Here’s the thing: The age of smart payment systems is here. And Samsung Pay vs Google Pay debate has only heightened over time. We use our smartphones in every little thing that we do every day. These devices help us in our daily tasks, schoolwork, job assignments, and more. And now, we can even use our Android phones to transfer money and pay for the products and services we purchase. How? Well, there are digital wallet applications you can download on your Android phones that give these perks to users. But, there are a lot of these apps available in the App Store. So in this article, we will discuss two virtual wallet apps, Samsung Pay and Google Pay, to know which is perfect for you. So how are we going to discuss these services? The Google Pay vs Samsung Pay comparison is going to be very straightforward. Because let us be honest, both services serve the ultimate purpose of allowing you to pay quickly using your smartphones. We have already discussed Android Pay vs. Apple Pay in a previous article, so in this article, we focused on the main differences between these Android payment systems. Now, if you want to know which between Samsung Pay and Google Pay is the most suitable for you, without further ado, let us get to it.
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What are these “Pays”?
In layman’s terms, these are apps that you can download and install on your smartphone, which requires you to enter your credit card or bank information and then use it to make over-the-counter payments. However, not all stores have the option of utilizing these. But, what makes these smart payments smart? Google Pay and Samsung Pay allow you to go completely cashless or carry very little cash. The methods may vary between the two, but the basic concept of taking your smartphone to make payments remains the same across both services.
What is Google Pay?
Google Pay, owned and developed by Google, is a digital wallet platform and online payment system. It empowers in-app and tap-to-pay purchases on mobile devices, enabling users to make payments with Android phones, tablets, or watches that are supported and uses NFC. Amazing, right? Google Pay, formerly known as Android Pay, was first launched in 2015. There was already a version of payments implemented by Google called Google Wallet, and Android Pay was its natural evolution. However, it also remained in service until Google decided to merge them.
What is Samsung Pay?
Similar to Google Pay, Samsung Pay is also a mobile payment and digital wallet service developed by Samsung Electronics and is exclusive to Samsung devices. This service lets users make payments using compatible phones and other Samsung-produced devices. Samsung Pay was initially launched in South Korea in August 2015 and eventually came to the USA a few weeks later and then saw a release in Australia in June 2016. There are a lot of different regions that don’t support Samsung Pay at all, so it is a minimal service as of now.
Behind the Scenes
Interestingly, smartphones have become one of the media of transactions. Although technically, it still uses your credit card or bank account to make purchases. So how does each of these “pay” work?
How does Google Pay Work?
Google Pay uses NFC technology to interact with point-of-sale devices that support NFC technology. You’ll have to download the app, register your credit card, and to use it, tap your smartphone on the machine, to make the payment. Easy, right? Google Pay works by facilitating a tokenization process in which a token acts as a stand-in for a customer’s actual credit and debit card numbers and information to protect your account information.
How does Samsung Pay work?
This part is where Samsung differs a bit. Sure, it can also use NFC technology built on your smartphone to make payments. But, even if the point-of-sale machine does not support NFC technology, you’ll be able to do payments thanks to MST technology that the latest Samsung smartphones have. MST or “Magnetic Secure Transmission” interacts directly with the machine and allows you to make payments, which is very similar to credit card transactions. Also, Samsung Pay uses tokenization, and you authorize transactions with a PIN, fingerprint, and eye scans. After numerous failed attempts to authenticate, Samsung Pay erases all the data in your card to prevent unauthorized use.
