Solana, the blockchain ecosystem company, has announced the release of its cryptocurrency and Web3 smartphone, Saga, which will be available for purchase on May 8, 2023. The Android smartphone has been specifically designed for Web3 applications, allowing users to self-custody their crypto assets using its Seed Vault feature. Pre-orders for the $1,000 smartphone will begin shipping on April 20. Solana Mobile’s Twitter account has stated that the team aims to “modernize how people interact with their digital assets for enhanced usability and increased security.”
The Saga smartphone comes with pre-installed decentralized applications (dapps) and runs on the Android 13 operating system. The phone includes a Seed Vault for securely storing crypto assets and offers 512 GB of storage. Its 6.67-inch OLED display pairs with a fingerprint scanner for extra security. The device charges using a USB-C cable and features a 50MP and 12MP ultrawide dual-camera system. The Seed Vault ensures protection of private keys through secure hardware and AES encryption, the device’s specifications note.
The smartphone is powered by the “Solana Mobile Stack” and boasts a Solana Dapp Store that currently hosts 16 dapps covering NFTs, DAOs, staking, and more. Solana’s Saga is not the first crypto-centric phone, with past examples including HTC’s Exodus, Samsung Galaxy S10’s crypto-integrated native apps, and Siren Labs’ $999 Finney blockchain smartphone. While both the Exodus and Finney concepts failed to gain traction, Samsung still offers the Samsung Blockchain Keystore SDK for Android systems.
The Cupertino-based privacy-first tech company OSOM crafted the Solana Saga phone. Founded by ex-Essential employee Jason Keats, OSOM recently closed a Series A funding round partnering with Solana Mobile, raising $25 million on September 9, 2022, according to Pitchbook data.
The Solana Saga phone is a significant addition to the blockchain ecosystem, offering enhanced security and usability to users. The phone’s Seed Vault feature ensures that private keys are protected through secure hardware and AES encryption, providing users with peace of mind. The Solana Dapp Store also offers a range of decentralized applications, including NFTs, DAOs, staking, and more. The phone’s release on May 8 is highly anticipated, and pre-orders are expected to be in high demand.
