Samsung’s Tizen-powered Z1: A rival for Android One, if not all of Android

The first real, shipping Tizen phone is basic — very basic

With the explosive success of Samsung’s Galaxy line of Android phones, the Korean giant’s symbiotic relationship with Google has been the subject of much speculation within the mobile industry. Just as Samsung is reliant on Google for the software behind its smartphones, Google’s services are viewed by many users through the lens of a Samsung smartphone. Reports of tensions between the two are often mentioned in the same breath as Tizen, the rival open-source OS which counts Samsung as one of its major backers. The company uses Tizen in its Gear smartwatches, and for more than a year we’ve been waiting on the first Tizen phones.

Now that device is here, in the form of the Samsung Z1, made available in India in recent weeks. This entry-level device isn’t going to turn any heads in the West — indeed, it’s not even available outside of India and Bangladesh, at present — and Tizen faces an uphill battle for developer mindshare. Nevertheless, what’s there isn’t horrible, and considering the Rs. 5,700 ($92) asking price, buyers in emerging markets could do worse.