This is a Crypto Phone. Don’t Buy It.
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Promos
The worst part is this device had some hope before it went down this path The data blocker cable: amzn.to USB-A data blocker: amzn.to MKBHD Merch: shop.mkbhd.com Tech I'm using right now: amazon.com Intro Track: Jordyn Edmonds Playlist of MKBHD Intro music: goo.gl Phone provided by Saga for review. ~ twitter.com @MKBHD @MKBHD
This video presents a detailed critique of the OSOM OV1, marketed as a crypto phone built around Solana’s ecosystem. The host frames the device as an upper mid range Android phone that is heavily biased by its niche crypto features, and he argues that the core hardware and software are ordinary for the price, apart from the specialized crypto stack. He traces the phone’s lineage from the Essential Phone to OSOM, explaining how a promising hardware team reassembled after the original project failed, and how a partnership with Solana pivoted the OV1 into a crypto-centric product. The three defining crypto elements are the Solana Mobile Stack SDK, the Seed Vault for securely storing a seed phrase, and a dedicated D App store for crypto apps. The review dives into practical takeaways: the solid build quality and stock Android experience are offset by middling cameras, a dated chipset for flagship performance, and a price that quickly dropped from $1,000 to $600, making the value proposition highly questionable for most buyers. In conclusion, the host emphasizes that while the crypto features are technically niche and could be compelling to a small audience, for 99.99% of people there are far better options, and the phone remains a risky bet for a brand-new hardware venture in a volatile crypto ecosystem.
Topics · technology · smartphones · consumer-electronics · blockchain · product-reviews · hardware-design
Questions answered
- What makes the OSOM OV1 a crypto phone and is that justification for the price?
- The OSOM OV1 is defined by three features: the Solana Mobile Stack SDK for Solana-based apps, a Seed Vault for securely storing a 24-word seed, and a D app store for crypto apps. Those features create a crypto-centric experience but do not substantially elevate core smartphone value like camera quality or battery life, making the price hard to justify for most buyers.
- How does the OSOM OV1 compare to mainstream Android phones at a similar price?
- Compared with flagship-like phones at the same or lower price, the OV1 offers stock Android performance and premium materials but weaker cameras and an older processor, with crypto-specific features that only appeal to a niche audience, resulting in limited broad appeal.