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First BlackBerry, now Tizen: Android alternatives are less viable than before
August 05, 2025
Tizen and BlackBerry are already dead platforms walking, but they’ve suffered mortal blows that make them virtually impossible to use as alternatives to Android.
Tizen Helpreports (h/t:GSMArena) thatSamsungshut down the Tizen app store for smartphones from June 11, 2025. The app store was restricted to existing users from June 2021, but the shutdown means even existing consumers will need to look elsewhere.
Tizen wasn’t a popular smartphone platform by any measure, with Samsung’s Galaxy Z series of Tizen phones last seeing a release in 2017. So it’s not a surprise to see Samsung taking this route, but it does mark the end of an era. The platform actually saw more success in the smartwatch arena, but the Korean manufacturer is now embracingWear OS 3instead.
BlackBerry suffers mortal blows too
Last week also saw another blow for those hanging onto phones with alternative platforms, as BlackBerry OS devices reached end-of-life status. BlackBerryannouncedthat, as of June 14, 2025, legacy services for BlackBerry OS 7.1 and earlier, BlackBerry 10, and PlayBook OS will no longer be available. These legacy services include data, phone calls, emergency calls, and SMS.
Tizen and BlackBerry 10 join old Android rivals like BadaOS, Windows Phone, MeeGo, and WebOS in falling to the wayside.
In fact, the only notable Android alternative still around (aside from iOS and custom ROMs) is the Sailfish OS platform. But this project is only available on a few phones and requires you to spend €49.90 (~$57) to gain access to Android app support and firmware updates.
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