This week Google officially released Android Pay is the new wireless mobile payment solution that looks set to replace Google Wallet as the search giant takes over Apple Pay and Samsung Pay at the same time. There is a lot of confusion between the two about how they work or which is better. Below are a few key details about both.
Earlier this year at Google IO, Google gave users a quick look at Android Pay, demonstrating that the company strives to offer easy, safe and secure wireless mobile payments to all Android smartphone users. But Samsung likes to do things their own way and use another method that is even better.
Samsung Pay does pretty much everything Android Pay does and more, and works pretty much anywhere debit or credit cards are accepted, rather than just specific locations. Technically this is the better method, but only locked on certain Samsung devices while Android Pay works on all Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and above devices with NFC capabilities. Read on for all the details.
Starting this week, Google is updating the Google Wallet app on the Play Store to Android Pay, and users can start enjoying the service immediately as soon as they receive the update. It only works with certain banks, credit cards, and certain areas where Apple Pay or PayPass is accepted, and has a few limitations. The exciting aspect of Samsung Pay is that it bridges the gap between regular swipe methods and wireless payments like Google and Apple and does both. It’s a big deal and it’s something anyone with a new Samsung device should be excited about.
Samsung Pay was announced alongside the Galaxy S6 in March, but is not yet available to the majority of the public. However, it has excited many users and will be officially released in the United States on September 28. Samsung is currently a open Trial version for those who want early access and confirmed 20,000 sign ups per day.
What’s the Difference (How It Works)
Wireless mobile payments are extremely easy. When a user adds a credit or debit card to the account and phone, all you need is a smartphone to pay for goods while you’re out and about. This works at Gas Stations, Starbucks, select Pepsi and Coke vending machines, McDonald’s and thousands of retail stores in the United States. Below is an image showing a few of the many retail outlets that fully support Android Pay.
Simply pay at any store that accepts Android or Apple Pay (or you’ll see the WiFi-looking “PayPass” sign below and all the user has to do is launch Android Pay, tap the phone to the terminal, and that’s it. NFC (Near Field Communication) inside the phone The chip sends the information and completes the transaction. A password or signature may be required.
The image above is what you’re looking for to use Samsung or Android Pay with smartphones, but it may not be available on all terminals. Anywhere that accepts Apple Pay also works with Android and Samsung Pay, so look for that too.
Faucet. Pay. Go is what Google says and that’s exactly how it works. Extremely convenient, but not yet working everywhere.
Samsung Pay works on older swipe-based machines and new Wireless Payment terminals
However, Samsung Pay is the best solution of all and works everywhere. Samsung Pay uses the same NFC payment method as Google or Apple, but is also backwards compatible with regular swipe-based credit card machines (MST) that read the magnetic stripe on debit cards. Samsung has acquired a company called LoopPay and integrated it into the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge Plus.
This means that those who own one of the above devices and have been invited to Samsung Pay (or after September 28) can go to a wireless payment terminal or regular terminals in the United States by tapping a Samsung Galaxy or Note. It uses both methods, so it essentially works anywhere. I’ve been using Samsung Pay for the past two weeks and find it extremely convenient.
Swipe up on home or lock screen to instantly launch Samsung Pay
This makes Samsung Pay better than both Google’s and Apple’s method as it really works everywhere. I’ve used it more than 30 times in two weeks and it works in less than a second each time. Samsung Pay is also easier to access. Users can swipe up from the home screen to pay instead of opening the Android Pay appor lock screen with a small lip and launch it instantly, tap the fingerprint scanner for security and pay.
Android devices will need to enter a pin, password or pattern, and certain devices with a fingerprint scanner will have this ability, especially when Android 6.0 Marshmallow arrives later this year.
Android Pay
Starting September 10, all stores and hundreds of stores listed below support mobile payment methods from Apple, Android and Samsung. This is just a small list of initial launch partners and more to come soon.
Android Pay supports credit and debit cards of American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa. Google has confirmed that Citi and Wells Fargo will be available in the next few days or early next week, while Capitol One will be “soon.”
It’s also worth noting that banks like USAA, US Bank, Navy Federal Credit Union, many regional banks and more support Android Pay. But if your bank isn’t listed, Android Pay won’t work yet. Google has confirmed that they are busy working with more and more banks to gain access and get full support, but this list includes almost all currently supported options. More may be added on the way.
Samsung Pay
For those who want to enjoy the freedom that Samsung Pay offers, you’ll need one of the select new devices with full support, beta invite until September 28th, and currently only working with select credit cards and banks. But more will be added as soon as possible.
To participate in Samsung Pay, users must own a Samsung Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy Note 5 or Galaxy S6 Edge Plus and have a beta invite or wait for the aforementioned release date.
Above is a list of supported operators and credit cards. Users will also need an active Samsung account for security. It also works with Merrill Lynch consumer credit cards, US Trust consumer credit, debit cards, and Elan Financial consumer or small business Visa credit cards.
For now, Apple and Google have more banks that support payment solutions, but Samsung Pay works everywhere. We hope Samsung can continue to add more and more partners as this is the best method currently available.
Mobile payment is permanent, and now that Apple, Google, and Samsung all have options available to users, almost anyone can shop safely and securely with their Android smartphone or iPhone. For now, Samsung excels in backward compatibility, and we’ll update as soon as more banks, credit cards, and companies roll out to support wireless payments.
