Samsung's Z4 is a 4G Tizen handset for smartphone first-timers

Samsung has unveiled the Z4 smartphone, powered by its alternative to Android, the Tizen operating system.

The new phone expands its family of Tizen devices, which include Samsung TVs, Galaxy Gear smartwatches and connected 'things' like digital signage systems.

Samsung's recently Z line of Tizen phones have been mid-range and only available in some markets, such as India and the impact of Tizen has been tiny compared to Android or iOS. However, Tizen is showing promise in on smartwatches, overtaking Android Wear with a 19 percent share of Q1 2017 shipments, ahead of Google's 18 percent (both are overshadowed by the Apple Watch).

The Z4, Samsung's fourth Tizen phone, is once again a mid-range phone that will launch in India first.

The 4G phone is running Tizen 3.0, and comes with a 1.5 GHz quad core processor, 1GB RAM, and a 4.5-inch WVGA display at a 480 x 800 pixel resolution. It's also got a five megapixel camera with flash on the front and rear, a 2,050 mAh battery, and two SIM slots. Samsung doesn't say how much onboard storage is available.

DJ Koh, president of the mobile communications business at Samsung Electronics said the Z4 "represents our ongoing commitment to expanding the Tizen ecosystem".

Samsung launched the modestly specced Z1 in January 2015, which sold reasonably well in the sub-$100 market there. Last year's Z2 became its first 4G Tizen phone with similar specs to the new Z4, but with a smaller, four-inch, screen.

More recently Samsung released an enterprise mobility management platform for Tizen wearables.

Samsung hasn't revealed pricing details yet but says the model will be available in black, gold, and silver, depending on each market.

The phone will be on show at the Tizen Developer conference in San Francisco next week.