Competitors amongst Android producers is not what it was, which is why it is thrilling any time a brand new firm throws its hat within the ring. We’ve not heard a lot in regards to the Solana Saga since OSOM introduced its crypto partnership earlier this summer season. Immediately, the corporate held its first Q&A with CEO Jason Keats in regards to the upcoming machine, providing a deep dive into what you possibly can count on from the software program expertise, what bands are supported, and its plans for future {hardware}.

Unsurprisingly, many of the dialog targeted on the Solana Saga and the corporate’s transfer to crypto. Though it is primarily based on the unique plans for the OSOM OV1, it isn’t the very same smartphone we first noticed final December. Referencing the change to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC mid-development, Keats says the transition went nicely, largely because of its partnership with Qualcomm.

Not like Nothing, OSOM is focusing on North American and European launches alike for the Solana Saga. Sadly, the machine is lacking the bands crucial for Dish’s new 5G community — my condolences for those who had been planning on swapping networks as soon as it is reside in your metropolis — however help for T-Cellular and its upcoming satellite tv for pc community with SpaceX, is confirmed. OSOM plans to launch a full set of appropriate bands nearer to launch, although the excluded bands appear to line up with the record we printed in June.

So far as the digital camera is anxious, you should not count on Pixel-quality proper out of the gate. Nonetheless, Keats feels his workforce has already bested Apple’s coloration copy months out from launch and hopes consumers can be impressed with what a small workforce like OSOM has managed to perform. That does not essentially sound as spectacular as one may hope, however we’ll should see some real-world examples earlier than passing any judgment.

It is arduous to separate the bottom software program expertise from what many individuals concern when listening to a couple of crypto-based cellphone, however right here we go. Keats says the expertise is predicated on vanilla Android with some small touches, which appears like an analogous method to what we have seen from Nothing earlier this 12 months. That stated, he straight compares the software program to Google’s Pixel enhancements, deemphasizing related approaches from Nothing or OnePlus.

Though Keats guarantees a minimal of 4 years of software program help for the Solana Saga, he was unwilling to specify what number of main Android updates the machine would obtain by its lifetime. Likewise, count on month-to-month updates to be slower than Important’s lightning-quick method. In accordance with Keats, the certification course of is extra complicated than it was through the Important years, however he is speaking with Google on easy methods to streamline getting these patches to customers.

Addressing the elephant within the room, OSOM desires to guarantee crypto-skeptics that the machine will be purchased and used with out ever coping with Solana as a foreign money or any of the crypto-based options on the cellphone. Keats assured customers that these instruments aren’t required, evaluating them to the accessibility menu in settings. For any potential consumers fearful in regards to the ongoing cryptocurrency crash, Keats clarified that Solana costs have had “little if any impact on OSOM.”

Regardless of the pivot to crypto, the corporate hasn’t left its fanatic roots behind. OSOM will promote spare elements by its web site, and you’ll restore the cellphone with none proprietary instruments. The corporate can also be inquisitive about beginning a customized ROM group for the Saga, although nothing is confirmed simply but.

As for the way forward for OSOM, there’s nothing particular to announce right now. Nonetheless, Keats did tease some areas he is inquisitive about, together with wearables and the automotive area. Neither appeared like an announcement as a lot as a few arenas the corporate might enter if the Saga is successful, although he did elaborate on automobiles. Regardless of engaged on the unique model of CarPlay, Keats has by no means been glad with how automobiles and smartphones work together with one another, although fixing this might necessitate an automotive companion.

Maybe most fascinating for future — and previous — units was Mission GEM. That cellphone, almost accomplished beneath Important, was initially meant to proceed growth beneath OSOM, however sadly, it simply did not pan out. Even so, Keats is inquisitive about adopting distinctive kind components down the street.

Regardless of this Q&A, loads of questions stay relating to the way forward for OSOM and whether or not the Saga will arrive as a real competitor to different fanatic smartphones from Nothing and OnePlus. The plan for a Q1 launch continues to be on monitor, so count on to listen to way more in regards to the machine all through the remainder of the 12 months. The cellphone is presently up for pre-order at Solana Cellular’s web site, with no plans for promoting by further retailers like Greatest Purchase or Amazon. When you had been hoping to order by your provider, you are out of luck — Keats confirmed the corporate is not partnering with carriers.