The Solana ecosystem is making strides into hardware with the upcoming release of its inaugural handheld gaming console.
Play Solana, a project focused on creating a Web3 gaming device on the Solana blockchain, announced that the Play Solana Gen 1 (PSG1) device will begin shipping on Oct. 6.
This device features gaming-ready specifications, including an octa-core ARM processor, 8 gigabytes of RAM, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, and a touch LCD display. Additionally, it comes with a built-in hardware wallet and fingerprint authentication, enabling users to securely store crypto assets while engaging in gaming.
A limited non-fungible token (NFT) collection has also been launched, granting a group of 2,000 holders early access and other benefits within the ecosystem.
Solana expands into physical products
This launch occurs as the Solana ecosystem continues to advance into consumer-friendly products, having previously tested waters with the Saga smartphone.
In 2022, Solana Mobile, a branch of Solana Labs, released Saga, an Android-based smartphone designed for blockchain use.
This device provided users with access to essential Web3 tools like a Seed Vault, the Solana Mobile Stack, and a decentralized applications (DApp) store tailored for participants in the Solana ecosystem.
The introduction of Saga elicited mixed reactions from the community but ultimately led to a successful launch in 2023, garnering significant interest from users.
In 2023, the product was listed on eBay for as high as $5,000, as it included a complimentary airdrop of the BONK memecoin. The phone originally retailed for $599 on the Solana Mobile website.
In 2024, Solana Mobile revealed plans for a second-generation mobile phone, promising that it would not merely be a “memecoin phone.”
By 2025, the phone achieved 150,000 pre-orders, with projected revenue of $67.5 million. On Aug. 5, Solana Mobile announced it began shipping the Seeker phone to over 50 countries.
Related: Solana gaming studio Mirror World raises $12M in funding
Web3 ventures into handheld gaming devices
In addition to Play Solana’s PSG1, the blockchain network Sui has also ventured into physical Web3 gaming devices.
In 2024, Sui blockchain creator Mysten Labs announced plans to release the SuiPlay0X1, a handheld gaming device integrated with the Sui network, expected in the first half of 2025.
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