Point to Point Comparison: Samsung Pay vs Google Pay
You might find yourself asking, “Which is better? Google Pay or Samsung Pay?” Comparing Google Pay and Samsung Pay is inevitable, mainly because they offer similar services. The chart below will give you an overview of each method’s performance based on specific criteria. This is our detailed point by point comparison of Samsung Pay vs Google Pay
Samsung Pay vs Google Pay
Take a look at the below infographic and get a glimpse of Samsung Pay vs Google Pay. Let’s discuss the last three points on the table:
1. Payment Technology
Here’s the thing: Samsung Pay creates a magnetic field similar to your credit card but can outdo the swiping motion we usually do with our credit cards. All you need to do is take your smartphone near to the point-of-sale machine, and that’s about it. There is an MST antenna built into the latest Samsung smartphones that can trick the magnetic strip card readers into believing that you are swiping a card. It can do that by creating a magnetic field for a short amount of duration. Still… This feature is only available in Australia and the US, which means that Samsung Pay has a very distinct advantage over Google Pay in the US and Australia. However, if you are in the UK, there is no advantage of using Samsung Pay because there are already contactless terminals installed there.
2. Compatibility
When it comes to compatibility, Samsung is at a big drawback because Google Pay works with almost any Android smartphone that has NFC built-in. Meanwhile, Samsung Pay is available to Samsung devices only. You see: This payment method depends on the popularity of their smartphones, which is significant, of course, but it is nowhere near the reach of Android itself. Many Android smartphones come with NFC technology. Many other manufacturers are coping up with Samsung in terms of sales. Chinese companies like Huawei, Oppo, and Xiaomi are selling millions of smartphones each year. And almost all the smartphones they release come with NFC technology, meaning that Google Pay wins when it comes to compatibility. So in the battle of Samsung Pay vs Google Pay for longevity, Google Pay is the clear winner considering the rate at which NFC technology is growing around the world.
3. Longevity
While the MST technology on Samsung smartphones is remarkable, NFC is becoming the universal norm rapidly. It is already trendy in the UK and other European countries, so the relevance of MST will dwindle over time as the world adapts NFC technology more and more. In a few years, almost every point-of-sale machine could come with NFC technology to make payments more manageable. Yes, Samsung can also make payments via NFC technology, but so can Google Pay, and it is available on more devices overall.
Samsung Pay – Samsung Galaxy S10+
If you wish to use Samsung Pay, you need to have the supported devices. If you’re new to Samsung Pay and are willing to purchase Samsung devices for you to be able to use it, then we highly recommend getting a Samsung Galaxy S10+.
Google Pay – Google Pixel 4
On the other hand, if you want something that is supported by more countries and is backed up by the biggest tech company, Google, then Google Pay is the service for you. With Google Pay, you can use it on any Android smartphone devices that have a built-in NFC. Although, if you genuinely want to enjoy the full potential of Android and Google Pay, then getting a Google Pixel 4 Android smartphone is the way to go. With Google Pixel 4 smartphone, you can enjoy the authentic experience of Android without that unwanted bloatware that comes from other brands. Furthermore, smartphones that run on pure Android are the ones that get the Android update first before anyone else. Suggested reads: How to Use Android Pay with PayPal How to Fix Android Pay That’s Not Working: A Simple Guide How to use Android Pay with and without NFC
To Sum It All Up
The comparison of Samsung Pay vs Google Pay becomes a lot easier when we lay down all the cards on the table. All though at the end of the day, it will all go down to individual preferences and certain factors such as the phone you are using right now, country of residence, and more.
Verdict: Samsung Pay vs Google Pay
If you have a Samsung device and your country hasn’t caught up on NFC technology yet, Samsung Pay is the obvious choice.If you have any Android device that has NFC enabled and your country has a lot of point-of-sale machines that support NFC, then Google Pay is the best choice.
Hopefully, this simple Google Pay vs. Samsung Pay comparison will help you choose the best payment method for yourself. Both are entirely free to use, and you can keep both services on your Samsung smartphones. Of course, Google Pay is your only option for non-Samsung smartphones. Before choosing which method to use, make sure to check if your bank or card is compatible with the service. You wouldn’t want to find your bank incompatible with your payment service, right? What are your thoughts on these payment methods? Which one of the services appeals to you the most? And who do you think is the winner in Samsung Pay vs Google Pay? Do tell us in the comment section. Featured Image Credits Suggested Reads: What to do when Google Pay payment fails? (Full Guide) Who Accepts Google Pay? (A General List) How to Use Google Pay [Android Pay] in Store
