Tizen, Samsung’s in-house operating system, has had a long history of disappointment. Earlier this year, the company was supposed to have released a smartphone with the OS in Russia and Japan; neither happened. While the OS currently powers two of Samsung’s smart watches, it has not been introduced in a smartphone yet.

This appears to be changing, with Samsung expected to announce the launch of the Z1 Tizen smartphone in India. India remains the largest opportunity for growth in the low-cost segment, and the Z1 is expected to be released at a price point below US$100, thought to be the sweet spot for budget smartphones in the country. The device is expected to be competitive in features with similar products, and will include the dual-SIM capability popular in the market.

It remains to be seen if the OS can gain traction in any market, however, and the move could suggest that the company is trying to vertically integrate its smartphone division entirely. Already building their own wireless radios and chipsets, Samsung seems to be experimenting with Tizen to see if the software can also be a viable option.