Samsung Pay FAQs: All You Should Know About the Latest Payment App

Here’s a look at how Samsung Pay works and whether it’s a good to switch to it.

It might have come post the demonetisation kick in India, but Samsung has finally launched its mobile payment solution, named Samsung Pay.

With this service, consumers in India can keep the debit/credit cards at home. Unlike other mobile payment options, Samsung Pay doesn’t require shop sellers to buy a new device. You can also avail its services across popular fast food outlets in the country.

Here’s everything you’d want to know about Samsung Pay.

How Does It Work?

Samsung Pay gets activated on your compatible Samsung device when updated to the latest Android version.

The Samsung Pay feature is available to users in India courtesy the Android 7.0 Nougat update.

But before this, here’s how you can add your debit/credit card to your phone:

• 1. Open the Samsung Pay app. Select Add, then add a credit card/debit card
• 2. Place your card (let it detect the card number and expiration date)
• 3. Put the remaining details manually and tap Next
  

Phones That Support Samsung Pay

• Samsung Galaxy S7
  
• Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
• Samsung Galaxy Note 5
  
• Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+
• Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017)
• Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
• Samsung Galaxy A7 (2016)
• Samsung Galaxy A6 (2016)

Samsung has missed the trick by not offering Samsung Pay support on mid-range devices like the Galaxy J5. 

Samsung Joins Hands With Paytm

Samsung has sensibly opted to partner with Paytm right now, with UPI banking integration to be introduced in the near future.

How Paytm via Samsung Pay works

1. Select Wallet on Samsung Pay app, add Paytm
2. Link to your existing wallet via mobile number
3. Scan QR code to pay
4. Show QR/OTP code
5. Pay via phone number through Paytm
6. You can create a Paytm wallet via Samsung Pay

Debit Card vs Samsung Pay

Most research analysts have observed that use of mobile banking is now higher than debit card and mobile wallets like Paytm and BHIM. And looking at brands that have associated with Samsung Pay, it’s clear that Samsung has done its homework over the past year, giving it the upper hand over solutions like Apple Pay and Android Pay .

Samsung Pay as a feature could have flourished in India, if its compatibility was extended to mid-range devices like the Samsung Galaxy J series. Also, one cannot be sure of how secure Samsung Pay is, no matter what Samsung claims with its Knox security software.

However, analysts accept that democratising Samsung Pay to all Android devices is the only way that the Korean brand could make the most of its first-move in this segment.

India is still predominantly a cash-centric economy, but going forward, with the blessings of the government, Samsung would be hoping that consumers also wouldn’t mind jumping onto this wagon.