Solana Unveils Second Web3 Smartphone called “The Seeker”
Solana Seeker has already attracted 140,000 customers and secured about $70 million in pre-orders.
Solana Mobile, a subsidiary of Solana Labs, unveiled its second Web3 smartphone, “The Seeker,” at the Token 2049 conference on Thursday. Set to launch in mid-2025, the Solana Seeker has already attracted 140,000 customers and secured about $70 million in pre-orders.
The early Founder pricing for Solana Seeker presales is available at $450 until September 21, 2024. Its predecessor, the Saga, launched at $1,000 in May last year to a lukewarm reception.
Initially, the device received poor reviews from both tech pundits and crypto users. However, a sudden 1,000% rally in the price of the memecoin Bonk (BONK) in December unexpectedly drove demand, causing the Saga to sell out on Dec. 16.
Speaking at TOKEN2049 in Singapore, Emmett Hollyer, General Manager at Solana Labs, emphasized that the Seeker would be “lighter, brighter, and better.” He clarified that Solana is not attempting to compete with mobile giants like Apple and Samsung, but instead, aims to maximize crypto utility in a handheld format.
Solana Co-Founder and Solana Labs CEO Anatoly Yakovenko further explained the company’s mission. “We founded Solana Mobile with the mission of taking crypto mobile,” he said. “To achieve that, we needed to make Seeker more accessible, more affordable, and for its hardware and software to be even more deeply integrated for web3.”
Solana Mobile Seeker’s Specifications
The Solana Seeker brings several cutting-edge features designed to differentiate it from other smartphones. Solana Mobile’s goal is to create a phone fully integrated with the Solana blockchain. The following Seeker features were announced:
Seed Vault Wallet A mobile-first crypto wallet natively integrated with the device’s built-in self-custodial Seed Vault, ensuring a seamless web3 experience. It features double-tap transactions and simplified account management, created in collaboration with Solflare exclusively for the Seeker.
Solana dApp Store 2.0 This version introduces an all-new rewards tracker and improved discoverability for apps across payments, DeFi, DePIN, NFTs, AI, and gaming. Solana Mobile also promises “zero fees and crypto-friendly policies” for the store.
Seeker Genesis Token A unique, soulbound NFT that unlocks opportunities for rewards, exclusive access, offers, and content throughout the Solana ecosystem.
Furthermore, Users will be able to utilize Alethea AI to generate tokenized AI agents, allowing for interactions on-chain with programs and the broader Solana community. The Seeker features notable improvements over the Saga, including a lighter weight, brighter display, enhanced camera, and extended battery life.
While the initial token rewards airdropped to Seeker users stands at around $265—significantly lower than the $1,350 offered to Saga users—Hollyer emphasized that rewards are only part of the device’s appeal.
