One of the key reasons behind the development of Seeker is Solana’s renewed focus on integrating crypto more deeply into mobile devices.
Solana Mobile, a subsidiary of Solana Labs, has announced that its second crypto-focused smartphone, named ‘Seeker’, will launch in 2025.
The announcement was made at the Token 2049 conference, with Solana promising significant upgrades over its first device, the Saga.
Major Hardware and Software Enhancements
According to Emmet Hollyer, the head of Solana’s phone project, Seeker will come with multiple hardware improvements, making it more advanced than the Saga. The new phone will feature a brighter display, a more powerful battery, and an additional camera sensor, offering better photography. The design is also lighter and smaller, providing a more convenient experience for users who want to use Seeker as a secondary device.
On the software side, Seeker will improve the crypto experience by integrating a custom-built crypto wallet with its secure Seed Vault. This allows users to manage their crypto assets more smoothly than on the previous model, making Seeker a more efficient tool for crypto transactions.
Boosting Crypto on Mobile
One of the key reasons behind the development of Seeker is Solana’s renewed focus on integrating crypto more deeply into mobile devices. The Saga, launched in 2023, initially faced slow sales but saw a dramatic turnaround as crypto traders realized they could benefit from token airdrops tied to the device. This success encouraged Solana to push forward with a second phone, designed to cater to the growing crypto community.
Seeker will continue to support Solana’s unique decentralized app (dapp) store, which allows developers to release apps directly to users without the fees associated with Apple’s App Store or Google Play. Hollyer said that the new dapp store would offer improved discoverability, making it easier for users to find and use crypto apps. With over 140,000 pre-orders already secured, the Seeker is expected to attract even more developers and builders than its predecessor.
Increased Interest from Developers
Since the announcement of Seeker, the response from developers has been overwhelming. Hollyer mentioned that many more teams are eager to build crypto apps for the new phone compared to the limited number that developed for Saga.
This surge in interest is partly due to the larger user base expected for Seeker and the potential for developers to issue token rewards and other incentives to phone owners.
A New Era for Crypto Phones
The Seeker is positioned to bring new capabilities to crypto users. Solana Mobile has collaborated with decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePIN) like Helium to allow Seeker to share sensor data, such as GPS and cellular data. While this raises some privacy concerns, the data could be valuable for teams looking to optimize their decentralized networks.
Each Seeker device will also come with a Genesis NFT, tied to the owner’s wallet, unlocking special rewards and exclusive experiences. Hollyer expects the phone to be a significant draw for crypto enthusiasts, offering both financial incentives and unique features that go beyond what’s available in traditional smartphones.
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