Whenever we refer to Samsung Electronics (SSNLF, Financial) with respect to the mobile world, we speak of the high range smartphones it has launched in the market. But this time it will be a different story to tell. In fact, the South Korean electronics company is planning the launch of a new sub-$100 smartphone in the emerging markets, and the first region to act as its launchpad would be India. As India has several low and mid-range mobile buyers interested in spending less for better features, the company is expected to hold a press conference on December 10 announcing the release of this budget smartphone from its production center into the Indian marketplace.
Let’s quickly get into the facts being shared on this flagship brand of Samsung targeting the low and mid-range buyer’s segment in India to begin with. Here’s the overall story.
Sharing some key info points
Samsung had earlier planned to launch a budget smartphone dubbed Tizen Z1 in Russia in the third quarter of the year but due to production delays had to scrap the plan later. At that point, the tech savvy company shared that it was delaying the launch as it wanted to enhance the ecosystems behind Tizen.
Just to keep readers well informed, Tizen is Samsung and Intel’s (INTC, Financial) co-developed operating system, and is apparently a part of Samsung’s efforts to reduce its dependency on the U.S. tech giant, Google (GOOG, Financial) through launching mobiles running on its own key platform instead of Google’s Android platform.
Samsung has not learned to give up since its first Tizen phone, the Z, never made it to the stores. Until now, the company has been using the operating system to power the Gear smartwatch range. But now with Z1 ready to hit the store shelves, Samsung is out to change its fortunes in India with Tizen.
Phone features look impeccable
The phone dubbed as a basic budget smartphone would have a 4-inch, 480 x 800 pixel screen and a 1.2 GHz dual-core chip with 512 MB RAM to power the device. The chip maker would possibly be Spreadtrum (SPRD, Financial), a Chinese manufacturer that’s not entirely coincidentally backed by Intel, Samsung’s partner on the Tizen project.
Other specs could include a 3.2 megapixel camera, dual-SIM slots, and 3G connectivity. It will have internal storage power of 4 GB which could be expandable up to 32 GB via microSDcard support.
The phone would run on Tizen OS 2.3 version, and in addition to that will bring Samsung’s TouchWiz UI inspired features such as Private Mode and Ultra Power Saving Mode. Rumours are in the air that it might be pre-loaded with social networking apps like Facebook (FB, Financial), Twitter (TWTR, Financial), as well as bring some Google apps and services onboard.
A classic tool to compete with immediate rivals
India is gradually being inundated with low-cost smartphones. Just a few months back, Google signed up three local Indian manufacturers to produce and sell Android One devices. Also, the Chinese brand Xiaomi is heard to be releasing its well-regarded hardware in the country.
As competition is looming large in the low and mid-range smartphone segment, Samsung does not want to be left out of this rapidly growing market. Thus, it's launching the first Tizen- based Z1 in the Indian soil. As Google is still struggling with Android One in India, Samsung’s Tizen might create a storm in India and give intense competition to the fellow player. As the price of Z1 has also been kept highly attractive at around $100 a piece, time will only suggest whether the new OS under Samsung’s banner turns into an added advantage.
In fact, the Tizen OS will compete directly with Mozilla Firefox and Sail fish that have entered the Indian markets but failed to gain enough consumer attention. So, there is a lot to introspect after the final release on December 10.
Last word
After constantly focusing on high-end smartphones, Samsung is finally taking a break and looking at the low-budget phone’s category. After much speculation about its home-grown Tizen based smartphone, the Korean tech giant is finally giving it a thumbs-up by launching Z1 in India. Let’s stay tuned for more details on the Z1 smartphone after its release in the market.
