First Tizen-powered phone by Samsung to launch by the end of Q2

Samsung expects the new Galaxy S5 flagship to outsell the Galaxy S4 despite the increasing competition in the high-end handset market, but the company also has plans to leave Google's Android behind and the first step has been taken with the introduction of the Tizen-powered Galaxy Gear 2 smartwatch at the end of last week. Next in line is the first smartphone loaded with Samsung's own mobile OS, which could hit the market in just a few months.

According to Yoon Han-kil, senior vice president of Samsung's product strategy team, the company is working on two Tizen smartphones and also aims to start selling third-party apps and services on its devices, a market area currently dominated by Google and Apple. The first handset will be a high-end device, while the other will be a mid-range smartphone and will be launched at a later time. 

Unfortunately, the first Tizen smartphone may not be launched globally as it happened with the Galaxy S5. "We had tried to launch (Tizen) with DoCoMo and Orange ... but couldn't because of poor market conditions. We have changed our strategy and will release the phones in a few countries where we can do well," said Yoon to Reuters.

Samsung will keep releasing Android devices as well, since a new Android smartwatch is expected for the last part of the year.