In a blog announcement on Feb. 15, Aptos Foundation said it has entered into a collaboration with African tech startup Jambo to roll out its rival for Solana‘s Saga, dubbed JamboPhone. According to Jambo, the smartphone, boasting Android 13 and a 6.5″ IPS LCD display, is reportedly already on sale in numerous emerging markets, starting at $99.

While Jambo touts its product as “the best gaming smartphone in its class,” it looks similar to the Chinese custom smartphone AGM Mobile N1, which also shares similar hardware and is priced at $85 on Alibaba for orders of six or more units.

Nevertheless, Aptos Foundation stressed that JamboPhone represents more than just a device, labeling it “a bridge to the Aptos ecosystem” due to pre-installed applications tailored to Aptos’s ecosystem, such as Petra, an Aptos-compatible digital wallet.

“By prioritizing accessibility and education, we aim to ensure that the benefits of technological advancement are accessible to all, paving the way for a more connected and empowered global community.”

Aptos Foundation

Following the announcement, the price of Aptos’s cryptocurrency, APT, surged by nearly 3% and is currently trading at $10.6, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

The successful launch of smartphones has emerged as a win-win strategy for crypto projects seeking to bolster activity within their ecosystems. For instance, Solana has already launched pre-orders for the second generation of its Saga smartphone, anticipated to be more affordable than its predecessor and scheduled for shipment in the first half of 2025.

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