Solana Labs co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko commented on the poor sales of the company’s smartphone, the Saga, in an interview with Unchained Crypto on December 5.
Despite unveiling an Android device in June 2022 and launching in 2023 with the promise of a web3-centric experience, the Saga only sold 2,500 units.
Yakovenko acknowledged lower-than-expected sales, but highlighted positive user feedback, emphasizing the quality of the device and positive reviews from Solana enthusiasts. However, he noted that the landscape is changing as progressive web apps reduce the need for dedicated devices after mid-2022.
Changing environment and uncertain future
Yakovenko pointed out that the proliferation of progressive web apps has reduced the demand for dedicated mobile devices.
While he acknowledged the need for a Solana device in the future, he expressed uncertainty about the device’s nature and potential market appeal. He suggested the possibility of cheaper versions, such as smart wallets, aimed at users looking for assistive devices, but emphasized the lack of clear signals indicating widespread demand.
Addressing Suspected Vulnerabilities
Responding to the vulnerability reported in Saga by security firm CertiK, Yakovenko refuted these claims. He said the security company rooted the phone and flagged the hacked Bitcoin wallet. This was a scenario I thought was irrelevant since the Solana stack does not support Bitcoin.
Despite the challenges and low sales, the co-founders remained optimistic about refining Solana’s approach to mobile devices to meet evolving market needs.
Saga Impact Assessment and Outlook
Solana’s Saga smartphone has received positive reviews but is facing challenges in the market, with sales falling short of expectations.
The shift toward progressive web apps led Solana Labs to reevaluate the need for dedicated devices.
As Solana considers future mobile products, it focuses on aligning product features with market demands and exploring more affordable, niche-oriented devices that can serve evolving user preferences.