January 14, 2015 10:54 AM EST
S amsung has launched its first smartphone powered by its Tizen operating system, a long-delayed departure from the Google-owned Android software that typically powers the company’s mobile devices.
The Samsung Z1 , released Wednesday, runs on Tizen 2.3 and is available only in India. The Z1 is a low-end device, with a 4-inch screen, 4GB of storage and a 3.1 megapixel camera for about $92.
PHOTOS: The Rise of Mobile Phones from 1916 to Today 1916 A German field telephone station in the Aisne department of northern France during World War I.Paul Thompson—FPG/Getty Images 1970
French singer and actor Johnny Hallyday in a scene from the film 'Point de Chute' (aka 'Falling Point').Keystone/Holton/Getty Images 1980
An early mobile phone during the Iranian Embassy siege at Princes Gate in South Kensington, London.Kypros/Getty Images 1983
Bob Maxwell, general manager of Englewood-based Mobile Telephone of Colorado, places a call on an FCC-approved radio frequency while driving to work.Lyn Alweis—Denver Post/Getty Images 1986
THE A-TEAM "The Say U.N.C.L.E. Affair" Episode 5. (l-r) Eddie Velez as Frankie Santana, Robert Vaughn as General Hunt Stockwell, George Peppard as John 'Hannibal' Smith.Bill Dow—NBC/Getty Images 1992
Democratic presidential nominee Bill Clinton talks on a cell phone while meeting with Boston Mayor Ray Flynn in a New York hotel on Sept. 25.Mark Lennihan—AP 1993
Whoopi Goldberg during ShoWest in Las Vegas.Jeff Kravitz—FilmMagic/Getty Images 1997
A farmer with his family sitting on a Bullock Cart and talking on a mobile Phone, in Delhi.India Today Group/Getty Images 2001
A woman watches smoke pour out of the World Trade Center Towers in New York on September 11.Nicholas Goldberg—Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images 2011
A rebel militiaman speaks on his mobile phone after capturing territory from government troops on March 25 in Ben Jawat, Libya. John Moore—Getty Images 2011
A youth films the aftermath of tear gas police fired at protestors in Muhammed Mahmoud Street near Tahrir Square on November 23 in Cairo.Peter Macdiarmid—Getty Images 2012
Audience members take pictures of President Barack Obama at Florida Atlantic University on April 10 in Boca Raton, Florida. Marc Serota—Getty Images 2014
A teenager takes a selfie in front of Queen Elizabeth II during a walk around St. Georges Market in Belfast. The Queen has apparently voiced her dismay that when she carries out engagements she is greeted by a sea of mobile phones.Peter Macdiarmid—PA Wire/Press Association Images/AP While Tizen feels similar to Android, the Z1 launch is a major step in Samsung’s attempt to lessen its dependence on the Google-controlled software as both companies look to connect devices beyond smartphones. Samsung previously promised Tizen-powered smartphones in early 2013 and then again last year , but neither plan panned out.
Before the Z1, Samsung’s only device running Tizen was its Gear S smartwatch and some of its new smart TVs, which the company announced at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this month.
The 15 Most Bizarre Moments From the Consumer Electronics Show A brand ambassador tests Samsung's Gear VR headset at the Samsung Galaxy booth on Jan. 6, 2015. Jae C. Hong—AP Frank Lee, Brand Marketing for LG Electronics MobileComm USA, demonstrates the enhanced selfie feature on the new LG G Flex 2 mobile phone on Jan. 5, 2015. Michael Nelson—EPA Attendees lay on Serta mattresses at the Serta stand on Jan. 6, 2015. Robyn Beck—AFP/Getty Images Joe Clayton, CEO of Dish, arrives on stage banging a bass drum followed by company mascots during the Dish news conference on Jan. 5, 2015. Rick Wilking—Reuters A transparent TRW model car is seen on Jan. 6, 2015. Yang Lei—Xinhua Press/Corbis At the 'Unveiled-event' a young woman has a look at salad on Jan. 4, 2015. Britta Pedersen—dpa/Corbis The drone 'Nano' from 'Zano' on Jan. 8, 2015. Britta Pedersen—dpa/Corbis Attendees interact with wity screens that run on Intel's Realsense technology on Jan. 6, 2015. Michael Nelson—EPA An attendee wears Altspace Virtual Reality head ware on Jan. 6, 2014. Michael Nelson—EPA Sony Electronics President and COO Mike Fasulo displays the Sony 4K Action Cam at a press event on Jan. 5, 2015. David Becker—Getty Images Consumer Electronics Association President and CEO Gary Shapiro exits a Mercedes-Benz F 015 autonomous driving automobile after it was unveiled at a Mercedes-Benz press event on Jan. 5, 2015. David Becker—Getty Images A display shows Panasonic's virtual make-up mirror at a Panasonic news conference on Jan. 5 , 2015. Steve Marcus—Reuters Selfie sticks of the company 'Noosy' displayed on Jan. 8, 2015. Britta Pedersen—EPA World freediving champion Stig Severinsen holds his breathe underwater for a total of 5 minutes, 35 secs to demonstrate the functionality and accuracy of the Masimo SET pulse oximetry device on Jan. 8, 2015. Robyn Beck—AFP/Getty Images Workers install an advertisement for a new S'UHD TV from Samsung Electronics on the side of the Las Vegas Convention Center on Jan. 4, 2015. Steve Marcus—Reuters Read next: This Is the Best Android Phone For Most People
More Must-Reads from TIME Why Trump’s Message Worked on Latino Men What Trump’s Win Could Mean for Housing The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024 Sleep Doctors Share the 1 Tip That’s Changed Their Lives Column: Let’s Bring Back Romance What It’s Like to Have Long COVID As a Kid FX’s Say Nothing Is the Must-Watch Political Thriller of 2024 Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision