Back in January, Samsung launched its first Tizen-powered smartphone, the Z1. Despite rumors that the Z1 encountered a cold reception during its first month of availability, Samsung managed to sell 1 million units. Now, Samsung’s finally unveiled the next Tizen phone, the Z3. Here are all the specs and the availability for it.
Mid-range specs
As expected, the Samsung Z3 isn’t a high-spec phone like the Android-based Galaxy S6. It’s a mid-range phone with very reasonable specs fro its sub-$200 price tag. The Z3 sports a 5-inch HD Super AMOLED screen with a 720p resolution, and it’s powered by a 1.3GHz quad-core processor along with 1GB of RAM. Although it’s only got 8GB of internal storage built in, Samsung equipped the phone with a MicroSD card slot, which allows you to add an extra 128GB of space when you run out of room for all your pics and videos.
The 2,600mAh battery should keep the Z3 running for a full day or more, especially with that lower resolution screen. Additionally, Tizen’s Ultra Data Saving Mode is available to save your phone from dying in areas where the cell signal is poor. The mode essentially compresses data by as much as 40 percent, so the phone doesn’t lose power. Another Ultra Power Saving Mode takes even more extreme measures to save your battery. It more or less disables phone functions that are not absolutely essential.
Rounding out the specs are an 8-megapixel rear camera and 5-megapixel front camera, both of which sport an f/2.2 aperture. Unfortunately, there’s no support for 4G LTE, so the Z3 is somewhat limited in terms of connectivity. However, since it’s for the Indian smartphone market, the lack of 4G might be less critical.
Sub-$200 price for Indian market
Samsung offers the Z3 in a few color options, including black, gold, and silver. It costs just Rs. 8,490, which amounts to $130, and those in India who are interested in using a Tizen phone can get one at Indian retailer Snapdeal later in October. All the details are also on Samsung’s website. The Z3 is also said to be on route to Europe, but Samsung didn’t mention the possibility.
Next page: All the early rumors about the phone
These are early rumors about the Samsung Z3 before the launch
Back in January, Samsung launched its first Tizen-powered smartphone, the Z1. Despite rumors that the Z1 encountered a cold reception during its first month of availability, Samsung managed to sell 1 million units. With that number in mind, it looks like Samsung plans to release the Z1’s successor, the Z3, sometime this year.
According to SamMobile, the Z3 could be an improvement on the Z1 in just about every aspect, particularly the display. Whereas the Z1 packed a 4-inch, 480 x 800 pixel-resolution screen, the Z3 reportedly packs a 5-inch, 720 x 1,280 pixel Super AMOLED screen. Crucially, the Z3 also allegedly includes twice the amount of RAM with 1.5GB, where the Z1 only includes 768MB of RAM.
Taking a peek under the hood, the Z3 is reportedly powered by a 1.3GHz quad-core Spreadtrum SC7730S processor, which is quite an improvement from the Z1’s dual-core 1.2GHz processor. Keeping the lights on is a 2,600mAh battery, which will theoretically be enough to give the phone all-day battery life with adequate screen-on times.
Around the back, there’s an 8-megapixel camera with LED flash, and the front-facing snapper is a 5-megapixel camera. Unfortunately, the Z3 looks to only include 8GB of internal storage. If the Z3 is anything like the Z1, however, it will have a MicroSD card slot for expanding that small amount.
Speaking of slots, due to Samsung’s focus on the Indian market when it comes to Tizen, the Z3 looks to include dual-SIM card support. It’s unknown whether the Z3 itself will have 4G LTE capabilities, however, seeing as the Z1 only supported up to 3G connectivity.
Interestingly enough, the Z3 was reportedly sent to India for testing purposes and a “partnering event” recently, leading us to believe it could be announced during Samsung’s Indian Tizen Developer Summit later this month. Much like the Z1, the Z3 will likely be released in India, though further international availability is up in the air.
We will continue to update this hub as we receive more information.
