Tizen delayed again as Samsung Z misses Russian launch

Samsung's first Tizen-based smartphone was slated to launch in Russia this week, but the company has once again decided to put those plans on hold at the last minute. They're still committed to the open source, standards-based software platform, but according to a statement, the phone will hit the Russian market 'when we can offer our users a fullest portfolio of applications.'

The device in question is known as the Samsung Z and features a 2.3GHz quad-core Intel processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage expandable through microSD, 8MP / 2MP rear and front-facing cameras, a 4.8-inch Super AMOLED display (1,280 x 720), a heart rate sensor and a fingerprint scanner.

Samsung originally planned to release the Z in Japan earlier this year before carrier NTT DoCoMo backed off citing a crowded field of competitors.

The Korean company already has a bit of experience with Tizen as the company's lineup of Gear smartwatches and some mirrorless cameras are already running the mobile OS. They also have a list of notable software partners and have run Tizen app contests to get more developers on board.

But as a few early impressions from Mobile World Congress showed, Tizen is essentially an Android clone without the vast software catalog and lacking integration with Google services. Getting the platform off the ground will be a monumental task -- one that even Microsoft with all its software expertise is still struggling to accomplish with Windows Phone.