Samsung’s Tizen-powered flagship may not be vaporware after all. The first Tizen phone may launch as soon as nuary, according to a leak from an online retailer. SamMobile reports that the phone is called the Samsung Z1, it’s expected to launch in India first.

The Z1’s specifications are decidedly low-end: a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, 768MB of RAM, 4GB of onboard storage, a 3-megapixel front-facing camera with flash, a 1500mAh battery pack. It will also come equipped with a 4-inch GA TFT display, which is a far cry from the vibrant highly saturated AMOD displays Samsung normally utilizes for both its mid-range high-end smartphones.

The Z1 will feature Tizen OS utilize non- services like Nokia’s HERE maps. Indian customers who purchase the device through carriers like Reliance Aircel will receive 500MB of free 3G data for the first six months. 

y this matters: ‘ve heard a lot about Tizen throughout this year, though we haven’t actually seen any Tizen hsets hit the market. The Samsung Z, a more powerful mid-range device than the Z1, was supposed to go on sale in Russia earlier this year, though it’s constantly being delayed. 

It looks like Samsung shifted direction with its open-source operating system is going after Android One’s territories instead. w-end devices are a smart move for the company that reins supreme in Android device marketshare, especially given the slower sales of its high-end devices through the year. th so many manufacturers throwing their own low-end devices into the emerging-market pit, Samsung figured it might as well join the crowd.