Cryptocurrency enthusiasts, rejoice! Solana is rebranding the Osom OV1 phone to provide a better crypto experience for its users. Built by a team of former designers and engineers from Essential, the device got a new design, name and purpose as of today. Early this afternoon, Solana announced its very own mobile phone – the Saga.

In collaboration with Osom, the starter price is at $1,000 and customers can already preorder it. However, the blockchain requires a $100 deposit, and clients will have to wait until Q1 of 2023 to actually get the phone. 

The device has some pretty impressive features that are sure to attract everyone, and not just crypto lovers. It’s got a 6.67 inch 120Hz OLED display, 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The Saga will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chip – Qualcomm’s newest release. The device will also feature a 50MP primary camera and a 12MP ultra-wide camera.

But even though its hardware is awe-inspiring, it’s the Saga’s purpose that stands out. That is because Solana’s intention with the release is to push the crypto world into its goal to go mobile, according to the blockchain’s CEO Anatoly Yakovenko. 

Although anyone can get it, people who are rooted in the universe of NFTs, wallets and Web3 will make much better use of the device. The main reason for that is that the Saga provides support for decentralized applications that lean on the Solana blockchain. Magic Eden – an NFT marketplace – along with Solana’s own wallet maker and the crypto exchange company Orca are also backing the new device and the new software efforts from Solana. 

In a statement, Osom has said that the Saga is now the company’s main focus. Jason Keats, Osom’s founder and CEO, said the company’s excited about the partnership with Solana in creating the device. He’s also mentioned how much the world needs hardware companies to support the future in the shape of Web3. According to Keats, building a new ecosystem that’s not burdened by the ones in the past is something to look forward to.

Other than the Saga, Solana has made other exciting announcements today. The company also presented an open dApp Store called Solana Mobile Stack. With it, Solana is envisioning a rapid increase of crypto apps, digital goods and digital services made possible through its new resource. 

Solana says developers will be able to access the Saga much earlier. When asked how the company’s new device and resources will be able to provide a richer experience than crypto and NFT wallets from other big tech companies, Yakovenko said Solana is targeting the most hardcore trader. 

Osom’s new proposal is a massive change from its Essential Phone 2, which was a relatively common, privacy-focused device. The new enterprise also goes against Osom’s statement last March, saying that the OV1 would cost much less than $1,000.

For now, the real test will be for both companies to deliver the Saga in Q1 of 2023. Not only that, but will the new Solana device have an actual audience outside its most excited enthusiasts? More experienced phone makers have tried and failed to go down the crypto-centered mobile path.

If you like the Saga but are new to the crypto world, we can help. Follow the link below for our 101 guide on the crypto world.