The Solana Ecosystem Expands into Hardware
The Solana ecosystem is making strides into hardware with the upcoming launch of its inaugural handheld gaming console.
Play Solana, a project focused on creating a Web3 gaming device utilizing the Solana blockchain, has announced that it will begin shipping its Play Solana Gen 1 (PSG1) device on October 6.
This device is packed with gaming-ready specifications, featuring an octa-core ARM processor, 8 gigabytes of RAM, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, along with a touch LCD display. Additionally, it incorporates a built-in hardware wallet and fingerprint authentication, allowing users to securely store crypto assets while engaging in games.
Furthermore, it has launched a limited non-fungible token (NFT) collection, granting a select group of 2,000 holders early access and various perks within the ecosystem.
This release aligns with the Solana ecosystem’s ongoing pursuit of consumer-facing products, following earlier initiatives such as the Saga smartphone.
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In 2022, Solana Mobile, a division of Solana Labs, introduced Saga—a blockchain-centric, Android-based smartphone. This device provided users with access to essential Web3 tools such as a Seed Vault, the Solana Mobile Stack, and a decentralized applications (DApp) store specifically designed for the Solana community.
The launch of the Saga smartphone elicited mixed feedback from community members, but it ultimately achieved a successful release in 2023, igniting excitement among users.
In 2023, the product was sold for as much as $5,000 on eBay, particularly since the phone included a complimentary airdrop of the BONK memecoin. Initially, it was priced at $599 on the Solana Mobile website.
Moving into 2024, Solana Mobile announced a second-generation mobile device, asserting it would be more than just a “memecoin phone.”
By 2025, the phone garnered 150,000 pre-orders, with revenue projected at $67.5 million. On August 5, Solana Mobile reported that it started shipping the Seeker phone across more than 50 countries.
In addition to Play Solana’s PSG1, the blockchain network Sui has also ventured into physical Web3 gaming devices.
In 2024, Mysten Labs, the creators of the Sui blockchain, announced plans to launch SuiPlay0X1, a handheld gaming device that will be integrated with the Sui network in the first half of 2025.
