Samsung Pay officially launches in the U.S.

The beta program of Samsung Pay began rolling out in the US on August 27th to a select few, but now Samsung’s mobile payments service is available to everyone. Everyone using a Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge+ and Galaxy Note 5 handset anyway.

In its first month of service, Samsung Pay has seen more than $30 million worth of transactions in South Korea, which is impressive considering the limited number of handsets that it’s compatible with.

The Samsung Pay service is compatible with AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and U.S. Cellular, while Verizon Wireless is currently not on board for some reason. Cards from the following financial institutions are supported:

• American Express
• Bank of America
• Citibank
• U.S. Bank
• Various merchant cards from Synchrony Financial – AutoZone, Bose, Boston Interiors, Exxon, John Eagle Toyota, Just Brakes, Meineke, Midas, Mobil, NAPA, Pearl Vision, Pep Boys, Plano Cycling & Fitness, Sleepy’s, Sunglass Hut, VCA Animal Hospitals

Samsung Pay can be used using NFC or MST at pay terminals. The most popular, MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission), emits a magnetic signal mimicking the magnetic strip found on your bank card, thus nullifying the need to actually physically swipe your card in the card reader. MST is said to be accepted at nearly all payment terminals and is as secure as using NFC to complete a transaction.

An added bonus if you are signing up with a Galaxy Note 5 or Galaxy S6 Edge+, is that you will receive a free wireless charger or flip case from Samsung just for activating Samsung Pay on your device. The offer runs until October 11th. Seeing as the service is free of charge, it seems like a great way to get your hands on a new accessory. Just remember that Samsung Pay doesn’t play nicely with rooted handsets.

Are you excited that Samsung Pay is now available to everyone*?

*Everyone using a 2015 Samsung flagship

Source: Samsung

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