The upcoming Samsung Z1 smartphone running Tizen OS seems ready for retail, and a full list of specifications is now available.
Samsung has been trying to launch a Tizen-powered smartphone for quite some time now to lessen its reliance on Google's Android mobile operating system, but such a handset never actually made it to market.
After several delays, it now seems that Samsung has quietly unveiled its much-rumored Z1 Tizen smartphone at a low-key launch event in India, and a local retailer has revealed the phone's full specifications (via SamMobile).
The Samsung Z1 will be the first smartphone to run the company's Tizen OS, which is already available on several Gear smartwatches. The first Tizen-powered smartphone was initially expected to come as a high-end offering, although subsequent rumors claimed that it would instead target the mid-range segment of the market.
If the newly-leaked specifications turn out to be accurate, the Samsung Z1 is in fact an entry-level device with modest specs and features. More specifically, the handset reportedly sports a 4-inch display with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels and packs a 1.2GHz dual-core processor under the hood, apparently supported by 768MB of RAM.
Other purported specs of the Samsung Z1 smartphone include 4GB of internal storage capacity, microSD support for additional memory, a 3-megapixel rear camera, and a VGA front shooter. Connectivity options include 3G, Wi-Fi b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, A-GPS, and FM Radio. The handset reportedly features dual-SIM support, a 1,500 mAh battery, while on the software side it runs Tizen OS v2.3 out of the box. The OS apparently borrows some features from the Android-powered Galaxy lineup, such as Ultra Power Saving Mode, offline maps (HERE Maps), offline web, Auto Selfie mode, low-light photography, and likely others.
Samsung has reportedly teamed up with Indian retailers Aircel and Reliance to offer 500MB of free 3G data for six months when purchasing the Tizen-powered Z1 smartphone.
It remains to be seen just when the Samsung Z1 will actually hit the market and at what price point. Rumors suggest a release in India on Jan. 18, 2015, but Samsung has yet to offer details in this regards. We'll keep you up to date as soon as more information becomes available, so stay tuned.
