Just a few weeks ago, Google officially launched Android Pay, the company’s new wireless mobile payment solution. Based on experts who sell electronics, Android Pay seems to replace Google Wallet, and take on Apple Pay and Samsung Pay all at once. At Google IO 2015, the company presented a quick intro of Android Pay. It displayed how the company explored ways to make effortless and secure wireless mobile payment solution to Android smartphone users.
On the other side of the coin, Samsung developed a personalized system and provide another mobile solution that many say is a lot better that its competition.
Android Pay
Android Pay works with credit and debit cards from major financial institutions like American Express, MasterCard, Visa and Discover. Google had recently confirmed that both Wells Fargo and Citi will join the bandwagon within the next few weeks while Capitol One will join the list in the near future.
It’s likewise important to note that banking institutions such as US Bank and Navy Federal Credit Union, as well as several local banks, support Android Pay. Google revealed they are busy dealing with several more financial institutions to obtain payment access and have a full Android Pay support.
Samsung Pay
If you wish to enjoy the flexibility Samsung Pay brings, you have to own at least one of these
Samsung devices:
Galaxy S6
Galaxy S6 Edge
Galaxy S6 Edge Plus
Galaxy Note 5
For security, you’re also required to have an active Samsung account. Samsung Pay works with U.S. Trust consumer credit cards, Merrill Lynch consumer credit cards,Elan Financial consumer or small business Visa credit cards, and select debit cards.
The Similarities and Differences
Wireless mobile payments are incredibly user-friendly. As soon as you input your credit or debit card information on your smartphone, all you need is your gadget to pay for certain goods and services. This type of payment works at various gasoline stations, coffee shops like Starbucks,
select cola (Coca-Cola and Pepsi) vending machines, fast-food chains like McDonald’s, and many retail shops across the US.
As per Google’s directive, all you need to do is: “Tap, Pay and Go.” This is exactly how Android Pay and Samsung Pay do the work. This is even the same way Apple Pay works. However, experts say that Samsung Pay is the best choice for wireless mobile payment because it works just about everywhere. It uses exactly the same NFC payment process as Google and Apple. But, only Samsung Pay uses the “backwards work” system used with regular swipe-based credit card machines that check and read a debit card’s magnetic strip.
The Verdict
Wireless mobile payments are not going anywhere. And now that three tech giants – Apple, Google and Samsung – provide available options for users, practically anyone with a gadget can shop easily, safely and securely. For the time being Samsung looks to have the advantage with its backwards compatibility. On the other hand, Google and Apple have significantly more financial institutions on board that promote and support their respective mobile payment solutions.
