Samsung is developing its first smartphone with Tizen 3.0

By Christian de Looper January 24, 2017

samsung sm z250f news tizen — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Samsung’s self-built Tizen operating system is used on most of the company’s wearables as well as some of its smartphones — and it may ultimately replace Android for Samsung, which likely wants to free itself from Google’s grasp. Well, it looks like Samsung is developing yet another Tizen-powered phone — but this one will be the first device running Tizen 3.0.

According to reports, the phone internally goes by the name “Pride,” and it has the model number SM-Z250F. It will be launched in India, and reports suggest it might be launched in other parts of Asia, too — though it probably won’t make it to the U.S.

The phone will reportedly be an entry-level device, but that doesn’t mean that Samsung won’t launch more Tizen-based phones in the future.

Not much is known about the phone’s specs just yet, however some reports indicate that the device may include Samsung’s in-development digital assistant Bixby. Bixby is also rumored to be the digital assistant for Samsung’s upcoming flagship, the Galaxy S8, which will likely run Android — so it will be interesting to see how the assistant performs on a different operating system, and in particular if its functionality is any better on Tizen considering Samsung can more deeply integrate the assistant.

In any case, we’ll likely hear more about SM-Z250F and Bixby over the next few months. Samsung recently acquired artificial intelligence startup Viv Labs, which is largely the brains behind the assistant, according to rumors. Viv Labs was also created by some members of the team that created Siri, Apple’s digital assistant. It will be interesting to see if other Tizen-based smartphones from the company also come with Bixby — and we’re betting that indeed they will.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Christian de Looper

Contributor

Christian’s interest in technology began as a child in Australia, when he stumbled upon a computer at a garage sale that he…

Mobile

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the most durable foldable phone ever

The Samsung Galazy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3.

The results are in. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the strongest foldable phone based on testing by Allstate Protection Plans. The durability testing process included folding and unfolding the phone repeatedly with the Foldbot, open and closed facedown drop tests, and a dunk test. Results for the fold test are still pending, as is testing for the Z Flip 3, but Allstate believes the phones should have no problem lasting up to 200,000 folds.

On the open drop test, the Z Fold 3 was dropped six feet onto a sidewalk and had minor corner scuffing and minimal pixel damage. This is the first smartphone that hasn't shattered since Allstate begin breakability testing in 2013. The phone also sustained no damage after a 30-minute dunk in five feet of water. Allstate's Dropbot did manage to take down the Z Fold 3 during the closed facedown drop test. The phone was deemed unusable when the exterior screen shattered on the first test.

Android

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3 might turn out to be sales hits

Samsung Galaxy folding phones.

Samsung has yet to release the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 to the public, but reports from Korea indicate that, based on pre-orders, they may be more of a hit than the company's more mainstream models. Both foldables are said to be on the path to reaching 800,000 units, according to a report from the Korea Herald. Samsung also confirms that in just 10 days, the pre-orders have already surpassed total global Samsung foldable sales for all of 2021. It's the strongest pre-order for Samsung foldables ever.

As of Sunday, August 22, both foldables are currently reported to have a combined 450,000 pre-orders. Even accounting for the combination of numbers, this is a huge leap from the Galaxy Z Fold 2, which landed at 80,000 total. That pre-order number is reportedly twice that of the Galaxy S21 and 1.5 times more than the Galaxy Note 20. The current understanding is that they could reach 600, 000 total pre-orders, with the number rising to 800,000 with the inclusion of unlocked models. If the trends continue with post-release sales, then the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and Flip could effectively outperform the Galaxy Note line in total sales, which would prove Samsung's decision to refocus on its foldables this year as a solid choice.

Mobile

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 2: Upgrade time?

Galaxy z fold 3 5g in phantom black sitting on desk.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the third generation of Samsung's flagship foldable smartphones, and it continues to pioneer the form, without real rivals. Each iteration of the Z Fold refines the hardware for greater durability, performance, battery life, and comfort.

Once again, with the Galaxy Z Fold 3, the company has revised the hinge, screen tech, and chassis. With the Z Fold 3, foldable phones are a product people can take seriously, representing the advance of a new market that Samsung has single-handedly created, featuring new waterproofing, S Pen support, and a lighter, slimmer case. We have a look at design, performance, batteries, cameras, software, and price to see how far this new model has come in comparison with last year's Galaxy Z Fold 2.
Specs