Samsung's mobile payment system Samsung Pay launched in the United States on Monday, Sept. 28.
Like Apple Pay and Android Pay from Google, Samsung Pay allows users to make online as well as in-store purchases where NFC-based payments are accepted by just holding the smartphone near the terminal, swiping up and scanning their fingerprint to pay.
Samsung Pay previously rolled out in Korea on Aug. 20, and was preloaded on select Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Galaxy Note 5 devices. While select users were able to participate in the beta trial that kicked off on Aug. 25, all Samsung users in the States can now use the mobile payment system.
Samsung Pay works with most point-of-sale terminals, making it the mobile payment service that works in essentially any establishment that accepts credit or debit cards.
"Samsung Pay works with almost any card terminal from day one and Galaxy owners can shop with a wallet they never knew was always in their hands," Injong Rhee, EVP of Samsung Electronics and Global Head of Samsung Pay, said in a press release. "As the leader in innovation, Samsung is proud to introduce the first mobile payment solution that allows you to pay almost anywhere you can swipe or tap your card today."
However, users need the latest Samsung devices such as the Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge+ or Note 5 from major carriers including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, or US Cellular. Samsung Pay is only available on new devices since smartphones prior to 2014 are not equipped with the technology to support its magnetic secure transmission (MST) technology.
The user also will need a credit or debit card issued by the major names participating such as American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa, or through major banks including Bank of America, Chase, and U.S. Bank to be able to use Samsung Pay. Over time, more partnerships are expected.
Samsung Pay is already at more than 500,000 users who signed up before it made its debut in the U.S., thanks to its successful South Korean launch.
Via: Samsung
