Key highlights:
- The original Saga was a niche but pricey crypto phone bought almost exclusively by hardcore Solana fans until one lucky airdrop made it a must-have overnight.
- In response to the success of the first Saga, the developers are now planning to launch a new model called “Chapter 2” with all the same crypto features but at a much more affordable $450 price tag.
Late last year, crypto startup Solana Mobile released the Saga, a smartphone with several features tailored for cryptocurrency enthusiasts. The Saga has built in crypto wallet capabilities and exclusive access to token airdrops.
Sales of the high-end device initially lagged, but demand surged after the value of the BONK token airdrop skyrocketed. Now, it appears a cheaper sequel to the phone is in the works, and it has the ambitious goal of bringing Solana and crypto to the masses.
What was the deal with the Original Saga?
When it launched in early 2023, the Saga packed notable cryptocurrency credentials but came with a steep $999 price tag. Features included secure wallet storage, a dedicated “dApp browser,” and special NFTs granted to owners.
The dApp browser also simplifies access to the best Solana NFT marketplaces and other decentralized apps built on the Solana blockchains. Sales failed to take off, as the phone’s steep price made it appeal almost exclusively to crypto power users.
That changed overnight in December of 2023, when Solana-based meme coin Bonk saw a massive spike in value. Since purchasers of the Saga were eligible for a Bonk airdrop, buyers rushed in to purchase the phone, which completely sold out within a week. In total, 20,000 Saga phones were made.
Enter chapter 2: A cheaper Saga sequel
Taking note the sudden surge in demand for the first Saga, Solana Mobile is ready to capitalize with a successor dubbed “Chapter 2.” While the device’s exact specs remain vague, the new phone promises the same core crypto features at a much lower $450 starting price. Preorders are now live on the Solana Mobile website.
Clearly, the developers want the phone to see broader adoption compared to the niche appeal of the first iteration of the Saga. Saga’s second chapter is targeting an early 2025 launch date.
Market signals point to bright prospects
Based on signals from the cryptocurrency community, a promising future may await both Solana Mobile and Saga’s Chapter 2. For one, data from CoinCodex paints an upbeat picture of sentiment and a bullish Solana price prediction over the long term. There’s also chatter within Solana’s community Twitter that continued success building mobile-first dApps could lift both the platform and its devices.
Source: https://coincodex.com/article/36748/solana-teases-second-version-of-the-crypto-friendly-saga-phone/