A remarkable turnaround in the world of blockchain and consumer electronics unfolded as Solana’s Saga phone, once considered a commercial disappointment, experienced a dramatic surge in sales and value. This resurgence is attributed to the inclusion of a substantial airdrop of the dog-themed meme token, BONK.
On eBay, various sellers, predominantly from the United States, have listed these phones for over $2,000 each, with some units fetching as high as $5,000. The key to this sudden spike in demand and price lies in the phones being “sealed and unopened,” which ensures the eligibility for the airdrop of 30 million BONK tokens. This airdrop, at its peak, was valued at over $700, far exceeding the initial price of the phone, set at $599.
This phenomenon was not anticipated earlier in the year when the Saga phone was first released. Originally priced at $1,000, its cost was later reduced to $599 due to lackluster sales, casting doubts about its future. Solana founder Anatoly Yakovenko expressed concerns about the phone’s market reception, indicating that significant sales were necessary to attract developers and users.
However, the unexpected rise of the BONK token in November, which saw an increase of over 110% in a single day and a staggering 700% over 30 days, played a pivotal role in altering the fate of the Saga phone. The token’s popularity among blockchain enthusiasts created a unique opportunity for arbitrage traders and collectors, leading to the phone selling out in the U.S. and European Union, as shared by Solana co-founder Raj Gokal.
This surprising twist in the Saga phone’s journey underscores the unpredictable nature of the tech and crypto markets, where a meme token can breathe new life into a struggling product.
