Wednesday W.O.W - Solana Sega Smartphone 🌐🔗📱
[5 min read] Your mid-week bite sized treat on emerging tech on our journey to the Metaverse. Learn why the Solana Saga Smartphone is a proof-of-concept decentralised, user-centric mobile ecosystem.
A nibble of knowledge in your inbox every Wednesday with a simple format:
🇼 What the technology is.
🇴 Objective(s) - what is it trying to achieve, with some examples
🇼 Why it is important.
This is week 56 of the 520 weeks of writing I have committed to, a decade of documenting our physical and digital lives converge.
🇼 What is the Solana Sega Smartphone?
In April 2023, Solana entered the scene with its innovative Web3 smartphone, the Saga. Crafted by Solana Labs, presents itself as a premium Android flagship (initially $1000 USD) with an elegant design and impressive specifications. While it may lack the flashiness of some competitors, its 6.67" 1080p AMOLED screen and 120Hz display provide an good visual experience.
Underneath the surface, the Saga boasts a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen1 processor and 12GB RAM, ensuring smooth performance for both daily use and resource-intensive applications. However, it's worth noting that it doesn't feature the latest Gen2 chip, potentially affecting its future resilience with evolving apps.
The device's dual-camera setup captures detailed and vibrant photos, but comparisons with competitors reveal nuances in image sharpness and color balance. Despite this, the Saga offers a commendable 512GB internal storage, exceeding the industry standard.
Web3 integration is a pivotal feature of the Saga, anchored by the Seed Vault—a native custody solution securing wallet seed phrases within the device. Alongside a native store for decentralised apps (dapps), the Saga attempts to carve its niche in the growing Web3 landscape.
However, the journey into Web3 is not without its challenges. Decrypt's review notes occasional hitches, connectivity issues with certain dapps, and an overall feeling of beta-testing. For early adopters, the Saga provides a glimpse into the potential of mobile Web3 but acknowledges it's a work in progress.
🇴 What are the Objectives?
This smartphone is more than just a device; it encapsulates Solana Labs' ambitious foray into cultivating a decentralised mobile ecosystem. The device's integration of blockchain technology aims to enhance the experience for cryptocurrency users and developers, yet its objectives are not without scrutiny.
A notable aspect of the Saga's objectives is its seamless onboarding process, allowing users to connect with Web3 applications through Solana's mobile wallet adapter (MWA) technology. The native store for decentralised apps plays a pivotal role, with examples like the Jupiter swap aggregator dapp and the Tiexo marketplace showcasing the device's potential.
Solana Labs' broader vision challenges the dominance of tech giants, aiming to foster a more inclusive and accessible mobile ecosystem. Despite commendable intentions, the Saga is criticised for occasional hitches in connectivity and a limited dapp store, questioning its readiness for mainstream adoption.
It’s important to understand that Solana itself is an extremely centralised blockchain, which has had issues in the past with outages and even having a killswitch in case of emergency - the opposite of decentralised. It’s also transpired that the Solana foundation is subsidising fees to keep them cheap, while issuing more tokens (inflationary tokenomics). Solana will likely still do well in the long term, but these are risks to consider.
🇼 Why is this smartphone a sign of something important in the intersection between blockchain and consumer electronics?
The Solana Saga Smartphone is the first significant player in the intersection between blockchain and consumer electronics, signalling a shift towards a more decentralised and user-centric approach. Despite Youtuber Marques Brownlee's label of it as the "failure of 2023," (ouch) the surge in demand and its unique integration of blockchain technology tell a more complex story.
The Saga's role as a catalyst for change is evident in its sell-out status and the surge in the Bonk token's value. Yet, critiques about occasional hitches and connectivity issues, as highlighted by prominent voices like Brownlee, temper the device's initial success.
Solana Labs' commitment to a decentralised mobile ecosystem, embodied by the Saga, is a commendable endeavour. However, the device's initial pricing challenges and subsequent surge in resale prices raise questions about its accessibility and affordability for a broader audience.
To wrap up, the Solana Saga Smartphone is a notable step towards a decentralised, user-centric mobile ecosystem. Its successes and challenges contribute to a narrative of innovation and exploration in the tech landscape. Whether viewed as a triumph or a work in progress, the Saga undeniably marks a significant chapter in the ongoing saga of technological evolution.
Bonus!
Here is a great video that provides a balanced take
That’s all for this week! If you have any organisations in mind that could benefit from learning about emerging technology, be sure to reach out. Educational workshops are one of many consulting services I offer.