Seeker Aims to Save Solana Mobile’s Web3 Phone After Saga
Solana Mobile’s first Web3 phone, the Saga, launched in May 2023 at $1,000 and aimed to capture the emerging mobile crypto market. Sales reached only 20,000 units, below the 50,000 goal, due to high-end hardware costs and the collapse of partner OSOM. Without ongoing device support, Saga phones lost firmware updates and security patches. A surprise in late 2023: each Saga shipped with 30 million BONK tokens, triggering an airdrop-driven arbitrage that pushed sales up to 25,000 in 48 hours.
In January 2024, Solana Mobile introduced its second-generation Web3 phone, the Seeker, priced at $450–500. The Seeker features improved hardware, SeekerID authentication, an upgraded dApp store and developer incentives. Early-bird discounts and planned SKR token airdrops generated over 150,000 preorders, equating to $67.5 million in anticipated revenue. While Seeker’s price cut and token model enhanced its appeal, traders will watch whether the new Web3 phone delivers genuine security benefits and sustained user engagement beyond speculative airdrops.
Bullish
Short-term, the Seeker preorder surge and SKR token airdrop promises have generated strong buy signals and heightened interest across the Solana network. These factors are likely to boost SOL trading activity and token demand. Long-term, if the Seeker delivers real security benefits, sustained user engagement and a thriving dApp ecosystem, it will strengthen Solana’s utility and underpin SOL’s market value. However, reliance on speculative airdrops remains a risk factor for lasting price support.