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HTC blockchain phone can be pre-ordered now (but only with crypto)
- The promised blockchain phone from HTCis here: the HTCExodus 1.
- The phone has a dedicated crypto wallet, separate from Android, and has a few crypto-centric features.
- The HTCExodus 1 can be pre-ordered now, but only in crypto. The current exchange price puts it around $960.
Earlier this year, HTC promised it would bring a blockchain phone to market with a slew of features dedicated to the use of cryptocurrencies as well as personal privacy and security. Today, that promised smartphone is here: the HTC Exodus 1.
The HTCExodus 1 is available for pre-order now. However, don’t rush off just yet, as this is a pre-order situation unlike most others.
First, let’s discuss what the phone actually does. The HTCExodus 1 contains a crypto wallet kept in a “secure enclave” called the Zion Wallet which is totally separate from the Android operating system. In the Zion Wallet, you can keep cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum as well as other crypto-based properties.
When HTCwas hyping up the phone, it said each device would also act as a node for crypto exchanges and would have immersive privacy and security features so you could “own your own identity.” However, it doesn’t appear any of that came to be.
Instead, the HTCExodus is essentially an HTC U12 Plus with a dedicated crypto wallet.
There is one neat feature which allows you to protect your wallet should your phone get lost, stolen, or destroyed. You can give your key recovery details to trustworthy friends or family members and then piece together the information using an encrypted sharing algorithm if needed. That is, of course, if whoever stole your phone doesn’t gain access to your crypto and take it all.
The specs for the HTCExodus 1 are pretty typical for 2018 flagships, and look a lot like the aforementioned HTCU12 Plus. Check them out below:
| HTC Exodus 1 | |
|---|---|
Display | 6.0” Quad HD+ 18:9 aspect ratio |
CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 |
RAM | 6GB DDR4x |
Storage | 128GB UFS2.1 |
Battery | 3,500mAh Fast-charging support |
Cameras | Rear: 12MP + 16MP main camera with high-quality zoom Front: 8MP + 8MP dual front camera with natural Bokeh |
Durability | IP68 certified |
Software | Android 8.1 Oreo |
SIM | Single nano SIM |
Bands | FDD Bands B4, B12, B17, B28, B20 B5, B8, B3, B1, B7 B32, B2, B13, B66 TDD Bands B39, B40, B38, B41 |
Network | Cat. 18 Gigabit LTE 2G/2.2G/2.5G GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz 3G UMTS AWS/850/900/1900/2100 (B4/B5/B8/B2/B1) HSDPA 42, HSUPA 5.76 |
Included in Box | HTC Rapid Charger 3.0 with USB Type-C Cable HTC Clear Case HTC USonic Adaptive Earphones |
As you can see from the video and photo above, the HTCExodus 1 has a clear backing which supposedly gives an inside look at the devices clearly-labeled innards. While we don’t know for certain if we’re looking at the actual hardware of the device, the back looks a lot like the false backing of the Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition — which was eventually confirmed to be totally fake. Whether it’s fake or not, do you really need all your device’s hardware bits labeled?
Now that you have all the info on the device, how do you actually get it? HTChas a pre-order page set up as one would expect, but you can’t use typical currency to buy the phone. Instead, you must use either 0.15 Bitcoin or 4.78 Ethereum, which equates right now to about $960. Since the value of cryptocurrencies fluctuates quite a bit, that dollar amount could go up or down by the time you actually place your order.
The HTCExodus 1 will be available in 34 countries, including the United States, most of Europe, Taiwan, New Zealand, Singapore, and more. The phone will be available in Hong Kong but not in China, as Chinese laws do not allow for trading of cryptocurrency.
Click the button below to pre-order your HTCExodus 1.