Samsung Pay is now official for India and you could also register for the ‘Samsung Pay early access program’ if you own a Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 edge+ or the Galaxy A5 (2016) and Galaxy A7 (2016). New and upcoming devices will also support the feature but none of the other existing ones will.
Samsung Pay basically allows you to store all your debit and credit cards in your phone and then to pay at physical terminals using your Samsung phone.
Well, that’s not completely true. For now, the service will work only with Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, SBI (only credit card), Standard Chartered Bank cards. Citibank and American Express cards will also be added to the list soon.
But all that means squat if your next door vendor doesn’t have a potent terminal to accept payment through your phones. Right? Well, Samsung has got you covered on that front too.
Unlike Apple pay and Android pay, Samsung Pay is designed to work at MST terminals or any credit card machine that allows you to swipe magnetic cards. Which is about all card machines in India, since there still are loads of chip-less cards under circulation.
So, even at launch, numerous vendors in India will be already equipped to accept Samsung Pay.
If you own any of the above-mentioned Galaxy phones, simply head to the Samsung Pay official page and register yourself to gain early access.
Anurag