Solana's Saga Smartphone Struggles Despite Rave Reviews

Solana Labs faces challenges as Saga smartphone sales disappoint despite positive feedback.

1. Unveiling Saga: Solana Labs launched the Android smartphone, Saga, in 2023, designed for web3 users. It promised a unique app store to circumvent restrictive cryptocurrency policies of Google and Apple.
2. Sales Underperformance: Host Laura Shin revealed in an interview with Solana Labs co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko that Saga's sales were "underwhelming," with only 2,500 phones sold.
3. Positive Feedback Amid Low Sales: Despite the sales setback, Yakovenko emphasized positive feedback, particularly from Solana enthusiasts. He mentioned collaboration with a third party and expressed confidence in the device's quality.
   Yakovenko's Response: "We got really good reviews from the people that got it. The Solana super fans, they loved it."
4. Sales Targets and Developer Interest: Yakovenko acknowledged the need for 25,000 to 50,000 sales to attract developers. However, he hinted at changing dynamics since mid-2022, with progressive web apps reducing the necessity for dedicated devices and apps.
5. Uncertain Future for Solana Devices: Regarding future mobile devices, Yakovenko hinted at reconsideration, stating the company would evaluate whether there's a demand for a more affordable version, possibly as a secondary device.
   Yakovenko's Statement: "...we haven’t seen a ton of signal [as to] whether that’s a compelling enough kind of thing to sell 50,000 units of."
6. Addressing Alleged Vulnerability: Yakovenko addressed the alleged vulnerability reported by CertiK in November, denying any vulnerability. He clarified that the security firm rooted the phone to display a hacked Bitcoin wallet, emphasizing that Solana's stack doesn't support Bitcoin.

Solana Labs faces uncertainty as Saga smartphone sales fall short of expectations. Yakovenko's responses hint at potential shifts in focus and product strategy, raising questions about the future of Solana's mobile devices.