With the Apple Watch, users can make mobile payments using the Apple Pay feature by tapping their watch against the payment terminal. It’s an interesting concept and a convenient one as it will not require the user to take out their phone to make the payment. Well it looks like Samsung has similar plans as well.
According to a report from South Korea’s Electronic Times (via Reuters), word has it that Samsung is working on a new smartwatch that will offer up mobile payments as well. The feature will rely on NFC to make said payments, similar to the technology employed by Apple, and will also be based on the Samsung Pay system.
The alleged smartwatch is said to be planned for a launch later this year but no specific dates were mentioned, although given that Samsung typically makes product announcements at IFA which is happening this September, we suppose there is a good chance that more details about the device will be revealed then.
It has admittedly been a while since we last heard from Samsung regarding a wearable. Last year we were treated to a bevy of devices like the Gear Fit, Gear 2, and Gear 2 Neo, a mixture of devices running on Samsung’s custom watch OS and Android Wear. It is also unclear if this upcoming wearable will be an Android Wear device or if Samsung will continue to push their own operating system.
Filed in . Read more about Samsung, Samsung Pay, Smartwatch and Wearable Tech.