At the TOKEN 2049 event in Singapore, Solana’s development team introduced their latest project—a new smartphone called “Seeker”. This new phone, scheduled for release in 2025, represents Solana’s continued push into the hardware market, following the success of their first phone line, Saga, which launched in 2023.
The name Seeker is symbolic, representing someone who is not afraid to explore the unknown, a fitting analogy for Solana’s ambitions in the Web3 space. According to Solana Mobile, a subsidiary of Solana Labs, pre-orders for the Seeker have already exceeded 140,000 units across 57 countries—a strong early showing for the next-generation device.
1/ We’ve been deep in build mode for months, and we’re excited to show you what we’ve been working on.
Introducing the next chapter of Solana Mobile: the Solana Seeker 🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/2UW3Wqhymw
— Seeker | Solana Mobile (@solanamobile) September 19, 2024
A Successor to Saga
The Seeker follows in the footsteps of Solana’s first smartphone, the Saga, which played a pivotal role in the explosive growth of the Solana ecosystem. In 2023, the Saga’s release coincided with the rise of the Solana memecoin BONK, which saw its value increase nearly 200-fold within just a few months.
Related: Bonk Price Prediction 2024 – 2030. How Far Can BONK Go?
Upgraded Hardware and Features
The new Seeker model promises several key hardware improvements over the Saga. Emmet Hollyer, CEO of Solana Mobile, outlined that the Seeker will feature a more powerful battery, an enhanced camera for sharper images, and a more compact design. These upgrades aim to elevate user experience, but Hollyer emphasized that Solana does not intend to compete directly with smartphone giants like Apple and Samsung.
Instead, Solana Mobile is focused on offering a device tailored specifically to Web3 and crypto enthusiasts. Seeker will come preloaded with the Solana dApp Store, which provides users with access to a wide variety of decentralized applications (dApps) across industries like gaming, DeFi, NFT, and DePIN. One of the key advantages for developers is that launching apps on the Solana dApp Store comes without the high fees typically associated with platforms like Apple’s App Store or Google Play.
Integrated Crypto Wallet and DePIN Capabilities
One of the standout features of Seeker will be the integration of the Seed Vault Wallet—a crypto wallet embedded directly into the phone’s hardware for secure self-storage. This feature has garnered praise from Anatoly Yakovenko, CEO of Solana Labs, who believes that Seeker could position itself as the leading Web3 smartphone upon its release.
The hardware will also be optimized for Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN) applications. Hollyer hinted at potential collaborations with projects like Helium and Infield, which will leverage the Seeker’s capabilities to further DePIN development. This aligns with a growing trend in the Web3 space, as more companies explore decentralized infrastructure models.
Strong Support from Venture Capital
In a related development, Borderless Capital announced a new $100 million fund to support DePIN projects. This funding signals the rising interest in decentralized infrastructure among venture capital firms, which are increasingly turning their attention to DePIN alongside other emerging trends like AI and Real World Assets (RWA).
Pre-Order and Pricing
The Seeker is currently available for pre-order for “Early Founders” at a special price of $450, with the pre-order window closing on September 21. After that, the price will return to the base price of $500.
As the launch date approaches, the Seeker promises to further establish Solana’s place in the Web3 ecosystem, positioning itself as a unique tool for crypto enthusiasts and a gateway to decentralized applications. With hardware improvements, integrated Web3 tools, and growing interest from venture capital, the Seeker is set to make a major impact when it hits the market in 2025.
Related news: Solana Hits Record with Over 5 Million Daily Active Addresses
