Samsung announces Z4 entry-level Tizen phone

Samsung's most popular smartphones may run Android, but the company also has handsets that run on other platforms. The new Z4 is a perfect example, being powered by the up and coming Tizen.

Tizen is nowhere near as popular as Android is, but it is growing in popularity. In the smartwatch space it has edged Android Wear in terms of market share, which is a good sign for Samsung. But, getting back to the Z4, what does the new device have to offer?

Being a Tizen device, what you can expect from the Z4 is a focus on entry-level features and benefits. So it has a 4.5-inch WVGA display, 1GB of RAM, Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0, USB 2.0, 5MP front and rear cameras (with f/2.2 lenses), a 2,050mAh battery, 4G LTE, VoLTE and VoWifi.

There are more powerful entry-level devices around, no doubt, but this is likely to be among the most affordable in that space and a gateway point into the world of Tizen development for folks in emerging markets, like India.

In terms of software, Samsung says that there are some features meant to make certain functionality more easily available (like touch and hardware combinations as shortcuts for quick access to the camera or flashlight), different power modes to maximize performance or battery life, special selfie mode for the front facing camera, and so on.

Samsung does not say exactly how much the Z4 will cost, but it will be available starting this month in a select number of markets.