Solana Saga is the first mobile phone launched by a blockchain company in April 2023. The phone brings a seamless Web3 experience, including a decentralized application (DApp) store and integration with crypto wallets and DApps. Users can create Solana wallets during the setup process and use their fingerprints to sign transactions. The phone has a Snapdragon processor, 12GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and a 4,110-mAh battery.
The Solana-Powered DApp Store
The Solana-powered DApp store currently has over 25 apps, including games, NFTs, decentralized finance (DeFi), and social categories. One of the key advantages of using Saga is the exclusive access to several DApps, such as Dialect, a messaging app that allows users to use NFT stickers and gamify collections, and Mintify, which connects to users’ photos and allows minting them instantly.
Limitations of Solana Saga
However, the Saga costs $1,000 apiece, making it a big investment for liquidity-drained Web3 users. The DApp store experience has received mixed feedback due to technical glitches, and only three games are available as of May 26, 2023. Moreover, Saga does not support e-Sims, which may be a disadvantage for frequent travelers who need to use two or three mobile numbers on one phone.
Conclusion
Despite these limitations, the Solana Saga offers a promising start for a much-needed development in the industry. While it may not beat the iPhone or Android anytime soon, it provides a specific Web3 user experience that benefits native Solana users. Furthermore, Apple’s recent approval of Uniswap, Axie Infinity, and in-app sales on StepN indicates that the Saga is influencing some of the macro trends in the industry.