Solana Unveils Preorder for Saga 2: Insights into the New Web3 Smartphone

Solana Mobile has announced the second version of its Web3 smartphone, the Saga Chapter2, now available for preorder at $450.

1/ Almost overnight, Solana Mobile’s Saga became the most rewarding experience on a phone, ever, and sold out.

You know that story. Now it’s time for the next part of the epic.https://t.co/nYR9apGGIT

Preorder #Chapter2 & spread the word to maximize your chance at rewards?? pic.twitter.com/tYZCBLWwHK

— Solana Mobile ? (@solanamobile) January 16, 2024

“Almost overnight, the [first] Saga became the most rewarding mobile experience ever and sold out. You know that story. Now it’s time for the next part of the epic,” the announcement stated.

Initial Details

According to Solana, the “Founder’s Window” preorder will be available for a limited time. After this period, a new application phase will begin at a higher price.

Shipments are scheduled for the first half of 2025.

Like its predecessor, Chapter2 is designed as a crypto smartphone tailored for the Solana ecosystem. The phone includes a built-in wallet app with enhanced security features and access to decentralized applications.

Each Saga device is linked to a “genesis token”—an NFT that created a channel for distributing rewards to its holders. The company hinted at similar functionality in the second version but did not specify how it would be implemented.

As part of its marketing campaign, Solana launched a referral program. Users earn points for each preorder made through their invitation, with rewards given to contest winners.

However, company representatives noted that the project would be postponed if interest is low.

Solana Mobile has also not disclosed the device’s hardware. Given its low price, Chapter2 is likely to have lower specifications than its predecessor.

Initially, in May 2023, the first Saga was sold for $999, but its price was reduced to $599 in August.

“Having 20,000 [first smartphones] Saga in the hands of the community is a significant milestone. We now have a community as large as some of the biggest NFT projects, offering developers fertile ground for developing and experimenting with mobile devices,” the company emphasized.

Community Reaction

The announcement of the new smartphone was warmly received by users. Many shared preorder screenshots on X.

siuuuu pic.twitter.com/lUbG6xR8N2

— Solyman Jami (@Jitokeze) January 16, 2024

One user mentioned purchasing the Web3 smartphone with funds received from airdrops of the first model.

Bought my saga with my saga using my saga airdrops. Only possible on @solanamobile pic.twitter.com/YbBRrXJ1rU

— jips (@jipsoujips) January 16, 2024

In a comment to ForkLog, Allbridge.io co-founder Andrey Veliky shared that he ordered the original Saga twice but never received the device due to customs issues.

“The initial reviews were extremely skeptical. The hardware Solana offered was mid-range, yet the phone was priced as a premium product. After the price reduction, the offer became more reasonable,” he added.

According to Veliky, the device interested him as a “souvenir” and a way to interact with the ecosystem:

“I didn’t expect miracles from the smartphone, nor did I expect any airdrops. It was like buying an exotic model of a hardware wallet.”

Veliky also noted that the case of distributing to device holders is beneficial for the community as a whole, helping to “filter out” uninterested users and airdrop hunters.

Targeted token distribution solves the issue of multi-accounts and ensures that the user will interact with the ecosystem, according to the Allbridge.io co-founder.

“A phone that not only pays for itself but continues to generate income is an amusing innovation. I approve of Solana’s path, moving away from the technological aspect [of mobile devices] to the social,” Veliky concluded.

Cyberdrop.ai CEO Sergey Nedashkovsky stated that today the optimal Web3 phone is the Pixel with the GraphenOS operating system.

“I support other approaches and look forward to when they become viable for everyday use,” he added.

Some community members expressed dissatisfaction with the “incomplete” announcement. A user under the pseudonym Kenshiro emphasized that Solana should have highlighted clear differences between the functionality of Chapter2 and the “genesis token” of the first phone.

There should be clear differences with the Genesis Token otherwise you’re diluting the people that bought with the premise of 20k Genesis Token supply with this momentum cash grab

— Kenshiro (@Kenshiro_NFT) January 16, 2024

“Complete disappointment. This is a pure cash grab aimed at obtaining liquid funds without disclosing information about the device. It benefits only influencers. What’s the point of this announcement? No details about the product, which, moreover, will be available in the first half of 2025,” complained another user.

The Saga Hype

In the first six months after launch, Saga sales were very slow. In early December 2023, Solana founder Anatoly Yakovenko admitted to the low interest in the smartphone. At that time, only 2,200 units out of 20,000 had been sold since the product’s launch.

However, after a series of major airdrops for device holders, a large number of users became interested in Solana’s device.

It all began with the Bonk (BONK) token—a guaranteed distribution of 30 million coins to Saga owners. Given the coin’s rapid growth, their value at one point fully covered the smartphone’s cost.

Other projects also announced distributions for Saga holders. Developers of the meme token Samoyedcoin (SAMO) introduced the Saga Tools, allowing teams to organize airdrops and configure additional features for the Web3 device.

Saga also offers a range of other benefits, including a month of free access to the Helium wireless network, bonuses in the Web3 game Honeyland, early access to the Genopets project, and NFTs.

Amid the hype, speculators began selling smartphones on eBay for over $2,000. Some devices were purchased for even higher prices—two phones sold for $5,000, and another was bought for $3,361.

By the end of December, the Solana team reported a shortage of Saga devices and was forced to cancel some accepted orders. According to the statement, due to high demand, the company sold out its entire reserve for the US and EU markets.

In November, CertiK analysts identified a critical vulnerability in the Web3 phone that allows for the theft of a user’s cryptocurrencies.