Samsung released its new Samsung Z3 smartphone in India on Wednesday—the second phone to run on the company’s Tizen operating system, The Wall Street Journal reports.
The first was the Samsung Z1, a device aimed at new phone users that was released in India at the start of 2015. With a price tag under $100, the smartphone has notched up sales of over 1 million. The company says that the Z3 provides an “upgraded user experience.” With its 5-inch HD resolution display and 8-megapixel camera, the $130 phone is not that different from Samsung’s midrange devices in more developed markets.
Samsung relies on Android to power most of its smartphones, but having its own operating system would give the company more control over which software and services can be used on its devices. However, it has run into difficulties convincing developers to retool their applications to be compatible with the Tizen operating system because of its insignificant market share.
Samsung’s Gear 2 smartwatch, which was revealed in September, and all of its televisions will soon be powered by Tizen as well. The company leads in TV sales, owning a third of the global market.
