The move is seen as a step towards building a software ecosystem to rival Google Android.

The Z1 device went on sale in India in Wednesday for $92, targeting first-time smartphone buyers. There is not much that can go wrong with Samsung's cheapest handset, it has a 4-inch display, a plastic body and a simplified user interface.

But it could be the day that everyone identifies that a major smartphone maker broke free of Google’s iron grip.

The Z1 can compete with low-price offerings by manufacturers like Micromax Infomatics in India. The price will also help convince first-time smartphone buyersto get used to a Tizen-powered phone, analysts said.

India is already the world's third-biggest market for smartphones, most consumers in the country do not yet own one of the devices, meaning the growth potential is huge.

A Samsung spokeswoman said the firm had not decided whether to launch the Z1 in any other countries. Samsung is however pushing to grow Tizen on other platforms such as televisions.

Samsung says more than 1,000 apps will be available for download in the Tizen Store - a tiny fraction of the number of offerings on Google Play. The Z1 comes with pre-installed apps and web links to services like Amazon.com, Flipkart, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Yahoo and YouTube.