Gaia Labs’ AI smartphone and Solana’s recent hardware developments illustrate a growing trend among Web3 companies to embed blockchain capabilities into consumer technology. These initiatives represent a departure from the traditional software-centric model of Web3, with projects now exploring tangible hardware devices such as smartphones and gaming consoles. The goal, according to industry players, is to create a new ecosystem where blockchain functionality is seamlessly integrated into everyday technology.

Gaia Labs, a company specializing in decentralized AI and Web3 infrastructure, announced its upcoming AI smartphone, which will be available in South Korea and Hong Kong. Built on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge hardware, the device is designed to run AI models locally, reducing dependency on cloud computing. Web3 features include on-chain identity support, a pre-loaded Gaia domain, and tools that allow users to deploy custom AI agents. This smartphone is the latest in a series of hardware experiments by blockchain companies seeking to bring decentralized technologies into the mainstream.

Solana, another key player, has been steadily expanding its presence in consumer hardware with its Saga smartphone and the more recent Play Solana Gen 1 (PSG1) handheld gaming console. The Saga, launched in 2023, featured a built-in Seed Vault and a DApp store tied to the BONK memecoin airdrop. It saw strong demand, with resell prices reaching up to $5,000 on platforms like eBay. In 2025, Solana Mobile announced the release of the PSG1, a gaming console with integrated Solana wallet functionality, fingerprint authentication, and access to the Solana DApp ecosystem. Pre-orders opened in 2025, with the first units set to ship in October.

The broader Web3 hardware movement has seen a range of participants experimenting with blockchain-integrated devices. HTC, for instance, launched the Exodus 1 in 2018, a blockchain-powered Android phone featuring a hardware wallet and support for multiple blockchains. More recently, luxury brand Vertu introduced the Metavertu, a dual Web2/Web3 smartphone with crypto wallet features and NFT support. These examples underscore a growing interest in creating consumer products that offer both traditional and decentralized functionalities.

Industry leaders emphasize that the success of these initiatives is not solely tied to market share but rather to the ability to demonstrate that decentralized alternatives to traditional tech can be technically and economically viable. Shashank Sripada, co-founder of Gaia Labs, stated that the aim is to prove that decentralized AI infrastructure and Web3 features can offer users a compelling alternative to centralized tech giants. Meanwhile, Solana Mobile’s Emmett Hollyer highlighted the company’s vision of building a mobile ecosystem that prioritizes crypto users and developers.

Beyond smartphones, the Web3 gaming sector has also seen the introduction of blockchain-powered hardware. In late 2024, Mysten Labs unveiled the SuiPlay0X1, a handheld console designed for full PC gaming with native Web3 features such as on-chain asset management. Similarly, Play Solana’s PSG1 marks a significant step in the integration of gaming and blockchain technology, offering users both gaming capabilities and secure crypto storage.

As Web3 continues to evolve, the convergence of blockchain and consumer hardware is gaining momentum. Companies like Gaia Labs and Solana are not just aiming to disrupt the smartphone or gaming industries but to redefine the way users interact with digital assets and decentralized applications. With further advancements and broader adoption, the future of consumer tech may increasingly reflect the decentralized ethos of Web3.

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[1] Web3 companies turn to hardware with crypto-powered … (https://cointelegraph.com/news/web3-gaia-hardware-crypto-phones-consoles) [2] Play Solana to ship handheld gaming device in October (https://cointelegraph.com/news/solana-play-psg1-web3-gaming-console-launch) [3] Solana’s Crypto and Web3 Smartphone ‘Saga’ Available to … (https://cryptorank.io/news/feed/4ff7a-solanas-crypto-and-web3-smartphone-saga-available-to-the-general-public-on-may-8) [4] Play Solana To Ship First Web3 Handheld Console PSG1 … (https://dataconomy.com/2025/08/28/play-solana-to-ship-first-web3-handheld-console-psg1-on-oct-6/)