Jambo’s $99 Smartphone Aims to Crack Crypto Adoption Code in Emerging Markets

Reaching non-crypto natives is a major hurdle for the industry, but Jambo Technology might have found a solution with their affordable web3 smartphone targeted towards emerging markets like Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.

A person with the handle @DaveWangMIA on Twitter wrote in about Jambo phones:

Distribution especially to non-crypto natives is one of the hardest challenges in crypto@JamboTechnology may have cracked the code to reach millions in Africa, LatAm, and SEA with their $99 web3 smartphone📱

Anyone building in emerging markets, DePIN, & web3 consumer should… pic.twitter.com/gn2dyKUvYm

— Dave | Emerging Markets (@DaveWangMIA) February 21, 2024

The $99 JamboPhone boasts better performance than competitors in its price range, thanks to higher RAM and improved specs. This tackles a key pain point for low-income consumers who often struggle with sluggish devices.

Users can earn crypto through pre-installed partner apps, including both web2 giants like TikTok and web3 players like Aptos, Matr1x, and Sleepagotchi. This not only incentivizes crypto usage but also allows users to effectively “pay off” their phone over time.

Crypto adoption is surging in emerging markets due to factors like hyperinflation, large unbanked populations, and currency restrictions. Jambo capitalizes on this trend by targeting users already open to blockchain technology and offering them a gateway into the web3 world.

By selling hardware at near zero margin and focusing on software revenue, Jambo undercuts traditional phone players while providing better specs. This creates a win-win for both the company and users.

This strategy fuels a continuous cycle. Consumers buy the upgraded JamboPhone, earn crypto to pay it off, attract more partners offering earning opportunities, leading to more phone sales and lower production costs. Jambo has already shipped to 40 countries and has manufacturing agreements with leading players, ensuring scalability.

JamboPhone unlocks several web3 opportunities:

• DePIN: The phone’s capabilities can address the hardware bottleneck for DePIN and validators, enabling more people to participate in decentralized network infrastructure.
• Gaming: Pre-installed web3 games like Sleepagotchi and Matr1x showcase the potential for Jambo to partner with other gaming projects seeking wider distribution.

99 Capital, an investor focused on web3 in emerging markets, supports Jambo and sees it as a key player in bringing crypto to underserved regions. They are collaborating with Jambo to assist their portfolio companies in pre-installs and partnerships.