beat Musk’s X to Payments via New Wallet?
