Solana has just announced its latest smartphone, the “Seeker,” which comes at half the price of its predecessor, the Saga. Priced between $450 and $500 for pre-orders, Seeker promises a range of exciting new features while distancing itself from being known as just the “memecoin phone.”
Saga, launched last year, faced early criticism due to its technical limitations. However, its sales received a boost in December 2022 when a sudden 1,000% rise in the memecoin Bonk (BONK) led to a Saga sell-out. Solana hasn’t forgotten that moment and plans to offer similar rewards to Seeker buyers.
Speaking at TOKEN2049 in Singapore, Emmett Hollyer, General Manager at Solana Labs, described Seeker as a “rewards magnet.” However, he emphasized that it won’t rely solely on memecoins for appeal. “Seeker, just like Saga, will be a rewards magnet, but also, it’s a huge opportunity for teams to build totally new experiences,” Hollyer said.
The new device will feature an upgraded dApp store and improved hardware, with Hollyer stating that Seeker will support a wide range of use cases, from memecoins to DeFi, payments, and gaming.
To address past concerns, Seeker comes with better hardware, including a higher-quality screen, improved cameras, and a longer-lasting battery.
Hollyer said the phone would be “lighter, brighter, and better” but clarified that Solana is not aiming to compete with mobile giants like Apple and Samsung. Instead, they aim to maximize crypto utility in a handheld format.
One standout feature of Seeker is its open DApp store, which will allow developers to launch and deploy new applications more easily, bypassing the restrictive policies of Apple and Google. Hollyer noted that token launchpads, which are often hindered by the 30% fees from traditional app stores, would thrive on Seeker.
Though the initial token rewards airdropped to Seeker users stands at around $265, far lower than the $1,350 for Saga users, Hollyer argued that rewards are only part of the device’s appeal. The bigger picture is Seeker’s potential to host a wide range of new crypto experiences, including apps related to the Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN), like Helium.
With its zero-fee app store and crypto-friendly innovation, Seeker is expected to open up new possibilities for developers and users, making it a game-changer for Solana’s ecosystem.
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