Samsung is to launch its first smartphone powered by the Tizen operating system in Russia this summer.
Called the ‘Samsung Z’, the move marks the first time Samsung has ditched Google’s Android operating system in favour of its own platform.
The South Korean firm has been working with chipmaker Intel to develop Tizen as an alternative operating system. Samsung is currently the world’s best-selling Android device manufacturer.
However, rivals such as HTC, Sony, LG and Huawei also use the operating system to power some of their devices. The move can be seen as a way for Samsung the branch out and become less dependent on Google while differentiating itself from its rivals.
The Samsung Z will go on sale in Russia in the July-to-September quarter for an undisclosed price.
Previously, Samsung used Tizen to power the newest versions of its Gear smartwatches.
The company will show off the phone at the Tizen Developer Conference, being held this week in San Francisco.
As the competition in the smartphone sector increases, and growth rates slow, Samsung has been looking at ways to maintain its lead over rivals.
Samsung is now encouraging more developers to join the Tizen, with the store Store providing a special promotional program to all developers for one year.
Read the official announcement here
