At a time when most have already surrendered to Google’s Android Ecosystem, Samsung is one of those rare brands that continue investing on R&D for their own operating systems. Despite having a wide array of Android-based products in its portfolio, Samsung continues to believe in the potential of its Tizen OS, which is a significant building block of its Internet of Things (IoT) vision.
Tizen OS is already running on Samsung Smart TVs, wearables and a couple of entry level smartphones. And now, it has introduced Tizen OS based Z2 as an entry-level option priced at Rs. 4,590. I got the opportunity to spend some time with the device at the launch event and here’s my first impression of Samsung Z2.
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Samsung Z2 Specification and Features
| Model | Samsung Z2 |
| Display | 4-Inch, WVGA, LCD display |
| Processor | 1.5GHz QuadCore Chipset |
| RAM | 1GB |
| Internal Storage | 8GB (expandable via microSD card) |
| Software | Tizen OS 3.0 |
| Primary Camera | 5MP sensor, LED Flash |
| Secondary Camera | VGA Front-Facing Camera |
| Battery | 1,500 mAh |
| Others | Dual SIM, 4G LTE, Bluetooth, GPS, WIFI |
| Price | Rs. 4,590 |
The Samsung Z2 is a decent looking smartphone if you keep its price in mind. To some extent, it takes inspiration from Samsung’s own Galaxy On5. The face of the newly launched phone features a 4-inch display with selfie camera and speaker grill on top of the panel. There is a physical home button and two capacitive buttons, but they are not backlit. The removable rear panel made of plastic which has textured finish to ensure a firm grip.
Beneath the rear cover, there is a microSD card slot, removable battery, and dual micro SIM card slots. On the right edge there is a power button and on the left a volume rocker. Buttons are soft therefore at times it becomes slightly difficult to press them. With 10.8mm waists, it is for sure, not the slimmest phone around. Overall built quality of the phone is decent considering it’s an entry-level smartphone.
The phone features a 4-inch WVGA display that offers 800×400 pixels resolution. The display on the phone is at par with what you generally get in an entry level device. Viewing angles are not too great either. Touch was sensitive enough.
For performance, Z2 depends on a 1.5GHz Spectrum quad-core chipset coupled with 1GB of RAM and 8GB internal storage. The highlight of the phone is Samsung’s Tizen OS. It works well in this device which is aimed at buyers who are switching from feature phones to a smartphone. Understanding and navigating through the OS is easy thanks to its simple user interface. It comes loaded with a number of daily usage apps such as Whatsapp, Facebook, Truecaller, Opera Mini and others.
Samsung has also added features like Ultra Data Saving and S-Bike mode which it has developed for its Android Based smartphones. Samsung claims that Ultra Data Saving mode can help users save up to 40 percent data up to percent by killing unnecessary background apps. The new phone comes loaded with Samsung’s e-banking My Money app which allows users to check account balance, transfer money, and access mini account statement on the go. Samsung has partnered with Reliance Jio for 4G services. The Samsung Z2 comes loaded with complete Jio Apps bundle.
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The bottom line is that Samsung with Z2 is trying to lure feature phone users to upgrade to a smartphone. The Z2 offers almost all the features a smartphone has to offer, and more importantly, offers Samsung branding at an unprecedented price. In my initial impression, the Samsung Z2 appears to be a decent entry-level phone and the Reliance Jio offer further sweetens the pot.
