Samsung has unveiled its first smartphone running the Tizen operating system, as the firm looks to reduce its reliance on the Google controlled Android platform.
The Samsung Z was debuted at the Tizen Developer Conference, and runs the open source OS based on the Linux kernel, which has been developed in conjunction with Intel.
The smartphone has similar specifications to the firm's Galaxy range, including a 4.8in Super Amoled HD display, 2.3GHz quad-core processor, 8-megapixel, 16GB of storage and micro SD support.
Samsung has also ported across high-end features it introduced in the Galaxy S5, including the Ultra Power Saving Mode, Download Booster, Fingerprint sensor and S Health app.
Running Tizen 2.2.1, Samsung claims the Z smartphone will provide the fastest startup times to date as well as support for multitasking and 3D graphics. The South Korean firm is also touting smoother scrolling and faster rendering when it comes to web browsing.
Samsung and Google have reportedly been at loggerheads over the use of Android, as the former is said to have irked the search giant over the number of customisations it has made with its TouchWiz interface.
The cracks in the relationship are said to have widened after Google purchased smartphone firm Motorola in 2012, although many industry watchers believed the acquisition was made primarily for the patents. Google has since sold Motorola to Lenovo for just under $3 billion.
Despite the hugely popular Samsung Galaxy range of devices, the vendor appears keen to broaden its portfolio of mobile devices. Samsung has previously tried to do this with its in-house "Bada" operating system, but this failed to catch on. Samsung appears more confident in Tizen, having switched its smartwatches from Android over to the newer operating system.
The Samsung Z will be available in Q3 in Russia, with other countries expected to follow. However, no pricing details have been announced.
