Samsung launches the Z3, a $130 Tizen-based smartphone designed with India in mind

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Samsung has launched yet another device running the Linux-based Tizen operating system — the Samsung Z3 smartphone.

The so-called “Android-replacement” operating system has been a core feature of Samsung’s smartwatches and some cameras. It first showed up on a smartphone in the form of the Samsung Z1 earlier this year, a $92 India-only device that went on to shift more than one million units.

The Samsung Z3 weighs in at 8490 rupees, or $130, and again will be available in India only this month in Gold, Silver, and black. Tizen has always been pitched as a “lighter” operating system, which makes it ideal for lower-end smartphones and wearables such as smartwatches. But with a heftier price-tag this time around, the Z3 comes with better specs.

Rather than the 800×480 4.0″ LCD screen of the Z1, the latest incarnation sports a 5-inch HD Super AMOLED display. It also has a more powerful processor, double the on-board storage, slightly more RAM, a better camera, and a much bigger battery.

Above: Samsung Tizen Z3

Image Credit: Samsung

Designed for India

It’s clear that Samsung has at least some ambitions for Tizen, but it’s not ready for prime-time in most smartphone markets where Android or iOS rule the roost.

Indeed, the lack of a serious app ecosystem will always count against it, though Tizen does come with some of the big-name apps available, while Samsung says the Z3 has been “designed specifically for the Indian market” with the “My Galaxy” app delivering various localized services, deals, and content. There’s also an exclusive tie-up with Mix Radio, the music-streaming service acquired from Microsoft by Line last year.

“As a pioneer of Tizen platform, we have continuously introduced Tizen-based mobile devices, including Samsung Z1 and Samsung Gear S2, in our commitment to develop the Tizen ecosystem,” said JK Shin, CEO and head of IT & mobile business at Samsung. “We developed the Samsung Z3 to provide the features that will help consumers capitalize on the growing Tizen ecosystem and make the most out of their personal mobile experience.”