Solana Sunday: The Solana Saga Smartphone
The team behind the Solana network recently announced that they have been developing a new phone called the Saga which will be available in 2023.
The phone is being developed with web3 capability in mind so that users will be able to access and interact with the Solana network using a native mobile device.
Pre-order information can be found here.
Solana Saga
On the surface, the Solana Saga looks like an ordinary phone, however, it is a high-powered smartphone with hardware comparable to many top-tier products available on the market.
Solana Saga Specs:
6.67" OLED display
12 GB RAM,
512 GB storage
Snapdragon® 8+ Gen 1 Mobile Platform
While not intended to compete against the latest Apple or Samsung phones, it creates a new playing field for devices that are built with blockchain technology. That is where this product will shine brightest.
Android OS & The Solana Mobile Stack SDK
The device is designed to work on the Android operating system so it will be fully integrated with most Google services. This is a benefit to users because many web3 applications, such as the Phantom wallet for Solana, are built for Google Chrome browsers.
The phone will also come with a Solana Mobile Stack SDK so that developers can create new applications and features that are meant for the phone. The Solana network has claimed that this SDK is already available to developers so we expect to see some new applications ready by the time the phone is made available to the public.
Security and the Seed Vault
A primary concern that has been addressed is how the Solana team plans to integrate safety measures into the device so that private keys and recovery phrases can’t be captured by applications asking for permissions or malicious activity.
To do this, the team created something called the Seed Vault. This safebox is designed as a storage place for private keys recovery phrases, and any other information that needs to be kept private to maintain wallet security.
However, the seed vault will still be able to access the application layer so that it can connect a wallet to all of the applications that will be developed for the phone and require a Solana wallet to access.
Saga Pass NFT
In addition to the Solana Saga, there will also be an NFT collection called the Saga Pass that comes out in conjunction with the new mobile product.
The NFT will act as an early membership for buyers and will be made available to those who pre-order the phone. The Saga Pass collection comes with its own set of features which are expected to help influence the future of the Solana Mobile Stack, allowing for the community to vote on the direction of the Solana Saga.
Web3 goes mobile
Smartphones are, without a doubt, one of the most impactful creations of the 21st century alongside blockchains, social media, and cloud storage. Their influence on societies across the world during the last decade can not be overstated - they have changed the way humans interact with each other.
While web3 is already accessible from mobile devices, it is still clunky. Adding private keys to a phone is not a seamless process and can be difficult for many people who are not crypto-savvy. The Solana Saga aims to change all that with its native Solana software housed inside of it.
Hopefully, more decentralized networks will follow down this path. Implementing networks such as bitcoin or Ethereum into more mobile products can be a boon for both the smartphone and web3 industries.
Depending on how well the Solana Saga runs, this could be a major catalyst for the mass adoption of cryptocurrency.
