By Emmett Hollyer
When Solana Mobile launched its first device in 2023 — Solana Saga — web3 mobile was a huge unknown. Skeptics questioned whether the world needed another smartphone manufacturer. Traditional tech reviewers dismissed it, with MKBHD famously labeling Saga the "biggest bust of 2023."
But then, things changed. BONK happened. Rewards happened. It was like the entire Solana community came together to get behind the mission of web3 mobile. We sold over 15,000 devices in a single day. The Solana Saga sold out.
As we prepare to launch our second device — Solana Seeker — in mid-2025, it's become clear that we aren't just building another phone. We're building the infrastructure that will make cryptocurrency accessible and practical for everyday mobile users. And with over Seeker 150,000 preorders waiting to get in the hands of the Solana community already, that new paradigm is getting closer to reality every day.
The crypto landscape has long been defined by compromise when it comes to UI. Users toggle between multiple apps, navigate clunky interfaces, and accept subpar mobile experiences as the cost of participating in Web3.
Meanwhile, the existing duopoly of Apple and Google's app stores has created an environment where crypto applications struggle to reach users, hampered by restrictive policies and prohibitive revenue shares that scrape 30% off the top of all app revenues.
Our journey with Saga proved there was a better way. Even when initial sales were modest during the bear market of 2023, something remarkable happened: developers kept building. Teams who saw the potential of mobile-first crypto experiences created applications specifically for the Solana Mobile dApp store. When the market turned, Saga didn't just sell out, it validated our thesis that users were hungry for a mobile device that put crypto first.
Now, with Seeker, we're taking that vision global. Available worldwide at a more accessible $500 price point, Seeker represents the evolution of our initial concept. It's lighter, brighter, packed with new features like the Seed Vault Wallet and an updated dApp Store. But perhaps more importantly, it's a gateway to an ecosystem that's maturing at a phenomenal pace across digital assets, payments, DeFi, DePIN, AI, and gaming — and whatever the Solana ecosystem dreams up next.
The heart of this ecosystem is our dApp store, where developers keep 100% of their revenue – a stark contrast to the 30% taken by Apple and Google. This isn't just about developer economics; it's about new business models that can reward users directly. When developers don't have to give away a third of their revenue to platform gatekeepers, they can create innovative reward systems and incentive structures that benefit their communities.
We're also addressing one of the most persistent challenges for web3 mobile: wallet integration. Our new Seed Vault Wallet, developed in collaboration with Solflare, aims to make transaction signing seamless. No more switching between apps, managing deep links, or navigating complex confirmation flows. Seed Vault Wallet provides the kind of experience that could make crypto meaningfully more accessible to the next wave of users.
The response to Seeker suggests we're onto something. We’ve pre-sold over 150,000 devices. In markets where Android adoption is high and users are already comfortable with mobile payment systems, the leap to a crypto-first device isn't just logical – it's natural.
Critics might point to the role of token incentives and airdrops in driving initial adoption. Yes, many users are drawn to the incentives and rewards opportunities that come with Solana Mobile genesis tokens — and the Seeker Genesis Token will be no exception. But we see this as a feature, not a bug. Just as credit card rewards helped drive the adoption of digital payments, token incentives can serve as a bridge to broader crypto adoption. The key is what happens after users arrive — and we're seeing them stay for the experience.
Looking ahead, we envision a world where crypto-native mobile experiences become the norm, not the exception. While wearables and ambient computing may represent the future, smartphones remain the primary interface between users and their digital assets. By building devices that properly serve this use case, we're not just solving today's problems, we're laying the foundation for tomorrow's innovations.
Solana Seeker, shipping in mid-2025, represents more than just our second phone. It's a testament to the power of building with conviction through market cycles, listening to user feedback, and staying focused on a clear mission. We're not trying to compete with the tech giants on their terms. Instead, we're creating something entirely new: a mobile ecosystem that puts crypto users and developers first.
As we look to the future, our goal remains unchanged: to provide the best possible platform for crypto-native mobile experiences. Whether you're a developer building the next great Web3 application or a user looking for a more seamless way to interact with digital assets, we're building Seeker for you. The mobile crypto revolution is just beginning, and we're proud to be leading the charge.
Lean more at Solanamobile.com