Solana unveils a new smartphone 'Seeker' following the Saga series.

Solana has officially launched its latest smartphone, ‘Seeker,’ which it promotes as a significant leap forward in Web3 mobile technology.

Priced at nearly half the cost of its predecessor, the Seeker is aimed at attracting a broader user base with enhanced features, beyond just meme coin enthusiasts.

In a recent post on Twitter, Solana stated, “This is the ultimate Web3 mobile device, designed to harmonize hardware and software.”

Saga gains attention after Bonk surge

The previous model, Saga, which was launched in May last year, initially struggled to gain popularity.

It received lukewarm reviews from both tech critics and cryptocurrency users.

However, in an unexpected turn of events, the value of the meme coin Bonk (BONK) skyrocketed by 1,000% in December, leading to a surge in interest. By mid-December, the device was completely sold out.

As a result, Solana is now looking to replicate this success with the Seeker, targeting around 140,000 users who had pre-ordered the device, paying between $450 and $500.

While Solana has promised various rewards to these users, it emphasized that the Seeker offers more than just a chance to ride the meme coin trend.

Anatoly Yakovenko, co-founder of Solana and CEO of Solana Labs, stated, “We founded Solana Mobile with the mission of bringing cryptocurrency to mobile.”

“To achieve this, we needed to make Seeker more accessible, more affordable, and ensure that hardware and software are more deeply integrated with Web 3.0.”

One of the Seeker’s key features is an upgraded decentralized app (DApp) store, designed to provide developers with a platform to quickly launch new applications.

However, the hardware upgrades in the new model are also aimed at attracting buyers.

3/ Introducing Seed Vault Wallet, created for Seeker in partnership with @solflare_wallet!

This mobile-first wallet integrates with Seed Vault for seamless self-custody. Send transactions with a double tap and get a smoother, upgraded UX. pic.twitter.com/o0cOnRlBsy

— Seeker | Solana Mobile (@solanamobile) September 19, 2024

The original Saga received criticism for its technical limitations compared to mainstream devices like the iPhone or Google Pixel.

Now, the Seeker is expected to be “lighter, brighter, and better” than its predecessor, offering a higher-quality screen, improved camera, and better battery life.

Seeker users will receive an airdrop worth approximately $265

As the Seeker aims to transcend the “meme coin phone” label, investors expecting substantial rewards might need to lower their expectations.

According to Solana’s mobile airdrop tracker, Troot, the value of tokens currently airdropped to Seeker users is around $265, significantly less than the $1,350 worth of rewards given to Saga users.

Nonetheless, Solana argues that the Seeker’s main selling point is its potential to offer users a wide range of cryptocurrency integration experiences.

For instance, the device’s fee-free app store is a unique feature that could foster crypto-friendly innovation in ways that existing app stores, constrained by Apple and Google policies, cannot.

At present, token launchpads like PumpFun, a meme coin distributor, find it difficult to operate under the current app store guidelines, which require developers to forfeit 30% of token sales and undergo complex review processes.

Instead, the Seeker will serve as a hub for token launchpads and other Web 3.0 applications. The device is expected to solidify its role as a pioneering tool in the Web3.0 space by providing integration support for decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) apps like Helium and Infield.